Ep 91 - Do Year 11 Results Matter in VCE?

Do Year 11 results matter? Do your Year 11 SACs count towards your ATAR? And how important are your Unit 1&2 results?

Starting VCE can be confusing, particularly when you're trying to work out which results matter and what will actually contribute to your ATAR.

You might be wondering:

Do my Year 11 results count towards my ATAR?
Do Year 11 SACs matter?
Do Units 1&2 results affect my ATAR?
Do I need to pass every SAC?
How important are Unit 1&2 results for doing well in Year 12?

The answer is a little more nuanced than simply saying that "Year 11 doesn't matter."

In this episode of Course and Career Chat, I explain what you actually need to focus on in Year 11 and why understanding the difference between Year 11, Year 12, Units 1&2 and Units 3&4 is so important.

Do Year 11 results count towards your ATAR?

For most students, the important distinction is between Units 1&2 and Units 3&4, rather than simply Year 11 and Year 12.

Your Units 3&4 studies are the studies that contribute to your ATAR. Your Unit 1&2 results do not directly contribute to your ATAR calculation.

However, that doesn't mean you can ignore Units 1&2.

To receive your VCE, you need to satisfactorily complete the required VCE units, and your Unit 1&2 studies can also provide important preparation for Units 3&4.

Do Year 11 SACs matter?

Your Year 11 SAC results don't directly contribute to your ATAR in the way your Units 3&4 assessments do.

But this doesn't mean that SACs in Year 11 are pointless.

SACs can help you develop the knowledge, skills and study strategies you'll need for Year 12. They can also give you useful feedback about how well you understand the subject and where you might need additional support.

Rather than worrying about whether a particular Year 11 SAC will affect your ATAR, think about what you can learn from the experience.

What is the difference between Year 11, Year 12, Units 1&2 and Units 3&4?

VCE terminology can be confusing because we often talk about "Year 11 subjects" and "Year 12 subjects", but VCE studies are actually divided into units.

Generally:

Units 1&2 are usually studied in Year 11.
Units 3&4 are usually studied in Year 12.
Units 1&2 do not directly contribute to your ATAR.
Units 3&4 are the units used in calculating your ATAR.

There can be exceptions to the usual Year 11/Year 12 pattern, particularly when students accelerate a study or complete a Unit 3&4 sequence earlier.

That's why it's more accurate to ask whether you're talking about Units 1&2 or Units 3&4, rather than simply whether something happened in Year 11 or Year 12.

Do you need to pass every Year 11 SAC?

Not necessarily.

One of the things that can cause unnecessary stress for students is thinking that they need to "pass" every SAC in order to pass a VCE unit.

VCE is based on whether you have satisfactorily completed the outcomes required for a unit. Your school determines whether you receive an S for a unit based on the requirements of the study and the evidence available to them.

So, getting a disappointing result on one SAC doesn't automatically mean that you have failed the unit.

The important thing is to understand what your school requires and to make sure you're meeting the outcomes for each unit.

Why are Units 1&2 important if they don't count towards the ATAR?

There are several reasons why you should still take Units 1&2 seriously.

1. They can provide the foundation for Units 3&4.

In some VCE subjects, the knowledge and skills you develop in Units 1&2 are directly relevant to what you'll study in Units 3&4.

If you don't understand the foundations, you may find Year 12 considerably more difficult.

2. They give you an opportunity to develop your study skills.

Year 11 is a chance to work out how you learn best, how to manage your workload and how to prepare for assessments.

Making mistakes in Year 11 is much less costly than discovering in Year 12 that your study habits aren't working.

3. They can help you work out whether a subject is right for you.

You don't need to have your entire career planned before starting VCE.

Your experience in Units 1&2 can give you useful information about what you enjoy, what you're good at and what you don't want to continue.

4. They help you prepare for Units 3&4.

Even though your Unit 1&2 results aren't directly used to calculate your ATAR, the skills and knowledge you develop can have a significant impact on how prepared you are for your Unit 3&4 studies.

What about subjects where Units 1&2 aren't required?

Not every VCE subject works in exactly the same way.

There are subjects where the content in Units 3&4 is substantially different from Units 1&2. These are often the types of subjects where schools may allow students to accelerate, meaning they complete a Unit 3&4 sequence earlier without first completing Units 1&2.

Whether this is possible depends on the subject, your school and your individual circumstances.

So, do Year 11 results really matter?

Yes—but probably not for the reason you think.

Your Year 11 results don't directly become part of your ATAR simply because they're Year 11 results.

Instead, Year 11 is an important opportunity to:

Satisfactorily complete your Units 1&2
Build the foundations you'll need for Units 3&4
Develop effective study habits
Learn how VCE assessment works
Identify areas where you need additional support
Work out which subjects you enjoy and want to continue
Start making informed decisions about your future pathway

So rather than asking "Will this Year 11 mark count towards my ATAR?", a more useful question is:

"What can I learn from this experience that will help me succeed in Units 3&4 and make good decisions about my future?"

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Year 11 results count towards your ATAR in Victoria?

Year 11 results from Units 1&2 do not directly contribute to the calculation of your ATAR. Your ATAR is calculated using your eligible Unit 3&4 studies. However, you need to satisfactorily complete the required VCE requirements to receive a VCE and therefore an ATAR.

Do Year 11 SACs count towards your ATAR?

Year 11 SAC results from Units 1&2 do not directly contribute to your ATAR. However, Year 11 assessments are still useful for developing the knowledge and skills you'll need for your Unit 3&4 studies.

Do I need to pass every SAC in Year 11?

No. VCE assessment is not simply a matter of passing or failing every individual SAC. What matters is whether you satisfactorily complete the outcomes required for the unit, according to your school's requirements and the VCE study design.

Are Units 1&2 important?

Yes. Although Units 1&2 don't directly contribute to your ATAR, they can be important preparation for Units 3&4. They can also help you develop study skills, understand how VCE works and decide whether particular subjects are right for you.

Can I do a Unit 3&4 subject without doing Units 1&2?

In some circumstances, yes. Some VCE subjects can be accelerated, and some schools may allow students to complete a Unit 3&4 sequence without first completing Units 1&2. This depends on the subject, the school and the student's circumstances.

Is Year 11 easier than Year 12?

Not necessarily. Year 11 is different from Year 12, and the workload and expectations can vary between students and subjects. One of the benefits of Year 11 is that it gives you an opportunity to develop the skills and habits you'll need before undertaking your Unit 3&4 studies.

What should I focus on in Year 11?

Focus on satisfactorily completing your Units 1&2, understanding your subjects, developing effective study habits and building the knowledge and skills you'll need for Units 3&4. It's also a good time to explore your interests and start thinking about possible future courses and careers.