How are VCE study scores calculated, and what do they mean?

Do you know how VCE study scores are calculated, and what it means to get a certain score? Read on to learn about what makes up your raw study score, which then gets scaled, then gets turned into an ATAR.

How is a study score calculated?

A study score indicates how you’ve performed in relation to all other students who took the Units 3&4 study. It is calculated using your statistically moderated SACs (which are called Graded Assessment 1 [GA1] for Unit 3 SACs and Graded Assessment 2 [GA2] for Unit 4 SACs) and exams [GA3] for each study.

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The weighting of each Graded Assessment depends on the study, but the most important assessment is always the final exam because it moderates the value of your SAC scores – read ACED’s post about SAC scaling here

So what does a study score actually mean?

Now let’s get a bit technical. The maximum study score is 50. If 1000 students are enrolled in a subject, only 3 will be awarded a study score of 50. Each year, and for every study, the mean (average) study score is set at 30 with a standard deviation of 7. This means that a score between 23 and 37 shows that you are in the middle range of students (approximately 68% of the population); a score of 38 or more indicates that you are in the top 16%.

Approximately 8% of students will get a score on or above 40, and 2% of students will get a score on or above 45. Basically, you’ve done very well if you get a study score above 40. 

The next step is to scale these raw study scores.

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ACED wishes you the best VCE exam success!

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