Transcript scaled - Melbourne Grammar School

VCE Information Evening
2013
Planning for Post-School Options
Major Post-School Options
University
Victoria
Interstate
Overseas
Vocational Courses
TAFE Institutes
Independent Tertiary Colleges (Private)
Employment
Apprenticeship/traineeship
Other Employment
Planning for Post-School Options
•
Applications for Victorian universities, TAFE institutes and independent
tertiary colleges are made via the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre
(VTAC) in August/September of Year 12. Up to 12 preferences.
•
Applications for interstate universities are made through the relevant
Admissions centre in that state in August/September.
•
Applications to UK/US and Canadian universities are generally made
around December of Year 12 (for entry in September). Application
procedures vary but require considerable forward planning and may
involve external tests (e.g. SATs) and comprehensive references.
Planning for Post-School Options
• The Careers Centre can assist in all of tertiary applications.
Early notification of interest in non-Victorian options is
highly desirable.
• The Careers centre can also assist with development of
CVs and job applications.
• T
• T
Tertiary Entrance and the ATAR
How the Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank
(ATAR) is calculated and used
School Assessed Coursework and
Examinations
• Marks for School Assessed Coursework (after
moderation) and Examinations are aggregated
by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment
Authority (VCAA).
Study Scores
• Aggregate scores for each study (state-wide) are plotted on
a normal distribution– Scale 0 -50
– Mean = 30
– Standard Deviation = 7
Study Scores continued
• Study Scores are reported to students by VCAA
• Study Scores are passed on to Victorian Tertiary
Admissions Centre (VTAC) . VTAC manages the tertiary
application process.
Scaling continued
• Physics (before scaling)
0
30
37
50
Scaling continued
• Scaling is a process designed to ensure that students are
compared fairly across subjects.
• Scaling does NOT reward students for doing “hard”
subjects or punish them for doing “easy” subjects.
• Scaling takes into account the relative strengths of the
cohorts (groups of students) undertaking each subject.
Because the competition (not the work) is stronger in some
subjects, a “middle of the pack” performance in one subject
can mean more than in another.
Scaling Process
• VTAC examines the performance of all students of
(e.g.) Physics in all other studies undertaken by the
Physics students.
• The average (mean) score achieved by those students
in all of their other studies becomes the “scaled
mean”for Physics.
• Students retain their “Relative Position”in the
distribution but the scale may change.
Scaling continued
• If Physics students have performed (on average) at a high
standard in their other studies, the mean for Physics will be
scaled up accordingly. This reflects the relative difficulty of
achieving a high score against strong competition.
• It is harder to perform at the top of the distribution if the
competition is more able. Scaling adjusts for this
disadvantage.
Scaling continued
• Physics (after scaling)
0
33
41
50
Calculation of the ATAR
• For each student, the scaled study scores for
– An English study (English Literature or ESL)
– Next best 3 studies
– 10% of 5th and 6th studies (if undertaken) are added to
make an aggregate score out of a possible 210 (4 x 50
+10% of 50 for 5th and 6th studies). ie. 210 is “perfect
aggregate score”.
Calculation of the ATAR
• All students applying to VTAC are ranked on aggregate
scores.
• Top 0.05% of students in state (approximately 25 students)
achieve an ATAR of 99.95. Next 0.05% have rank of 99.9
etc.
Use of the ATAR
• Most (not all) tertiary courses use the ATAR as part of their
selection process. Other selection criteria may include
interviews, written submissions, auditions, folios or
recommendations.
• Published “Clearly In” ATAR’s (in press, on the VTAC
website and in VTAC Guide later in the year) for courses
indicate scores at or above which all eligible applicants
were offered a place in 2013.
Use of the ATAR
• For most courses, some students with lower scores
will gain entry in the “middle band”. Published
ATAR lists indicate the percentage of offers which
were made at a lower score than the Clearly In
Rank.
• Factors considered in the middle band may be
performance in pre-requisite studies and
disadvantage suffered by the student. #
# DISADVANTAGE
• Disadvantage can take many forms e.g..
– Illness/Accident
– Family Disruption
– Emotional Trauma
– Financial Difficulties
It can occur suddenly or it can be long-term and
chronic.
# DISADVANTAGE
• There are procedures to assist. Let your Head
of House know and speak to the Curriculum
Office and/or Careers Centre.
• Details of VTAC procedures will be released
mid-year but it is never too early to raise the
issue with the school.
Use of the ATAR
• Entrance scores (Clearly In Ranks) are not predetermined
and can fluctuate from year to year as they are based on
supply and demand. E.g. Science at The University of
Melbourne jumped from 85 to 90 in 2012.
• It is important to plan course applications that allow for a
range of outcomes in terms of the student’s performance
and which allows for fluctuations in “Clearly Ins”.
Tertiary Planning
• Throughout the year, students are encouraged to seek help
and advice on courses and careers.
• The joint MGGS/MGS Careers Expo (Wed. May 29, 2013)
will have a focus on tertiary options with many institutions
represented.
• Numerous school based talks as well as tertiary Open Days
provide opportunities to gain knowledge of courses. Open
Days are mainly held on weekends in August.
• VTAC Information Evening will be held for Year 12 students
and parents in early August.
Good News
• There are hundreds of courses and dozens of institutions in Victoria alone!
• If you don’t get into your first choice, first time, there are
many alternative pathways to your goals.
• Do your best, take advantage of the resources available to
you and adopt a balanced approach and this will be a
rewarding year.
WORK EXPERIENCE
• DATES
• Work Experience Sept 23 -27 (first week of
September holidays).
• Information meeting – Wednesday March
13. Invitation soon.
• Return Forms July 26
• Information Package – Available tonight,
Portal, email, Careers Centre
Careers Centre Contacts 2012
• Frank Thompson
Director of Career Development
+61 9865 7547
[email protected]
• Hermione Skadiang
Career Advisor
+61 9865 7547
[email protected]
• [email protected]