Media Release
VCE Cheating
7 July 2015
The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) investigated 38 alleged breaches of
the examination rules in the 2014 end of year VCE examinations.
Five students were penalised for serious breaches of examination rules.
 Two students were penalised when one student allowed another to copy answers from a
multiple choice answer sheet and for communicating during the examination.
 Another student was penalised for copying from other students’ multiple choice answer
sheets.
 A student was penalised for continuing to write after the exam had ended.
 A student using a mobile phone to search the internet for examination answers was also
penalised.
These students had their grades reduced by one to three grades.
“For the sake of the overwhelming majority of honest VCE exam candidates, we must penalise
those very few who seek an unfair advantage,” VCAA Board Chair, Chris Wardlaw said.
In 2014, there were 82,944 students who sat at least one exam. Some 50,413 students were
eligible to complete their VCE and there were 104 subjects with a written exam.
Eight students received reprimands from the VCAA’s Chief Executive.
The VCAA issued seven cautions for minor breaches where it determined that there was no intent
to cheat.
Following investigation, no further action was taken by the VCAA on 18 other minor incidents.
The number of examination incidents requiring investigation by the VCAA has declined with 16
fewer VCE exam rule investigations than in 2013 and 40 fewer than in 2012.
“The vast majority of students understand that attempting to cheat in VCE examinations is a waste
of time. It’s unfair to yourself and your classmates. In fact, students who do appear before review
committees are deeply remorseful for their actions.” Mr Wardlaw said.
The VCAA is pleased to report a continuing decline in incidents involving mobile phones, down
from 16 incidents in 2013 to just nine last year.
“Schools are clearly effective in helping students to understand and follow our examination rules.
Our trained Examination supervisors also continue to be vigilant,” Mr Wardlaw said.
Contact
Justin Shortal, Manager, Communications VCAA
Phone M: 0437 002 945
© VCAA
VCE Cheating
Background summary of breaches of 2014 VCE examination rules
Serious Penalties (5)
Five students received significant penalties from VCAA review committees.
These students had their grades reduced by one to three grades.
CEO Reprimands (8)
Eight students received a reprimand from the Chief Executive Officer.
Reprimands are issued where a breach of an examination rule has occurred but careful
investigation satisfied the Chief Executive Officer that the breaches did not result in any advantage
being obtained by the student.
Cautions (7)
The VCAA issued a caution to 7 students for more minor breaches of the rules. Students are
cautioned after careful investigation and the VCAA is satisfied that there was no intent to cheat in
these cases.
No Further Action (18)
There were eighteen cases where no further action was taken as the evidence upon investigation
either did not substantiate the allegation, or the alleged actions were trivial.
Total Incidents (38)
Overall, 38 cases of VCE incidents were investigated by the VCAA in 2014.
Year
VCE Examination Incidents
2014
38
2013
54
2012
78
2011
51
2010
61
VCE Examination Rules
The VCAA works closely with schools to ensure students are made aware of and familiar with the
rules for VCE examinations.
There are 22 VCAA rules for the conduct of VCE examinations. Each year the VCAA advises
schools about VCE examination processes via VCAA notices, the VCE Bulletin publication and the
VCE Examination Manual, which is a confidential document sent to schools each year to assist
them with the conduct and administration of VCE examinations.
Examination supervisors are trained in the application of the rules and the reporting requirements
for any alleged breaches of those rules.
VCE students receive clear advice on VCE examination rules in the GAT brochure and VCE
Exams Navigator booklet. The GAT brochure is distributed to schools prior to the General
Achievement Test (GAT). The VCE Exams Navigator is distributed to students in Term 3 and is
made available on the VCAA website at the same time. VCAA rules are also available on the
VCAA website and displayed at the entrance to examination rooms.
VCAA Review Committees
VCAA Review Committees are chaired by a VCAA Board member. It is important to note that a
VCAA Review Committee determines the appropriate penalty after hearing all the available
evidence, including hearing from the student if the student has elected to attend the hearing.
© VCAA
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VCE Cheating
Review Committees administer penalties that maintain the integrity of the examination system.
They ensure that honest students are rewarded for their efforts.
Penalties always exceed any possible advantage.
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© VCAA
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