Senior secondary assessment methods in Western Australia
School-based assessment involves teachers gathering, describing and quantifying information about student achievement. Assessment tasks include tests, examinations, essays, reports, investigations, exhibitions, productions, performances and presentations.
In Year 12 courses there are two forms of external assessment:
ATAR course examinations are conducted at the end of Year 12, and for students exiting ATAR courses in Year 11.
An externally set task (EST) is conducted for each General and Foundation course in Year 12. The EST is:
- compulsory for all students enrolled in Units 3 and 4
- set by the Authority and
- administered by the school under invigilated conditions and following the protocols provided by the Authority.
Senior secondary reporting in the Western Australia
A student’s school‐based achievement in ATAR, General and Foundation courses is recorded in grades (A, B, C, D or E) and marks out of 100. A student’s school-based achievement for a Year 12 course must be recorded for a pair of units i.e. one mark and one grade. A student’s school-based achievement for a Year 11 course may be recorded for each pair of units (i.e. one mark and grade), or for each unit completed (i.e. two marks and two grades).
Student achievement in Preliminary course units is recorded as ‘completed’ or ‘not completed’.
Student achievement in VET industry specific courses is recorded as ‘completed’ upon completion of all course requirements. The notation ‘completed’ counts as a C grade for the WACE requirements.
Student achievement in VET programs is competency‐based and specific requirements are outlined in national training packages or accredited courses
Student achievement in endorsed programs is reported as the particular program that has been completed.
Reporting at the end of the compulsory years in the Western Australia
In WA, students need to be enrolled in school or training, or approved work, until the end of the year a student turns 17 and 6 months or reaches the age of 18, whichever occurs first.
Western Australian Statement of Student Achievement (WASSA)
A statement of student achievement is issued to all Year 12 students at the completion of their secondary schooling.
The statement of student achievement formally records, as relevant:
- achievement of WACE requirements
- achievement of literacy (reading and writing) standard
- achievement of numeracy standard
- achievement of exhibitions and awards
- school grades, school marks, and combined scores in ATAR units *
- school grades and school marks in General and Foundation units *
- completed Preliminary units
- completed VET industry specific units
- successfully completed VET qualifications and VET units of competency
- completed endorsed programs
- number of community service hours undertaken (if reported by the school).
A student who does not achieve all of the WACE requirements will still receive a WASSA.
Read more about the WASSA.
