General Information

SSABSA / SACE

Disclaimer

The following information concerns subject choices and further tertiary studies. Every effort has been made to obtain up to date and correct information. However, details for courses, both at Pulteney and at Tertiary Institutions and SSABSA are subject to change. Students are advised to contact the relevant Institution to verify any information in this booklet.

What is SSABSA?

The Senior Secondary Assessment Board of South Australia (SSABSA) is an independent body formed by the State Government and responsible for the provision of curriculum statements and certification of all studies undertaken at Year 11 and Year 12 level by students in all South Australian Secondary Schools.

It’s functions include:

• the development of curriculum statements for a wide range of subjects designed to cater for a diversity of abilities and interests at Stage I and II (Years 11 and 12).
• the approval of school-based courses designed to meet the specific needs of the school’s own students.
• the assessment of subjects for which it provides or approves curriculum statements.
• the issuing of the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) to all students in South Australia who satisfactorily complete the requirements of the SACE.
• What is SACE?

SACE is the South Australian Certificate of Education awarded to students who successfully complete their secondary school education.

To qualify for SACE, a student must:

• record successful achievement in at least sixteen of the required twenty-two units, including three 2-unit sequences of approved subjects at Stage 2 level.
• satisfy the curriculum pattern which must include:

2 units of English or ESL
1 unit of Australian Studies at Stage I
1 unit of Mathematics at Stage I
2 additional units of Arts/Humanities/social and cultural (Group 1) studies at Stage I
2 additional units of Mathematics/Science/Technology (Group 2) at Stage I
2 unit sequence of a Group 1 subject at Stage 2
2 unit sequence of a Group 2 subject at Stage 2

Grading and Assessment

In Stage 1 subjects:

The school will report to parents at the end of each semester on each unit of SACE study undertaken.
In addition, the SACE category will be reported.

• S (SA) Successful achievement
• R (RA) Recorded achievement
• Or N (RNM) Requirements not met

In Stage 2 subjects:

• SSABSA will report all results on the 20 point scale.
• A score from 10 to 20 will merit “Successful Achievement” for SACE.
• A score from 3 to 9 will merit “Recorded Achievement” for SACE.
• A score of 0 to 2 will be listed as “Requirements Not Met” for SACE.
• At either stage, a student who officially withdraws from a subject before meeting the requirements of 1 unit cannot earn an SA or RA rating.