Brisbane Tutoring

Brisbane uses the QCE ATAR System in Year 11 and 12

From Years 5-10, students mainly focus on general English, Maths and Science.

In year 11 and 12, students complete subjects as part of their ATAR studies, which is the system used in Queensland to get admission into university.

QCE subjects and subject performance is used to calculate your ATAR.

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The QCE System: What you need to know

For most Year 11s and 12s, their parents and tutors, the QCE is something to await with apprehension and dread. Not to mention the fact that the QLD system has recently undergone a bit of a “facelift” in 2020, so there are some important changes you need to know.

Let’s break down the Queensland Certificate of Education and what it entails, so you (whether you are a student, parent, or tutor) are ready for the rollercoaster ride that is Year 12.

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What subjects do I need for my QCE/ATAR?

In the QCE system, subjects are split up into 2 categories, general and applied

• Applied subjects can count towards QCE but only one applied subject can be used in calculation of ATAR
• General subjects can count towards both QCE and ATAR calculation

As mentioned above, you need a minimum of 20 credits, meaning 5 general subjects, or 4 general subjects and 1 applied subject. Alternatively, some students opt to undertake a diploma or certificate during Year 11 and 12, such as the Diploma of Business, which can also contribute towards their QCE/ATAR certification.

All students must successfully complete an English subject to receive their QCE and ATAR.

For the remaining 5 or 6 subjects you select for your senior studies, there is a broad range of options available, including Maths, Science, Commerce, Arts, Humanities, Languages and more.

If you are aiming to get into a particular university course, such as Medicine, it’s crucial that you look into any subject prerequisites each university requires, as this can affect what courses you will be eligible for.

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What are the assessments like?

Each subject has a unique assessment style and structure, but all subjects will have two components: internal and external assessment.

Internal assessments refer to any exams/assignments that are formulated and assessed by individual schools, which are then sent off to the QCAA (QLD’s education authority) for external confirmation. For most subjects, internal assessments comprise 75% of the total subject weighting (excluding Maths and Science subjects which are 50%).

External assessments are the big bad final exams that everyone stresses about at the end of the year. These exams are written and marked by the QCAA themselves, and usually amount to 25% of a subject’s total grade (excluding Maths and Science again, which are 50%). These invigilated exams are held in a 4-week exam period during the end of the school year. Each subject exam across the state is held at the same time so you are all in it together (couldn’t resist the high school musical reference).

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The QCE ATAR system can be quite complex, and understanding what's going on can be very daunting for new students and parents. If you ever need some assistance with your ATAR, KIS Academics tutors have a thorough knowledge of the subjects and can assist in understanding curriculum requirements. Our tutors are able to provide materials and teaching on how to prepare for internal and external assessments. Learn about our QCE tutoring and book a free study skills consultation with a KIS Academics tutor.

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