School-Assessed Coursework (SACs) is a crucial component of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE). They are designed to measure how well students understand the subject matter throughout Units 3 and 4. SACs provide continuous assessment, and your results will heavily influence your final study score, which will then contribute to your Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR). 

This guide gives a detailed overview of SACs, their role in the VCE, and actionable advice for both students and parents on how to navigate and excel in SACs. With over 25 years of experience in the education industry, Matrix Education has developed proven strategies to help students succeed in SACs, refining their knowledge and securing strong results.

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Part 1: Understanding SACs in the VCE

What are SACs in the VCE?

School-Assessed Coursework (SACs) are internal assessments designed to measure your understanding of subject content and your ability to apply skills. Each SAC is designed to assess a variety of skills and knowledge, giving you ongoing opportunities to build your marks and demonstrate your learning throughout the academic year. 

SACs are typically conducted in Units 3 and 4, often in Year 12, but SACs may start in Year 11 for some students. The structure of SACs varies by subject and can include essays, practical experiments, data analysis, and oral presentations.

For instance, in VCE English, there are three SACs across Units 3 and 4. They often assess students’ ability to analyse and compare texts through textual analysis essays and oral presentations. 

Meanwhile, in VCE Mathematics subjects, there are four SACs in total across both units. They focus on problem-solving, mathematical modelling, and analytical skills.

SACs are spread throughout the academic year, with most occurring in Term 1 through Term 3. Schools generally provide the SAC schedule at the start of the year, allowing students to plan their preparation accordingly.

Do SACs matter in Year 11?

Yes, while SACs primarily take place in Year 12, they can also matter in Year 11, especially in subjects where students begin coursework early. While these SACs do not directly contribute to the ATAR, they are crucial for laying a strong foundation for Year 12 SACs.

Performing well in Year 11 SACs helps students familiarise themselves with the VCE assessment structure and develop important skills like time management, essay writing, and exam techniques. Early success in Year 11 also builds confidence, setting the stage for improved performance in Units 3 and 4.

How do SACs impact your study score?

A study score measures a student’s performance relative to others in the same subject across Victoria. It is calculated using a combination of SAC results and VCE exam scores. The percentage that SACs contribute to the study score varies by subject:

• VCE English: SACs contribute 50% of the study score, with a 25% weighting for Unit 3 and 25% for Unit 4, while the external VCE exam contributes the remaining 50%.
• Mathematical Methods and Further Mathematics: SACs account for 34%, while the VCE exam makes up 66%.
• Science subjects (e.g., Biology, Chemistry, Physics): SACs contribute 40% of your final study score, with exams contributing the remaining 60%.

Performing well in SACs is critical for achieving a high study score, which directly impacts a student’s ATAR. SACs are an essential part of the VCE assessment process, providing opportunities to build marks throughout the year, which combine with the final exam to produce a student’s overall study score.

How are SACs assessed?

SACs are assessed by school teachers based on specific criteria outlined in the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) study design for each subject. 

Schools have flexibility in developing marking guides, which can either follow VCAA Performance Descriptors or use custom rubrics tailored to the specifics of the assessment task. This ensures that the SAC tasks align with the learning outcomes and give students the opportunity to demonstrate their skills effectively​.

What happens if you fail a SAC in the VCE?

Failing a SAC doesn’t necessarily mean failing the VCE. However, poor performance in SACs can reduce your overall study score. Schools may offer the chance to re-sit the SAC or complete supplementary tasks to ensure the student meets the required learning outcomes. If a SAC score is notably lower than expected, the VCAA moderation process ensures that SAC scores are aligned with VCE exam performance, which can help mitigate the impact.

Moderation of SAC scores by VCAA

VCAA uses a process called moderation to ensure that SAC scores are consistent and fair across all schools. Since SACs are marked by teachers at each school, the difficulty of assessments, grading, and marking leniency can vary. Moderation adjusts for these differences so that no student is unfairly advantaged or disadvantaged based on how their school assesses SACs.

If a school’s SAC scores are consistently higher than the exam performance of its students, it suggests that the school may have been too lenient in marking SACs. Conversely, if SAC scores are lower than the exam results, it could indicate that the school marked too harshly.

Therefore, if a student’s SAC score is significantly higher than their VCE exam score, VCAA may adjust the SAC score downward to reflect the student’s actual performance relative to other schools. If the student’s SAC score is lower than their VCE exam score, VCAA may moderate their SAC scores upwards.

Example: John, a VCE Maths Methods student, scored 42/50 in his SACs but only 28/50 in his exam. Since his SAC score was much higher than his exam result, VCAA moderation adjusted his SAC score down to match his exam performance.

This process makes sure John’s final study score reflects his performance fairly compared to other students across the state. In the end, his final study score was reduced to 31 because of his lower exam score, showing how moderation keeps SAC results consistent across schools.

The importance of performing well in both SACs and exams

The moderation process emphasises the importance of consistent performance across both SACs and external exams. Since SACs are moderated against final exam performance, students who aim to excel should ensure that they:

• Perform well throughout the year on SACs.
• Prepare diligently for the final VCE exams to ensure that their SAC marks align with their final performance.
• Example: A student who performs consistently well on their SACs and achieves a strong result in the final exams will likely have a smoother moderation process, with little adjustment needed to their SAC scores. This consistency can help secure a higher final study score and a better ATAR.

By understanding how moderation works, you can focus on achieving consistency in your SACs and external exams to maximise your study scores.

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