The VCAA will use the existing anomalous grade check process for all VCE exams, including those impacted by the errors, a well-established process used by the VCAA to ensure student results are fair and equitable.
This process was used by the VCAA during COVID-19 when the Consideration of Disadvantage process was also implemented.
This process will:
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Review student marks in the affected exams and identify any anomalies in how students have responded to the affected questions.
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Analyse if any discrepancies are identified and if so, further analysis will be undertaken. This could include comparing how students performed compared to other students, and how students performed on other examinations.
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Adjust student marks if any questions are identified as providing anyone with an unfair advantage. This could mean invalidating questions and awarding all students who sat this exam a full mark if necessary.
The implementation of this process will be overseen by an independent advisory panel of experts chaired by Professor John Firth. Professor Firth is a former CEO of the VCAA and supported the development of the Consideration of Disadvantage Process during COVID-19 and is familiar with the anomalous grade check process.
Professor Firth will be joined 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.
Students who have viewed the materials published online will not be investigated for breach of the rules.
As is the case every year, students can appeal their results by submitting a VCE Examination Score Review Application, made on behalf of a student by their school principal and supported by their subject teacher. This information can be found in the Final Results section of the
VCE Administrative Handbook. The fee will be waived this year.
Contact us
If you have any questions that are not answered here, please email us:
vcaa@education.vic.gov.au
We will keep this page updated.
What about exams this week (commencing 18 November)? Are you expecting any more issues?
These exams will proceed as planned. Where material was published early, the VCAA has either made adjustments, or determined that no advantage is likely to be obtained from early access to the material.
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 mean 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 fair.
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 36.
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.
Who will provide external advice to the VCAA?
Former VCAA CEO Professor John Firth, who assisted in the design of the process used in 2020, has been asked to support, oversee and monitor the implementation of this process as Chair of an Expert Advisory Panel.
Professor Firth will be 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 purpose and scope of the independent review?
A ‘root and branch’ review of the VCAA has been commissioned 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. 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 in the role early in 2025.
What is the difference between the panel and the independent monitor?
The 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.