5 things that don't matter in VCE

Year 12 is a very important part of your schooling career. Here are 5 things that aren't as important:

The GAT:

The 'General achievement test' (GAT) is a test which all students enrolled in a unit 3/4 subject have to take. It usually occurs midway through the year (in 2024 it will be held Tuesday 18th June). The GAT is:

• 3 hours long, and tests your Literacy, Numeracy and Humanities skills

• Allows VCAA to compare the capability of a cohort with their SAC marks, and determine the relative difficulty of a specific school's SACs.

The results of the GAT will NOT affect your ATAR, except in the following two instances:

• If you apply for a Derived exam score (DES). If sudden illness or personal trauma should cause you to miss the final exam for any subject, then VCAA will use your GAT scores and SAC ranking to estimate what you most likely would have scored on the exam, and then calculate your study score. Pro tip: do NOT miss the final exam, even if you think you did amazing on the GAT. 

• If you do really bad in your exam, but really well on the corresponding GAT section. This tells VCAA that you were just having a bad day during the exam, and they have your GAT scores as proof that you are proficient at that subject. In such a situation, your study score will likely be adjusted to consider your GAT marks as well.

Overall however, the GAT will make no difference to most people's ATAR's. There is no need to study for the GAT. However, approach the test with confidence, and try your best. A lot of people who miss exams did not initially intend to do so, as the circumstances which may result in a derived exam score happen suddenly, and could happen to anybody (even you).

One bad SAC:

Even students who get 99+ ATARs experience unsatisfactory marks sometimes.

The key is to remember that VCAA doesn't care about your SAC marks. It is your SAC ranking that matters.

Personally, I received a 65% on one of my methods SAC's, but still ended up with a scaled 46 study score.

Know that one bad SAC mark in the grand scheme of things is really not significant. Sure, it might push you down the ranks a bit, but there is nothing stopping you from compensating in the next SAC. 

However, you will only be able to bounce back if you do not let this bad mark overcome you. Once something is outside your control, pondering upon it will not help. 

There is no point crying over spilt milk.

Focus on what you CAN change, and work for the future.

One bad subject:

Did you know that your ATAR is calculated using your top 4 subjects, and only 10% of your bottom 2 subjects?

This means that if you are really struggling in one subject, then this will not have a serious impact on your ATAR in the long run, as only 10% of it will contribute to your aggregate at the end of the year.

Take the following as example - Student X really hates physics, and is very bad at it. How much difference is made to his ATAR if he gets a study score of 5 in physics, as opposed to a study score of 32?

Non-stop study:

It is important to NOT dedicate your whole life to VCE during year 12. Although this may seem like the way people manage to achieve such high scores, you must also prevent yourself from burning out.

Make sure to NOT ignore those closest to you. Whether it be friends, teachers or family, they are with you every step of the way, and would love to help!

Also, take breaks by doing something you enjoy, whether it be playing sports, working out, or reading. 

Motivation:

This might confuse some of you. Isn't motivation important?

The truth is, motivation is short lived, and we all go through periods of motivation, and demotivation. If our work ethic followed this cyclical nature, then performance in some SACs would be sure to suffer!

We need something more consistent than just plain motivation. We need self-discipline. Understand why you want to achieve what you want to achieve, and work towards it. Your motivation and desire to work may fluctuate, but this should not deter you from your goal. 

To succeed in VCE, self-discipline is much more important than motivation.