About the School Certificate
Eligibility
The School Certificate is awarded by the Board of Studies to eligible students at the end of Year 10.
To receive the School Certificate, students are required to study courses in each year in Years 7-10 in English, Mathematics, Science, Human Society and its Environment, and Personal Development, Health and Physical Education.
At some time during Years 7-10, students are also required to study courses in Creative Arts, Technology and Applied Studies and Languages Other Than English.
School Certificate Grading
Students are awarded a grade for each of the courses they have studied in Years 9 and 10. The grades are based on the course performance descriptors for each course. The section on school-based assessment in this website describes how grades are awarded to students for the School Certificate.
School Certificate Tests
In November each year, all Year 10 students sit for statewide tests in English-literacy, Mathematics, Science, Australian History, Geography, Civics and Citizenship and, from 2006, Computing Skills. The tests assess achievement in the foundation knowledge and skills needed to successfully undertake subjects in Years 11 and 12 and to participate effectively in the wider community. The section in this website on School Certificate tests contains further details about the tests.