Frequently Asked Questions
What is a T unit and T course?
In the ACT system there are different types of courses. A T unit and course is one that the ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies has deemed suitable as a preparation for Tertiary Studies. An A unit and course is one that the ACT BSSS has deemed appropriate for studies at the Year 11 and 12 level.
How will my grades at College be decided?
The grades you receive in college are based on the grade descriptors that are published in the course documents and handed to the students at the beginning of the semester. Grades in T and A units from all colleges in the ACT system are verified on Moderation Days which are held twice a year. All grades awarded to you will be recorded on your ACT Year 12 Certificate.
My daughter tells me she got 80 for her unit score in Information Technology. Should I be very pleased with her result?
Scores in T units represent a ranking of students in that unit. They are not a mark out of 100. You need to ask your daughter what the mean and standard deviation was for the unit scores in Information Technology. The further above the mean her score is, the more impressive the result. It is her ranking within the group that is more important than the actual unit score. Also remember, that scores are only used in the calculation of a course score in a T course which eventually might contribute to the calculation of a UAI. Be pleased and proud about the grades your daughter receives every semester in every course. It is the grades that appear on your daughter's ACT Year 12 Certificate.
If I go to Happy Valley College I will get a better UAI than if I go to Sunny Hill College
That depends on you and your attitude to achieving your best work. Good UAI’s come from you producing excellent work in four T courses over two years. They do not come from the building that you are attending. The scaling process does not take into account which college you attended. It uses your school results and AST.
I don’t need to try in the AST because my individual result does not count. It is the school’s AST that matters.
You certainly do need to do your best effort. Each college is made up of individuals and therefore it is the results of all these individuals that decides the schools results. Your individual AST is included in the calculation of your scaling score that is used in the scaling of course scores. Also, students must make a reasonable attempt in the AST or they may not be eligible for a UAI.
How do I get good results?
Good results come from YOUR understanding of the content of the course in which you are enrolled and the standard of work that you achieve in all assessment items. You should:
- enrol in courses which you enjoy and which will allow you to produce your best standard of work.
- always treat every assessment item seriously and work to achieve your best effort and your best standard
- realise that good scores come from you and the work you complete - not the course that you are in or the college that you attend
- know and understand pre-requisites of tertiary courses for which you are aiming
- aim for a broad package of study, so you can develop comprehensive skills.
How do I choose which college to attend?
In choosing the college to meet your needs, you should:
- visit all colleges in which you are interested
- talk to personnel at colleges
- examine courses available
- consider extra-curricula activities
- take into account the organisation of college
- talk to students and ex-students of the college
- select a college where you think that you can achieve your very best from Year 11, Day 1!