2026 VCE Exam Timetable: Key Dates & Information for Year 12 Students

Looking for the 2026 VCE exam timetable? Find key VCAA exam dates, GAT information, oral examination periods, written exam dates and VCE results day.

Published 11 June 2026  •   •  9 min read

By Manoj Arachige
Photo by Eric Rothermel / Unsplash

KIS Summary:

  • VCE written exams run from Monday 26 October 2026 and go on until Wednesday 18 November 2026.
  • Your final VCE exams are worth 50% of your final VCE score which means strong final exam performance can dramatically move up your ATAR.
  • ⭐️ Connect with a tutor today to boost your performance in your upcoming VCE exams!

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The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) has released the key dates for the 2026 VCE examination period, giving students plenty of time to plan their revision and prepare for their final assessments.

Whether you're aiming for medicine, law, engineering, commerce or another competitive university course, understanding the VCE exam schedule is one of the most important steps in building an effective study plan.

This guide covers all important VCE examination dates for 2026, including the GAT, oral examinations, written examinations and results day.

2026 VCE Key Dates

EventDate
General Achievement Test (GAT)Tuesday 16 June 2026
Extended Investigation Critical Thinking TestWednesday 29 July 2026
Performance Exams & Language Oral Exams BeginMonday 5 October 2026
Performance Exams & Language Oral Exams EndSunday 1 November 2026
Languages (CCAFL) Written ExamsThursday 15 October 2026
Auslan ExaminationThursday 15 October 2026
VCE Written Exams BeginMonday 26 October 2026
Melbourne Cup Public HolidayTuesday 3 November 2026
VCE Written Exams FinishWednesday 18 November 2026
VCE Results ReleasedDecember 2026 (Exact date to be released)

When Do VCE Exams Start in 2026?

The 2026 VCE written examination period begins on Monday 26 October 2026 and go on until Wednesday 18 November 2026. This gives students approximately three and a half weeks of examinations across all VCE study areas.

Oral and Performance Examinations

Many VCE subjects include examinations that occur before the written examination period.

These include:

  • VCE Languages
  • Music
  • Drama
  • Dance
  • Theatre Studies
  • Extended Investigation

Performance examinations and language oral examinations run between: 5 October – 1 November 2026.

Students enrolled in these subjects should prepare well before Term 4 as these assessments often contribute significantly to final study scores.

2026 VCE Exam Timetable

English Subjects

SubjectDateTime
EnglishTuesday 27 October9:00am – 12:15pm
EALTuesday 27 October9:00am – 12:15pm
English LanguageWednesday 28 October3:00pm – 5:15pm
LiteratureThursday 29 October3:00pm – 5:15pm

Mathematics Subjects

SubjectDateTime
General Mathematics Exam 1Friday 30 October2:00pm – 3:45pm
General Mathematics Exam 2Monday 2 November2:00pm – 3:45pm
Mathematical Methods Exam 1Thursday 5 November9:00am – 10:15am
Mathematical Methods Exam 2Friday 6 November11:45am – 2:00pm
Specialist Mathematics Exam 1Monday 9 November9:00am – 10:15am
Specialist Mathematics Exam 2Wednesday 11 November11:45am – 2:00pm
Foundation MathematicsTuesday 17 November3:00pm – 5:15pm

Science Subjects

SubjectDateTime
PsychologyFriday 30 October9:00am – 11:45am
BiologyMonday 2 November9:00am – 11:45am
ChemistryTuesday 10 November9:00am – 11:45am
Environmental ScienceTuesday 10 November2:00pm – 4:15pm
PhysicsThursday 12 November9:00am – 11:45am

Health & Human Development

SubjectDateTime
Health and Human DevelopmentThursday 5 November3:00pm – 5:15pm
Physical EducationMonday 9 November11:45am – 2:00pm
Outdoor and Environmental StudiesWednesday 11 November11:45am – 2:00pm

Business, Commerce & Economics

SubjectDateTime
Health and Human DevelopmentThursday 5 November3:00pm – 5:15pm
Physical EducationMonday 9 November11:45am – 2:00pm
Outdoor and Environmental StudiesWednesday 11 November11:45am – 2:00pm

Humanities & Social Sciences

SubjectDateTime
Legal StudiesFriday 6 November3:00pm – 5:15pm
History: RevolutionsMonday 9 November3:00pm – 5:15pm
History: Australian HistoryWednesday 11 November11:45am – 2:00pm
History: Ancient HistoryThursday 12 November2:00pm – 4:15pm
GeographyThursday 12 November2:00pm – 4:15pm
SociologyThursday 12 November2:00pm – 4:15pm
PoliticsMonday 16 November3:00pm – 5:15pm
PhilosophyFriday 13 November3:00pm – 5:15pm
Religion and SocietyMonday 16 November3:00pm – 5:15pm
Classical StudiesWednesday 4 November11:45am – 2:00pm

