Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) system
The QCE is Queensland's senior secondary schooling qualification. It is internationally recognised and provides evidence of senior schooling achievements. To receive a QCE, students must achieve the set amount of learning, at the set standard, in a set pattern, while meeting literacy and numeracy requirements.
You can learn more about the QCE on Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) website, where there is further information, fact sheets and videos.
My QCE is the student portal with secure access to information related to your senior studies. You can check your final subject results and download your official statements and certificates once you are eligible.
Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR)
From 2020, the Australian Tertiary Rank (ATAR) replaced the Overall Position (OP) as the standard pathway for tertiary study for Queensland students. ATAR is the mechanism used nationally for tertiary admissions and indicates a student's position relative to other students for the purpose of attending University through a standard application process. It is a measure of a student's overall academic achievement in relation to other students where those students have studied different subject combinations.
ATARs are expressed as a number of a 2000-point school from 99.95 down to 0.00 in steps of 0.05. So the highest ATAR is 99.95, then 99.90, then 99.85 and so on.
ATARs are calculated using a student's best score from five general subjects, or four general subjects plus one applied subject or VET course at AQF certificate III or above.
The Queensland Tertiary Admission Centre (QTAC) website has further information on the ATAR.
Pathways to QCE at Mansfield
The pathway for achieving a QCE begins in Year 10 when students will study preparatory subjects. This is an important link to the senior curriculum and an opportunity for students to experience a broader range of subjects.
Students will then choose a combination of General and Applied subjects that they will study in years 11 and 12. All students will select an English subject (English, English as an Additional Language, Literature, or Essential English) and a Mathematics subject (General Mathematics, Mathematical Methods, Specialist Mathematics or Essential Mathematics) The selection of subjects is based on student's interests, abilities, pre-requisites for further study and long term goals.
General subjects prepare students for tertiary study, further education and training and work. They include extension subjects and senior external examination syllabuses. General subjects may contribute up to 4 credits per subjects towards your QCE and contribute to an ATAR.
Applied subjects focus on practical skills and prepare you for further education and training, and work. They may contribute up to 4 credits per subject towards your QCE and one Applied subject may also contribute to an ATAR when combined with four General subjects.
The Senior Subjects Selection Guide; Pathways to QCE provides additional information on the pathways to QCE offered at Mansfield, including the subjects available, how to make selections and what to consider when deciding. Students will select their subjects for Year 11 when enrolled in Year 10.
Year 10 subject selections
In Year 10 students will select from preparatory subjects to prepare for the senior years. Subjects may be a combination of one or two semesters and are an opportunity to experience a broader range of study areas before deciding on senior subjects.
The Year 10 subject selection guide is for students currently enrolled in Year 9 who are making selections for Year 10.
Alternative pathways
With school and parental approval, students requiring a greater challenge may apply to complete
university subjects.
Other students choose to undertake alternative pathways such as:
Senior students are provided with the opportunity to engage in work experience placement during school holiday periods. This is a very rich and motivating learning experience for students, as they may choose their own field of interest.