The Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) is the certificate awarded to students completing their
secondary schooling in
Queensland
)
, nickname = Sunshine State
, image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg
, map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name = Australia
, established_title = Before federation
, establishe ...
. The QCE was introduced in 2008, to replace the Senior Certificate. It is currently issued by the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA).
Structure
The Queensland Certificate of Education is generally awarded to students completing Year 12, though alternative avenues of study are available.
All Queensland courses of study are awarded credits, which can contribute towards a QCE. These courses are divided into:
* Core courses
* Preparatory courses
* Enrichment courses
* Advanced courses
Core courses are the most common form of education undertaken in Years 11 and 12 and include both Authority and Authority-registered subjects. Authority subjects are those whose syllabuses are maintained by the QSA and whose results contribute to a student's
Australian Tertiary Admission Rank
The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is the primary criterion for domestic student entry into undergraduate courses in Australian public universities. It was gradually introduced to most states and territories in 2009–10 and has sinc ...
(ATAR), which is the ranking used for entrance to tertiary education institutions, whereas Authority-registered subjects are developed from a Study Area Specification. Authority-registered subjects do not contribute to the ATAR of a student. Preparatory and Enrichment courses are commonly
Vocational Education and Training
Vocational education is education that prepares people to work as a technician or to take up employment in a skilled craft or trade as a tradesperson or artisan. Vocational Education can also be seen as that type of education given to an i ...
(VET) qualifications, which often result in
Certificate qualifications. Advanced courses are often university subjects completed alongside a student's regular secondary schooling.
Assessment
Students are assessed based upon the subjects which they undertake. A student's final grade is given as a Level of Achievement, of which there are five grades:
* Very High Achievement (VHA), roughly equivalent to an "A"
* High Achievement (HA), roughly equivalent to a "B"
* Sound Achievement (SA), roughly equivalent to a "C"
* Limited Achievement (LA), roughly equivalent to a "D"
* Very Limited Achievement (VLA), roughly equivalent to an "E"
Each of these achievement levels are split into 10 rungs, to further differentiate the achievement of individual students. A VHA10 is the highest mark a student can achieve for a subject and a VLA1 is the lowest. These marks, along with the weighting of subjects (determined by students' academic performance in the
Queensland Core Skills Test
The Queensland Core Skills Test, commonly referred to as the QCS Test or simply QCS, was a statewide test formerly completed by all Queensland year twelve students who were eligible for an Overall Position, and was optional (but beneficial) for t ...
) is responsible in determining a students ATAR.
Award
In order to be awarded a QCE, a student must be awarded at least 20 credits from their studies, in which at least 12 credits must come from Core courses. Core courses not fully completed may also contribute some credits, however the level of achievement must be at least a Sound Achievement (or Pass).
In addition, a student must pass the literacy and numeracy requirements. Even if failing to receive a QCE at the end of Year 12, a student may continue to work towards one, though credits expire after nine years.
A student's result in the Queensland Core Skills Test also appears on their QCE as a letter grade.
See also
*
Education in Australia
Education in Australia encompasses the sectors of early childhood education (preschool) and primary education (primary schools), followed by secondary education (high schools), and finally tertiary education, which includes higher education (un ...
*
Overall Position
The Overall Position (OP) was a tertiary entrance rank used in Queensland, Australia to guide selection into universities. Like similar systems used throughout the rest of Australia, the OP shows how well a student has performed in their senior s ...
*
Senior External Examination
References
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External links
Queensland Certificate of Education - Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (formally the Queensland Studies Authority)
Australian Certificate of Education
Education in Queensland
School qualifications