Technology & Engineering

SubjectDateTime
Applied Computing: Data AnalyticsMonday 9 November11:45am – 2:00pm
Applied Computing: Software DevelopmentFriday 13 November3:00pm – 5:15pm
Algorithmics (HESS)Wednesday 4 November11:45am – 2:00pm
Systems EngineeringMonday 16 November11:45am – 1:30pm

Creative Arts & Design

SubjectDateTime
Art Making and ExhibitingWednesday 28 October11:45am – 1:30pm
Art Creative PracticeWednesday 4 November9:00am – 10:45am
Theatre StudiesThursday 29 October9:00am – 10:45am
DanceFriday 6 November9:00am – 10:45am
DramaFriday 13 November11:45am – 1:30pm
MediaTuesday 10 November2:00pm – 4:15pm
Visual Communication DesignWednesday 11 November9:00am – 10:45am
Product Design and TechnologiesFriday 13 November9:00am – 10:45am

How Long Do Students Have to Prepare?

From the beginning of Term 4 until the commencement of written examinations, students have approximately four weeks to focus almost exclusively on revision.

This period should be used to:

  • Complete practice exams
  • Review SAC mistakes
  • Consolidate key content
  • Refine exam technique
  • Improve time management skills

The students who achieve the highest study scores typically complete multiple timed practice exams before entering the examination period.

VCE Results Day 2026

VCAA will release final VCE results in December 2026 with the exact date yet to be released.

Students can access:

  • Study scores
  • ATAR results
  • Examination grades
  • School-assessed coursework grades

through their VCAA student portal.

How to Use the 2026 VCE Timetable to Your Advantage

Start Revision Before Trial Exams

Don't wait until October to begin exam preparation.

Create a Reverse Study Plan

Work backwards from your exam dates and allocate revision blocks accordingly.

Prioritise Difficult Subjects

Most students require additional revision time for:

  • Mathematical Methods
  • Specialist Mathematics
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • English
  • Literature

Complete Practice Exams Under Timed Conditions

Past VCAA exams remain one of the most effective preparation tools available.

Need Help Preparing for the VCE?

At KIS Academics, our expert tutors help Victorian students maximise their study scores and achieve their ATAR goals.

We provide tutoring across:

  • English
  • Mathematical Methods
  • Specialist Mathematics
  • Chemistry
  • Biology
  • Physics
  • Psychology
  • Business Management
  • Economics

Whether you're aiming for a 95+ ATAR or a place in a competitive university course, our tutors can help you build a personalised strategy for VCE success.

For more ATAR tips and resources, check out these KIS Academics study guides:

How to get a 99+ ATAR - A Medical Student’s Study Routine
As year 12 rolls around, one of the most commonly asked questions by students is: “How should I study to get an ATAR above 99?”. If this is something that has crossed your mind, this is the right article for you.

How to build a study routine for a perfect ATAR
Hi, my name’s Poppy, and I’m excited to share how I achieved a 99.95 ATAR, and help you build a study routine to achieve your best too!

Study Guide: The Ultimate 99+ ATAR 30-day Study Guide (updated 2025) | KIS Academics
Need to get exam ready in 30 days? Let me show you how I organised my time to get a 99.90 ATAR.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do VCE exams start in 2026?

Written examinations begin on Monday 26 October 2026.

When do VCE exams finish in 2026?

Written examinations conclude on Wednesday 18 November 2026.

When is the GAT in 2026?

The General Achievement Test (GAT) will be held on Tuesday 16 June 2026.

What happens if I have two exams on the same day?

The VCAA carefully schedules exams to avoid most clashes, but if you do have conflicting exams (especially with languages or specialist subjects), contact your school immediately. They'll work with VCAA to arrange alternative sitting times. This is rare but manageable when caught early.

What happens if I miss a VCE exam?

If you miss a VCE exam (s) for a valid reason (i.e illness, misadventure), you must apply for a Derived Examination Score (DES) to the VCAA, supported by evidence, to receive a score based on your other assessments and your General Achievement Test (GAT) score. 

If you skip an exam without a legitimate, documented excuse, you will likely receive a score of zero for that exam and a lower study score.

You can find out more about this process here.

When are VCE results released?

Results will be available in December 2026.


Want more personalised guidance to help support you through your studies? Find a KIS Academics tutor today!

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