Over 40,000 students across the state sat their English exams last week as this year’s VCE written exams officially kicked off in the wake of the impact of COVID-19.
Exams will be conducted in compliance with the public health team’s advice on school settings and gatherings to keep students, staff and exam supervisors safe.
Minister for Education James Merlino congratulated them on their hard work and resilience through two VCE years spanning a global pandemic.
“I wish all students sitting VCE exams the best of luck. Not only have you made it through these all-important final years of school, you’ve done it through a global pandemic with the most amazing resilience and grit,” he said.
VCE students who are primary close contacts have permission to attend their exams, while otherwise complying with the isolation orders that apply – 14 days for unvaccinated students, or seven days if they are fully vaccinated.
These students will sit exams in dedicated rooms with separate entrances either by themselves or safely distanced from other students who are also primary close contacts, depending on capacity – supervised by staff wearing face shields and enhanced PPE in safely ventilated rooms that are cleaned between each use.
The Consideration of Educational Disadvantage process will run as it did in 2020, making sure the only thing that counts towards students’ scores is their effort and hard work, in recognition of the unique – and in many cases profound – impact coronavirus has had on schools and individual students across Victoria.
Students will also be able to submit a Student Statement to be considered during this process, outlining the individual impact the pandemic has had on their physical or mental health and their VCE studies.
A total of 83,997 students will sit at least one examination – written, performance or oral – by the time exams finish on 17 November.
Students will receive their results via email, at resultsandatar.vic.edu.au or via the VCE Results and ATAR app from 7:00am Thursday 16 December.
Subscribe to Education Matters for the latest education news.