QCE Stuff > Queensland Technical Score Discussion
QCE Questions: New ATAR System
Joseph41:
Hi everybody!
As you may know, Queensland is in the process of moving away from the OP system, and to the new ATAR system. The Class of 2020 will be the first cohort to receive an ATAR and to experience the new subjects, syllabuses and systems.
ATAR Notes is here to help you understand what you have ahead of you. If you have any questions at all about the new ATAR system or what it all means, please post them here!
And keep an eye out, because we will be posting lots of new resources specifically for QCE students. :)
Twisty314:
Hello!
So, as Joseph41 stated, Year 12 students in QLD in 2020 will be first ever in the state to receive the ATAR (me :-\). During Year 10 last year, our school tried to explain the process of scaling. I don't think anyone actually understood it, and I have suspicions that the school wasn't really too informed either. I've got the basic principle of, for example, an A in General Maths (Maths A) shouldn't be equivalent to and A in Specialist Maths (Maths C), and so QTAC adjusts this accordingly.
But what I'm wondering is, how scaling actually works; what does QTAC look at when scaling your scores? What processes do they do to ensure all subject scores are in 'equilibrium' with each other, so to speak? This process of scaling is really messing with my head! ???
Anyone else in the same boat here?
I'd really appreciate all of you peoples advice. Thanks in advance! :D
Joseph41:
--- Quote from: Twisty314 on January 17, 2019, 01:06:27 pm ---Hello!
So, as Joseph41 stated, Year 12 students in QLD in 2020 will be first ever in the state to receive the ATAR (me :-\). During Year 10 last year, our school tried to explain the process of scaling. I don't think anyone actually understood it, and I have suspicions that the school wasn't really too informed either. I've got the basic principle of, for example, an A in General Maths (Maths A) shouldn't be equivalent to and A in Specialist Maths (Maths C), and so QTAC adjusts this accordingly.
But what I'm wondering is, how scaling actually works; what does QTAC look at when scaling your scores? What processes do they do to ensure all subject scores are in 'equilibrium' with each other, so to speak? This process of scaling is really messing with my head! ???
Anyone else in the same boat here?
I'd really appreciate all of you peoples advice. Thanks in advance! :D
--- End quote ---
Hey Twisty! Really good questions. The concept of inter-subject scaling probably seems quite foreign at the moment.
First up, try not to worry too much if scaling confuses you. It’s been around in Victoria and New South Wales for a long time, and the vast majority of students wouldn’t be aware of how it actually works on a structural level. To my knowledge, the intricacies are still being flattened out, so I’m sure your school will be able to help more in time, too.
You’re right with the general principle: different subjects are dissimilar and, therefore, can’t really be treated equally. It’s sort of like trying to compare the weight of two children, except one is listed in kilograms, and the other in pounds. Even though we have a number for each, they’re not directly comparable. In order to compare them accurately, we need to get them onto the same scale, and this is essentially what scaling achieves in the QCE.
The important thing is this: inter-subject scaling does not account for difficulty of a subject, because this is not inherent and depends on the student. For example, you might find Specialist Maths (Maths C) really easy, but I might find it really difficult.
Instead, QCE scaling looks at the competitiveness of a cohort. This is because your scores for each subject are really a percentile ranking. So a scaled 80 in Geography is the equivalent of a scaled 80 in Chemistry - and we know this because we have accounted for the competition in that subject.
To measure competitiveness, we look at how that cohort (so everybody who studied that subject) did in their other subjects. If, on average, everybody who studied Biology did super well in all of their other subjects, this indicates that the Biology cohort was very competitive, and getting a high score in Biology, therefore, was hard.
In terms of what actually happens, there’s some pretty complicated math involved, and I’d honestly encourage you not to worry too much about this at this stage. But if you are interested, you can read more in this white paper.
This is also a helpful video if you haven’t seen it (ignore the comments on the YouTube video lol):
NOTE: Everything here is just based on my understanding. If you want a more detailed explanation, I can do my best. :)
Twisty314:
Thanks Joseph41!
Wow! That's pretty comprehensive. I always thought that scaling depends on how a subject is - glad you cleared that up for me!
--- Quote ---It’s sort of like trying to compare the weight of two children, except one is listed in kilograms, and the other in pounds. Even though we have a number for each, they’re not directly comparable. In order to compare them accurately, we need to get them onto the same scale, and this is essentially what scaling achieves in the QCE.
--- End quote ---
That's such a good analogy! If someone I know is ever confused about scaling I'll be sure to use this example.
I've got another question: what pathways are there to achieve my QCE? So the pathway I'm doing to get my QCE (6 General subjects). Just interested if there are other ways. Abd if anyone else is doing something different, I'm curious to see what everyone's up to! ;) Feel free to share!
Thanks again!
Joseph41:
--- Quote from: Twisty314 on January 18, 2019, 10:21:42 am ---I've got another question: what pathways are there to achieve my QCE? So the pathway I'm doing to get my QCE (6 General subjects). Just interested if there are other ways. Abd if anyone else is doing something different, I'm curious to see what everyone's up to! ;) Feel free to share!
Thanks again!
--- End quote ---
Sorry for the late reply!
There are a bunch of different options. To be eligible for an ATAR, students need to:
1. Complete an English subject (although this doesn't necessarily have to contribute to the ATAR)
2. Complete at least five General subjects, or four General subjects and one Applied subject/VET subject
So there are certainly different pathway options based on a) number of subjects, and b) whether those subjects are General/Applied/VET. :) More here.
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