Explanation, impacted examinations and next steps
Which exams have been affected?
56 examinations have been impacted by the early publication of the examination material. The list of all impacted examinations can be found
above.
Do you know which questions were impacted and to what extent?
The published examination material ranged from the partial releasing of prompts with no questions to the publication of some full questions.
The VCAA can confirm that no examinations were published in full.
Do we know if any students got an actual advantage due to the published examination material?
This early publication of exam material represents a potential advantage to students who may have accessed it.
Whether there was an actual advantage, and the impact on each exam, can only be determined once marking is complete. The expert advisory panel will use a range of analyses, including the anomalous grade check process, to help determine whether changes made to the exams fully reduced the risk of any advantage to students.
The process will ensure that no student will be advantaged or disadvantaged from early access to the examination material.
When will marking be completed?
Marking is a rigorous process involving a minimum of two assessors separately marking each paper and the completion time depends on the size of enrolment in each subject, whether some papers require a third and fourth review and when the exam took place in the exam calendar.
The VCAA is working towards having all marking complete in time so that students get their results on 12 December.
When will students and teachers know if any marks have been changed?
We do not yet know whether it will be necessary for any marks to be changed or adjusted.
This will only be determined when the marking of the exams has been completed.
What are the next steps?
The marking of the examinations needs to be completed.
The expert advisory panel will then apply a range of analyses as part of an anomalous grade check process to ensure that no student is either advantaged or disadvantaged from the early release of examination materials.
Will you push back the release of VCE results?
Currently the VCAA is on track to meet the scheduled timeline for results release on 12 December.
Reviewing exams impacted and the expert advisory panel
Who is on the expert advisory panel?
Former VCAA CEO Professor John Firth is Chair of an Expert Advisory Panel.
Professor Firth is supported by Dr Nathan Zoanetti, Research Director, Methodology and Measurement with the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) and the internationally regarded educational measurement expert and former Chair of the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority, Professor Barry McGaw AO.
What is the expert advisory panel doing?
The expert advisory panel is applying the anomalous grade check process and extending that to include a range of other analytic tools.
The expert advisory panel is in the process of:
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Reviewing student marks in the affected exams and identifying any anomalies in how students have responded to the affected questions, including how performance on the affected question compares to the rest of the exam.
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Analysing if any discrepancies are identified and if so, undertaking further analysis. This can include comparing how students performed compared to other students, and how students performed on other examinations and assessments.
How are exams assessed?
As with every year, exams are being marked by assessors who are experts in their area of study. All subjects are marked to the same standard and there are multiple checks to make sure that marking is fair. All VCE examinations are independently marked by at least two assessors, with third and fourth markings taking place where agreement cannot be reached between the earlier assessors.
Will students have to re-sit exams?
No student will need to re-sit their examinations.
Will students be accused of cheating?
No. Students can be assured that if they have accessed the published material on the sample examination covers, this will not be considered a breach of rules.
Will a Derived Exam Score be used?
The VCAA expects that the
Anomalous Grade Process will mean that a Derived Exam Score will not be needed.
Will this punish students who made big gains in their studies for end of year exams?
No, as a key component of the statistical analysis will be to examine a student’s overall performance on the exam as a whole, relative to other students, as well as their performance on a specific question or questions.
Will students still get their results on time?
Currently the VCAA is on track to meet the scheduled timeline for results release. If complications in the analysis to be undertaken means that an altered date for results release is required, this will be confirmed with VTAC and schools as soon as possible. The first priority will be ensuring that every student’s results are accurate, fair and reliable.
What happens if a student disagrees with their score?
The VCAA will consider a VCE Examination Score Review Application, made on behalf of a student by a school principal and supported by their subject teacher, where it can be demonstrated that a clear error has occurred in the assessment of a question/s on a written examination. More information on this process is available in the
VCE Administrative Handbook on page 136.
The fee to inspect examination response materials will be waived this year.
What steps were taken to address the publishing of the sample covers?
Once the VCAA became aware of the issue, the covers were removed from the website, published material was identified and questions were adjusted or rewritten. The examination papers were reprinted with the updated material and distributed to schools.
Future VCE examinations
What is the purpose and scope of the independent review?
A ‘root and branch’ review of the VCAA has been commissioned announced by the Victorian Government to provide full confidence to Victorian students, families and schools in the VCAA. The Review will examine the structure and operations of the VCAA. The review will commence in 2025.
What is the scope and purpose of the independent monitor?
This independent monitor will work with and provide guidance to the VCAA and provide advice to the Government of the VCAA's role regarding examination preparation, management and production from next year. Terms of reference will be developed to outline the monitor's role and responsibilities.
Who will it be and when will they start?
A person of appropriate standing and expertise will be appointed to commence as the independent monitor in the role early in 2025.
What is the difference between the panel and the independent monitor?
The expert advisory panel will oversee the current process to address any potential advantage from the publication of the 2024 examination material. The independent monitor will commence in January 2025 to oversee the 2025 VCE examination process.