VCE external assessment score reviews are available to schools and students to confirm the accuracy of their examination scores after final results are released.

There are two types of VCE external assessment score reviews available: VCE examination score reviews and confirmation of grades.

Examination score review (for written examinations)

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Principals can apply for a VCE examination score review if they believe that there has been an error in the marking of a student’s response to one or more questions on a written examination or the General Achievement Test (GAT).

Steps:

1. Students obtain a Statement of Marks and inspect their examination response materials with their subject teacher.
2. Teachers identify and outline the detail of the alleged marking error.
3. Principals consider whether there are valid grounds to apply and provide their endorsement.
4. Schools download the application form from VASS and submit to vce.assessment.review@education.vic.gov.au
5. Student examination response is referred to a senior assessor for expert review, then their recommendation is considered by a VCE Score Review Panel.
6. Principals are notified of the outcome.

VCE examination score reviews are conducted to identify and correct marking errors, where assessors have not marked in accordance with accepted assessment guidelines and training. A marking error arises when there is an error in assessment, rather than different interpretations about the quality of the response.

A marking error is defined as when:

• marks have not been awarded for a correct answer, or part of an answer
• a response, or part of a response, has not been considered due to a procedural or processing error 
• the mark awarded for a response reflects an unreasonable application of professional judgment.

Applications should not be submitted because:

• the examination score obtained was lower than expected
• another marking is sought in anticipation of an increase in study score
• the VCAA’s marking policies are disputed
• interpretation of aspects of the VCE study or examination specification is contested.

Each question included in the application must be supported by evidence of a clear marking error. Applications for entire written examinations are not accepted.

What happens after an application is submitted?

1. A senior assessor will review the examination response to determine whether a marking error has occurred.
2. The evidence and recommendation are considered by a score review panel.
3. If a marking error is confirmed, the relevant question score will be adjusted, and the grade and study score updated.
4. If a student’s grade or study score is increased, the VCAA will issue an updated Statement of Results to students, and VTAC will be notified.
5. Principals are advised in writing of the outcome.

Not all score changes will result in a grade and/or study score change.

Schools notify students of the outcome.

Exclusions

Performance examinations, Language orals or Externally-assessed Tasks (EATs).

For concerns about the assessment for performance or language oral components of graded assessments, principals should refer to the confirmation of grades process.
Many performance examinations, Language oral components and EATs are not available for inspection and are therefore outside scope of the examination score review process.

External assessment score reviews cannot be used to investigate cohort-level results, issues with examination content or examination content breaches.

External assessment score reviews are relevant only for external assessments developed and marked in Victoria. For Collaborative Curriculum and Assessment Framework for Languages (CCAFL) external assessments developed and marked interstate, the results review policies set by the relevant jurisdiction apply.

Confirmation of grades (administrative check)

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Principals can request a confirmation of grades results check if a student’s examination grade is substantially lower than expected.

Confirmation of grades is an administrative check of the procedures used to finalise a student’s grade for a VCE external assessment. It ensures that all assessment components have been marked, that scores are calculated correctly and the correct grade is assigned.

Confirmation of grades can be requested for any VCE external assessment, including performance examinations, Languages oral components, EATs, and written examinations.

Applications are accepted where there is a significant discrepancy between the grade that the school expected the student to attain and the grade that was awarded (typically at least a two-grade difference), or in exceptional cases where schools have identified an administrative or procedural assessment error (such as missing or incorrect scores).

An equivalent process is also available for checking GAT results, based on the Victorian Literacy and Numeracy Standard achieved.

A confirmation of grades checks that:

• All student response material has been marked
• Assessor's scores have been accurately recorded
• Student’s answers as recorded on their multiple-choice answer sheet match recorded answers on the system
• Scores have been calculated correctly and the correct grade assigned.

This process does not involve a review of student responses; however, response materials may be referred to a senior assessor/s if the VCAA decide that circumstances warrant review, such as: 

• The process identifies that examination response material has not been marked due to a procedural error.
• Performance or oral-based assessments with anomalous outcomes that are excluded from the examination score review process.

Exclusions

For matters related to examination supervisor/assessor conduct, refer to the examination irregularity process.

Submitting Applications

Applications for VCE examination score review or confirmation of grades must be submitted on the appropriate form, available in VASS downloads.

All applications must be endorsed by the school principal or delegate and sent to vce.assessment.review@education.vic.gov.au

Applications received directly from students or their families will not be accepted.

Refer to Important administrative dates for the final day for principals to request a confirmation of grades or examination score review for external assessments.

Late applications will not be accepted.

Application Outcomes

Schools are notified of outcomes in writing.

VCE external assessment score review outcomes are unlikely to be finalised before tertiary offers.

Enquiries about examination score reviews or confirmation of grades should be directed to vce.assessment.review@education.vic.gov.au

Appeals

If a school disagrees with the outcome of an external assessment score review, an appeal can be lodged on the grounds that:

• The outcome is wrong, unreasonable or ignores relevant information
• The decision maker demonstrated bias and was not impartial
• The external assessment score review was not conducted in a manner consistent with VCAA policies and procedures.

Appeal requests should include:

• A clear explanation of the specific reasons (grounds) for the appeal
• Evidence, where relevant.

Appeals must be lodged by the school principal or delegate and sent to the Executive Director, Assessment via vcaa@education.vic.gov.au

All appeals must be submitted within 3 months of the school receiving the outcome of the external assessment score review.