Glossary
P A G E 7 | P A K E N H A M S E C O N D A R Y C O L L E G E S E N I O R S C H O O L 2 0 2 5 H A N D B O O K
COMMON ASSESSMENT TASKS
Pieces of work that are undertaken over a
designated period of time, and are graded to
determine the student’s level of performance.
ATAR
Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank. A rank
that is generated from a student’s result. This
rank is used by most tertiary institutions as a
primary criterion for selection purposes.
GAT
A general knowledge examination, undertaken
by all students who are studying any Unit 3 &
4 sequence. The GAT is used by VCAA as a
means of verifying grades.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Learning Outcomes are the basis for
satisfactory completion of VCE units. There
are 2 to 4 Learning Outcomes per unit.
Learning Outcomes define what students will
know and be able to do as a result of
undertaking a study.
PREREQUISITE SUBJECTS
These are units that must be satisfactorily
completed before the student is eligible for
selection into specific tertiary courses.
Students should check prerequisites with the
relevant institutions before finalising their VCE
course selection.
SAC
School Assessed Coursework are assessment
tasks that are specified in a study design and
set by subject teachers which students must
satisfactorily complete. This work is completed
in class and will be assessed by your subject
teacher.
SAT
School Assessed Tasks are completed
in subjects that produce a product or
model. This Unit 3 & 4 work receives a
grade from A+ to UG based on the
quality of the work. The work is marked
internally, according to VCAA
specifications, and is confirmed
externally.
STUDY SCORE
A study score shows how well you have
performed in a study at Unit 3 and 4
level, compared to everybody else in
Victoria who took that study. Study
scores calculated by the VCAA will be
used by the Victorian Tertiary
Admissions Centre (VTAC) to calculate
the ATAR. The maximum study score is
50.
UNIT
A self-contained study of approximately
one semester’s length.
VCAA
Victorian Curriculum and Assessment
Authority
VCE
Victorian Certificate of Education
VET
Vocational Education and Training
Studies
VTAC
The Victorian Tertiary Admissions
Centre