Year 11 QCE High School Guide for Parents

Manoj Arachige -

Year 11 is an exciting but challenging time for both students and parents – it is not only a step up from Year 10, but a transformative year that builds the foundation for your child’s senior year and their ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank). Your child will begin working towards a Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE), which is critical for their future pathways to university, vocational training, or employment.

What to expect in Year 11

Here’s what your child should prepare for:

  • Subject selection. Your child should have completed a wide range of courses in Year 10 in preparation for this. Generally, students complete the same subjects in Year 11 and 12 to receive sufficient credit for a QCE. Decisions about subjects in Year 11 have long-term implications, as they may impact eligibility for certain university courses. For example, Mathematical Methods is a prerequisite for many engineering or math-related courses.
  • Increased academic pressure. Your child should expect an increased workload and complexity of assignments and exams in Year 11. Time management is important as students balance schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and other school leadership roles.
  • ATAR preparation. While Year 11 assessments do not count towards their ATAR, they are essential for preparation for Year 12, as Year 12 assignments generally follow the same format as the Year 11 ones. Your child’s performance in general subjects will also influence their preparedness for external assessments, as the content will follow through into the next units.

What does your child learn in Year 11?

To receive a QCE, students must achieve a set amount of 20 credits from a range of subjects to a set standard of a C grade or better.

Subject selection

Students typically choose six subjects, although only their best five count towards their ATAR. These subjects fall into two main categories:

  1. QCAA subjects. Also known as senior subjects. These are generally academically rigorous and contribute to the ATAR. These include English, chemistry, physics and biology.
  2. Vocational education and training (VET).  These focus on practical skills and provide pathways for those seeking further education and training, and those seeking employment-specific skills. Examples include hospitality practices and business studies.

Core requirements

  •  English is a compulsory subject. Students must pass this course to receive their QCE.
  • At least one mathematics subject is highly recommended, as it is a prerequisite for many university courses. There are three math subjects: General Mathematics, Mathematical Methods, and Specialist Mathematics. Students can take a maximum number of two math subjects.

You should encourage your child to choose subjects they enjoy and excel in while accounting for their future aspirations. This is important as they will study these subjects for the next two years.

How are assessments and exams structured?

Assessment types include:

  • Internal assessments (IAs). These are generally completed over multiple weeks, both in-class and in their own time. Students complete three IAs and one external assessment. Examples of IAs include written assignments, research reports, essays, and practical projects. These are marked by teachers and contribute significantly to students’ ATAR. However, the weighting of each assignment may be different across subjects. For most subjects, IAs contribute 75% towards a student’s final result, while for math and science subjects, IAs contribute 50%.
  • External assessments (EAs). These are exams and are completed during the external assessment period, which lasts for four weeks, beginning at the end of October. The timetable differs yearly and can be viewed on the QCAA website.

It is important to note that IAs and EAs are for Year 12 students. In Year 11, students complete similarly formatted assessments and exams in preparation for their senior year. This is a preparatory year where results provide feedback and shape their Year 12 strategies. They will gain insight into what is required to satisfy the assessment criteria. 

How to support your child through Year 11 and 12

As a parent, you play a pivotal role in creating a supportive environment for your child’s navigation of their senior years. Here are some practical tips:

  • Assist in time management. You can help your child by collaborating on creating a study schedule that balances schoolwork with their hobbies and sporting activities. It is especially important for your child to include free time in their daily schedules to avoid academic burnout.
  • Be a source of encouragement. Celebrate your child’s small wins and support them through assessment periods. Remind your child that setbacks are always opportunities to learn and that Year 11 is merely a preparatory year for Year 12, so they should focus on their process and the learning journey.
  • Provide a healthy study environment. It is important that your child has a quiet and well-lit space with minimal distractions to boost their concentration and study productivity. You should also allow your child to experiment with different study methods, for example, studying with music or studying with mates.
  • Understand the ATAR system. Familiarising yourself with the QCAA’s system allows you to better guide your child through their journey. Your child will need advice on subject selection and exam preparation, etc. 

How can KIS Academics help?

KIS Academics offers tailored support to assist in students’ academic journey, especially through Years 11 and 12. Here is how we can make a difference:

  • Personalised tutoring. All of KIS’ experienced tutors have unique tutor profiles that can be browsed by students and parents for selection. Each tutor specialises in various QCE subjects and tailors their lessons to individual students. Group tutoring sessions are also available.
  • Study resources. All KIS students will gain access to high-quality study notes, past papers, and content revision videos. On top of sessions completed with their tutors, students can receive additional support in grasping difficult concepts.
  • Essay marking. KIS offers assignment marking services, allowing students to get their work graded and edited before submission.

With the right guidance, your child can navigate Years 11 and 12 with confidence and clarity. By staying informed and involved in your child’s studies, you can empower them to excel.

Want more personalized study guidance to help support your child achieve their academic potential? A private tutor can make the biggest difference!

This article was written by KIS Academics Tutor Andrea Chan. Andrea is studying a Bachelor of Science/Doctor of Medicine at UQ and is a tutor for various QCE subjects, including biology, chemistry, math methods, legal studies and English. You can view Andrea’s profile here and request her as a tutor.