ACT college system
The ACT operates a system of school-based curriculum and assessment within the policy and procedures of the ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies (BSSS).
Colleges in the ACT may choose to offer their own range of courses that have been accredited by the ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies (BSSS). Consequently, there is no external final exam.
Senior assessment
Assessment is continuous throughout each semester, with tasks providing information on the performance of each student in the group. Unit grades and scores are the results of student achievement measured against the assessment criteria contained in each course framework.
To maximise the results for each study package, it is important that students attend all classes, submit all assessments and make a consistent effort over the four semesters in each of their courses.
ACT qualifications
The ACT senior secondary system recognises a range of university, vocational or life skills pathways. Students may be issued the following qualifications and statements:
The ACT Senior Secondary Certificate is issued by the ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies at the end of Year 12 showing results obtained in all units completed. Students have a choice of studying an accredited package or a tertiary package of courses
This statement allows students to apply for admission to tertiary institutions. It is a record of a student’s performance in all ‘T’ courses and their ‘scaled scores’, that is, course scores for each subject which are moderated by the AST performance of the group. The ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies issues it. The statement also gives students an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR). This is calculated from a student’s best three ‘T’ Majors and the next best score in either a ‘T’ Major or Minor.
This is issued to students who fail to complete the requirements for an ACT Senior Secondary Certificate and/or leave college before the end of Year 12.
Students who successfully complete vocational courses (‘V’ Courses), including participation in Work Placements (“on-the-job training”) may be granted a nationally recognised Certificate I or Certificate II under the Australian Qualifications Framework.
Students who successfully complete units of competency forming part of a vocational certificate, but fail to complete all the requirements for a Certificate I or Certificate II, will have the completed units of competence listed on a Statement of Attainment.
Further information about these qualifications can be found on the BSSS website – ACT Qualifications
Certificate requirements
Requirements for the ACT Senior Secondary Certificate To attain an ACT Senior Secondary Certificate all students must have completed a minimum of 17 standard units in an approved program of study. This program should include a minimum of 4 courses from A, T, M, E, H or C from 3 different course areas including English.
Refer to the Senior handbook for more information.