FAQs
How can I register to use the VCAA Languages Assessments?
How do I know if my School is already registered?
How can I start using the online system (Online Assessment and Reporting System)?
Can I preview the Languages Assessments?
Which assessments can I assign?
What happens if the test is not completed in one 40-minute session?
How can I register to use the VCAA Languages Assessments?
- Complete our online form to register.
- Schools will receive login details via email from ACER once the registration is approved (this may take up to 5 business days).
- Log in and start using the assessments.
How do I know if my School is already registered?
The VCAA Languages Assessments are delivered through ACER’s OARS platform.
A member of our School Support team will help you find your school’s OARS account after we receive your registration for the VCAA Languages Assessments.
If your school does not already have an OARS account, our team will help you register one.
How can I start using the online system (Online Assessment and Reporting System)?
Once you log in to your account, you can start using your account immediately.
- Log in.
- Click Students.
- Create students by
- Option 1: adding students individually; OR
- Option 2: adding students in bulk. For help: Log in to your account, and click Help.
- Assign the assessments.
- Administer the assessments in class.
- Generate a student report.
Help documentation
Account set-up: add students
Account set-up: edit students
Preview and assign
Generate Group and Individual reports
Can I preview the Languages Assessments?
Yes. Log in to your account. You can preview the complete Languages Assessments (For Listening items, audio preview is also available) by clicking Students > Tests > Preview.
Help documentation
Which assessments can I assign?
It is important that teachers preview the assessments to determine the suitability for use with their students. An indication of where the Languages Assessments align with the Curriculum is available (below), however teachers have the flexibility to use their professional judgement to decide which assessment they wish to use to assess their students' listening and/or reading skills.
|
Assessment |
Victorian Curriculum F-10 Languages |
|
|
F-10 Sequence |
7-10 Sequence |
|
| Listening A | Approximately Levels 5 and 6 (receptive skills) | Approximately Levels 7 and 8 (receptive skills) |
| Listening B | Approximately Levels 7 and 8 (receptive skills) | Approximately Levels 7 and 8 (receptive skills) |
| Listening C | Approximately Levels 9 and 10 (receptive skills) | Approximately Levels 9 and 10 (receptive skills) |
| Reading A | Approximately Levels 5 and 6 (receptive skills) | Approximately Levels 7 and 8 (receptive skills) |
| Reading B | Approximately Levels 7 and 8 (receptive skills) | Approximately Levels 7 and 8 (receptive skills) |
| Reading C | Approximately Levels 9 and 10 (receptive skills) | Approximately Levels 9 and 10 (receptive skills) |
How long is the assessment?
Students should complete each test in one 40-minute session. The assessments are not automatically timed and teachers should monitor the time allowed.
What happens if the test is not completed in one 40-minute session?
Student responses are saved automatically as they move from question to question. Students need to log in again to access the saved test.
How are the VCAA Languages Assessments different to the Assessment of Languages Competence (ALC suite of tests)?
| ALC | VCAA Languages Assessments |
| Available for purchase | Available at NO cost to schools |
| Available nationally and internationally | Available to all Victorian schools across all sectors |
| 30 year history, test items aligned to Australian Curriculum | Launched in 2017, derived from ALC, assessment items aligned to Victorian Curriculum F-10 Languages, receptive skills in listening and reading |
| Online | Online |
|
Certificates 1,2 and 3 available for:
|
Currently available Across two to three levels of assessment (Assessments A, B, C)
|
| Listening and reading items in multiple choice format | Listening and reading items in multiple choice format |
| Some test items shared between ALC 2018 and VCAA Languages Assessments | Some items shared between VCAA Languages Assessments and ALC in 2018 |
| Student certificate of competency | No student certificate |
| Interactive school group report providing raw scores, achievement band and summary statistics | Instant student reports available online |
| Test items aligned to Australian Curriculum F-10 Achievement Standards | Test items aligned to Victorian Curriculum F-10 Achievement Standards (F-10 and 7-10 sequences) receptive skills in listening and reading |
| Help desk support included | Help desk support included |
I need help!
Log in to your account, and go to the Help Page for information.
I still need help!
Please contact ACER Help Desk:
Email: school.support@acer.org
Phone: 1300 006 577