The QCAA develops syllabuses for a wide range of senior subjects. How you are assessed depends on the type of subjects you choose.
During Year 11 and 12 you'll complete a range of different assessments.
For most students, the bulk of assessment in QCAA subjects and courses will be internal assessment.
Students undertaking QCAA General subjects will also sit for external assessment, usually in Year 12.
Assessment in Year 11
In Year 11 you'll have a minimum of two, but no more than four internal assessments for most subjects.
Your teachers will set and mark your assessments and they'll be based on what you learn in Unit 1 and Unit 2.
Your marks show your progress and count towards your QCE eligibility.
Assessment in Year 12
In Year 12 you'll have four assessments for most subjects. They'll be based on what you learn in Units 3 and 4.
Your marks will count towards your final subject results and your QCE. They may also count towards your ATAR if you're eligible.
The types of assessment will depend on the subjects you study:
In General subjects, your final subject result is based on your achievement in three internal assessments and one external assessment.
Schools develop and mark internal assessments. The QCAA ensures they align with the syllabus before use in class and confirms your results by checking teacher judgements are accurate and consistent across schools.
The QCAA sets and marks external assessments.
In most subjects, internal assessment contributes 75% and external assessment contributes 25% towards your final subject result. In Mathematics and Science subjects, internal assessment and external assessment each contribute 50%.
General (Extension subjects) are courses of study consisting of two units that extend a related General subject. The assessment requirements are the same as for General subjects, Units 3 and 4.
General (Senior External Examination) subjects are individual subject examinations held during Term 4. They are for a small number of adult learners and some Year 12 students who are unable to access particular senior subjects at their school, particularly language subjects. Only the examinations contribute to their results.
Assessment techniques for QCAA General subjects include:
- Examination
- Extended response
- Investigation
- Performance
- Product
- Project
Look at the subject syllabus to find out what you'll be learning and how you'll be assessed.
From 2024, the QCAA is transitioning to a revised suite of senior syllabuses, starting with Applied syllabuses.
A-Z lists of senior syllabuses relevant to each year level are available on the QCAA website at the following links:
| Year level | Subject type and syllabus list |
|---|---|
Year 12 (2024) | All QCAA subjects |
Year 11 (2024) | QCAA Applied subjects only All other QCAA subjects |
Year 11 (2025) | All QCAA subjects |
In Applied subjects, your final subject result is based on your achievement in four internal assessments. There is no external assessment in Applied subjects.
Schools develop and mark internal assessments for most Applied subjects. For Essential English and Essential Mathematics, one of the four assessments is a common internal assessment, developed by the QCAA and marked by your school.
Assessment techniques for QCAA Applied subjects include:
- Collection of work
- Examination
- Extended response
- Investigation
- Performance
- Practical demonstration
- Product
- Project
Look at the subject syllabus to find out what you'll be learning and how you'll be assessed.
From 2024, the QCAA is transitioning to a revised suite of senior syllabuses, starting with Applied syllabuses.
A-Z lists of senior syllabuses relevant to each year level are available on the QCAA website at the following links:
| Year level | Subject type and syllabus list |
|---|---|
Year 12 (2024) | All QCAA subjects |
Year 11 (2024) | QCAA Applied subjects only All other QCAA subjects |
Year 11 (2025) | All QCAA subjects |
In QCAA Short Courses, your final result is based on your achievement in two assessments, developed and marked by your school.
There is no external assessment in Short Courses.
Assessment techniques for QCAA Short Courses include:
- Examination
- Extended response
- Learning journal
- Presentation
Have a look at the subject syllabus to find out what you'll be learning and how you'll be assessed.
From 2024, the QCAA is transitioning to a revised suite of senior syllabuses, starting with Applied syllabuses.
A-Z lists of senior syllabuses relevant to each year level are available on the QCAA website at the following links:
| Year level | Subject type and syllabus list |
|---|---|
Year 12 (2024) | All QCAA subjects |
Year 11 (2024) | QCAA Applied subjects only All other QCAA subjects |
Year 11 (2025) | All QCAA subjects |
Study tips and advice
Establishing good academic habits will make it easier for you to succeed.
Find out what you can do to organise yourself and your workload.
Follow our get academic tips and advice to help you study effectively and do your best work.
It’s also important to maintain a healthy school/life balance.
Find out what you can do to stay healthy and happy, or get support when you need it.
It may also help to get advice from past students.
