VCE English: Course, Assessment and Exam Guides (VCAA)

VCE English (VCAA) is assessed through a Unit 3 school-assessed coursework (SAC) score, a Unit 4 SAC score and a written exam. The exam is the biggest single piece. Across Units 3 and 4 the result rests on three skills: analysing a text, writing your own text, and analysing how persuasive language works.

The 2027 cohort sits the VCE English and English as an Additional Language (EAL) Study Design from 2024, version 1.4 (released October 2024), with Units 3 and 4 accredited from 1 January 2024 and running through 2027.

Early in Year 12, learn the three skills in the order your school teaches them and keep the exam sections in mind from the first SAC. If the exam is close, practise one section at a time under timed conditions.

How is VCE English assessed?

Three graded assessments count towards the study score, and a student needs at least two of them plus an S for both Units 3 and 4 to receive one.

Your school sends VCAA a numerical score for each SAC. For how the pieces become a study score, see how the VCE study score is calculated and VCE SACs explained.

What does VCE English cover in Units 3 and 4?

Each unit has two areas of study, and each unit involves at least 50 hours of scheduled class time per semester.

• Unit 3, Reading and responding to text. You study one text from the annual VCAA text list and write an analytical response about its ideas, concerns and values.
• Unit 3, Creating texts. You study three mentor texts linked to one idea from the Framework of Ideas, then produce your own written text for a stated purpose, context and audience. You also write a commentary on your writing process.
• Unit 4, Reading and responding to texts. You study a second text, which must be of a different text type from your Unit 3 text, and write another analytical response.
• Unit 4, Analysing argument. You analyse how argument, language and visuals persuade an audience in texts on a current national or international issue, then plan and present your own point of view oral.

The point of view oral can take the form of an individual speech, a group debate, a dialogue, or a podcast or other digital form.

What is the VCE English exam like?

The exam has 15 minutes of reading time and 3 hours of writing time, and it is out of 60 marks. It covers all outcomes in Units 3 and 4. VCAA lists an English and/or bilingual printed dictionary among the approved materials.

• Section A, analytical response to a text (20 marks). You write on one of two topics for one text from the text list.
• Section B, creating a text (20 marks). You write one text using a given title, ideas from at least one unseen stimulus and one Framework of Ideas.
• Section C, analysis of argument and language (20 marks). You analyse how argument and language are used to persuade in an unseen text.

In 2026 the exam is on Tuesday 27 October, 9:00 am to 12:15 pm with reading time included. The date for the 2027 sitting is set on VCAA's annual timetable, and the full list is on the VCE exam timetable.