Back to VCAA Bulletin No. 53 - October 2019
2019 Written examination instructions and other materials
Information and materials to assist students preparing to sit the 2019 end-of-year VCE written examinations are now available. These materials include sample front covers, relevant instructions, multiple-choice answer sheets, data books, formula sheets and covers of answer books for relevant examinations. A summary of those examinations, with new examination specifications and changed examination formats for 2019, has also been provided. Note that there is an updated version of the examination specifications for the VCE Theatre Studies and VCE Texts and Traditions written examinations.
Teachers should ensure that students are aware of approved materials, examination formats and instructions, and understand how to complete multiple-choice answer sheets and answer books. Students should practise these procedures before their examinations. The webpage also includes an 'Examinations frequently asked questions' document for students. Any queries about materials should be directed to VCE Examinations: (03) 9032 1789 or examinations.vcaa@edumail.vic.gov.au.
Refer to Notice to Schools 116/2019.
Approved materials for VCE examinations
Information about materials and equipment authorised for use in VCE written examinations is available in the authorised materials section of the VCE Examinations and Assessment webpage.
2019 VCE written examinations observation visits
A VCAA appointed senior project officer may attend schools to observe the conduct and administration of any VCE written examination.
2019 Derived Examination Score applications and Emergency Special Examination Arrangements
VCE Coordinators and VASS Administrators must ensure they are aware of the 2019 requirements for submitting Derived Examination Score and/or Emergency Special Examination Arrangements applications.
Refer to Notice to Schools 106/2019.
Use of technology in 2020 VCE Mathematics examinations
The VCAA monitors developments in calculator, software and related technology and annually publishes details of approved technology for use in VCE Mathematics examinations for the forthcoming year in the October issue of the VCAA Bulletin.
Approved calculators or software may be used in specified mathematics examinations, as applicable. If there are doubts about whether a particular calculator or software is approved, schools should contact VCE Examinations, preferably at the beginning of the course.
In specified examinations, a scientific calculator may also be used. A scientific calculator does not have graphic, symbolic or programming capability. It does not have extended memory capable of storing text and/or symbols. For further information, contact VCE Examinations: examinations.vcaa@edumail.vic.gov.au.
Conditions of use
The conditions under which all calculators may be used are as follows:
- The calculator must be silent and of the hand-held type, containing its own power source.
- Students will be entirely responsible for ensuring adequate power supply to their calculators and the proper working order of their calculators.
- Students must supply their own spare batteries or ensure calculator batteries are fully charged; any battery failure or other fault that limits the usefulness of a calculator during an examination will not be taken into consideration by the assessors.
- No student may borrow a calculator from another student after entering the examination room.
Other technology
Other technology, such as computers, laptops, tablets and iPads, can be used only with the prior approval of the VCAA.
Use of calculators and software
In 2020, either one approved CAS calculator or one approved CAS software may be used for Further Mathematics Examination 1, Further Mathematics Examination 2, Mathematical Methods Examination 2 and Specialist Mathematics Examination 2.
One scientific calculator may also be used for Further Mathematics Examination 1, Further Mathematics Examination 2, Mathematical Methods Examination 2 and Specialist Mathematics Examination 2.
No calculators or software of any kind are permitted for Mathematical Methods Examination 1 and Specialist Mathematics Examination 1.
Approved CAS calculators
In 2020, the following CAS calculators are approved by the VCAA for use in Further Mathematics Examination 1, Further Mathematics Examination 2, Mathematical Methods Examination 2 and Specialist Mathematics Examination 2. The full functions of approved CAS calculators may be used; that is, the memory on these calculators do not require clearing prior to entry to the examination.
- Casio – Algebra or ClassPad series
- Hewlett Packard – HP 40/48/49/50 or HP Prime series
- Texas Instruments – TI 89/92/Voyager or TI-Nspire CAS series.
Approval for CAS software
Schools that wish for students to use CAS software for any of Further Mathematics Examination 1, Further Mathematics Examination 2, Mathematical Methods Examination 2 and Specialist Mathematics Examination 2 must apply in writing to the VCAA for approval.
For approved schools only, students are permitted to use one of Casio ClassPad Manager, HP Prime Emulator, Mathematica, Maple, MATLAB or TI-Nspire, and files of that software type stored on a USB, for these examinations, provided that they meet VCAA specifications for the conduct of computer-assisted examinations. For further information, contact VCAA Assessment Operations: vcaa.assessment.operations@edumail.vic.gov.au.