School Certificate tests for 2006 and beyond
Introduction
The School Certificate credential marks the end of compulsory
schooling. It records student achievement in the courses studied
in Stage 5 and, from 2006, provides results in five statewide tests
in areas considered foundational to subsequent achievement. Approximately
80 000 students receive the School Certificate credential each
year, and approximately 60 000 go on to achieve a Higher School
Certificate.
The current School Certificate tests have been introduced progressively
since 1998, consistent with the White Paper Securing Their
Future,
which detailed changes to the Higher School Certificate and School
Certificate. The purpose of the tests, as outlined in the White
Paper, is to strengthen the credential, and ensure that students
have strong foundations in their education.
Relationship between the testing of foundation skills
and the related syllabuses
The school-based assessment programs for Stage 5 courses allow students’ achievement in relation to all the course outcomes to be reported. The School Certificate tests assess students’ achievement of foundation skills within the context of the Board’s syllabuses. With the exception of the Computing Skills test, each test samples outcomes and content from the related syllabus. It should be emphasised that the tests do not cover all areas of the related syllabuses.
The foundation skills identified in the White Paper that students need for further study or the workplace are addressed by tests as shown in the table below:
| Foundation skill: | English-literacy | Mathematics | Science | Australian History, Geography, Civics and Citizenship | Computing Skills |
| Analysing and evaluating information | • | • | • | • | • |
| Making appropriate use of technology | • | • | • | ||
| Evaluating arguments | • | • | • | • | |
| Critically assessing the ideas and opinions of others | • | • | • | ||
| Expression of students’ own ideas and arguments | • | • | • | • | |
| Problem solving | • | • |
The scope of the School Certificate tests
It has not been considered necessary to significantly revise
the scope of the School Certificate tests for 2006 and beyond,
except to indicate specific content and skills from particular
syllabuses that will be the context for test questions. This is
the case for Australian History, Geography, Civics and Citizenship
test and for the Science test.
The foundational nature of the tests and the links with the curriculum are emphasised in the revised scope statements.
Click on the following links for information about each School Certificate test:
If you have other enquiries about the tests, please contact Assessment and Reporting Branch of the Office of the Board of Studies by telephone on 9367 8371, or by email at CustomerLiaison@boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au.