Equivalent of VCE overseas

[xXNovaxX]

j/w, we have the VCE where you complete such and such units, in year 11 and 12, gain an ENTER between 0 and 99.95, with study scores in each subject. NSW has HSC, etc

How does it work in other countries? I had a really quick long on the Princeton Uni in the USA website, and couldn't find entry requirements into courses.

But in GENERAL, how does the highschool (and entry into Uni based on results) system work in a variety of countries/or how is the education system? Maybe someone could enlighten us from experience or knowledge? Would be interesting to see how it works in other countries, both english and non-english speaking.

[EvangelionZeta]

A lot of places use IB (including certain Australian schools), where you have to do six subjects.  The catch is that five of them have to be from different disciplines (one English, one Maths, one Science, one language and one humanities), with a sixth that is up to personal preference (can be another science or humanities generally).  In year 12 you'll also pick three of these subjects to do "Higher Level" in, so a sample IB course would be HL English, SL Maths, SL Physics, HL Latin, HL History, and SL Economics.  In the process they also have to write an Extended Essay (3000 words) and do this pseudo-Philosophy course called Theory of Knowledge.  Generally speaking SL is about lower VCE level (eg. SL Maths is roughly Methods) whereas HL is upper VCE level/lower Uni level (HL Maths combines something like Spesh and 1st year Uni Maths).  

US uses SAT primarily (I think?), which is basically a series of three tests which you can't "study" for (kind of like the UMAT).  Each is marked out of 800, and the three tests are on Maths, English and Writing.

[xXNovaxX]

I have always heard about the IB aka International Bachelorate. Wow, sounds interesting but hard.

And if you are right about the USA using the SAT, that's so harsh!! I am visualising a GAT dictating whether you get into Uni. Argh
EDIT: found this..

*The SAT Reasoning Test (formerly Scholastic Aptitude Test and Scholastic Assessment Test) is a standardized test for college admissions in the United States.

*possible scores from 600 to 2400 combining test results from three 800-point sections (math, critical reading, and writing), along with other subsections scored separately.

*The College Board states that the SAT measures literacy, numeracy, and writing skills that are needed for academic success in college. They state that the SAT assesses how well the test takers analyze and solve problems—skills they learned in school that they will need in college. The SAT is typically taken by high school juniors and seniors. Specifically, the College Board states that use of the SAT in combination with high school grade point average (GPA) provides a better indicator of success in college than high school grades alone.

I will NEVER, EVER, EVER EVER complain about VCE again. Should be grateful for how it is here.

(more info on wikipedia).

+ sample questions here
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/prep_one/sent_comp/pracStart.html?AffiliateId=QOTD&BannerId=PracQuestions

[minilunchbox]

As well as SATs you apply to a number of Colleges by writing a personal essay (I am so happy we don't have to do this here). They also look at your extra-curriculars and you should have a LOT (again, I'm glad that doesn't apply here). If you're aiming for an Ivy League, the number of extra-curriculars you should do would be even more ridiculous (but having money helps).

[xXNovaxX]

dam, dam, dam! So strict! I wonder how people manage to get through all this. The thing that surprises me is it sounds like your trying to get into Yale or something, it's not like every Uni in USA is top notch for you to have to undertake this procedure.

And about extra curricular activities,

*not everybody has time to undertake this either because of
*not the type of person
*a disinterest in sport,
*lack of time because of homework,
*lack of time because of part time work,
*lack of time because of family commitments.

all hail VCE.

[cobby]

I have always heard about the IB aka International Bachelorate. Wow, sounds interesting but hard.

And if you are right about the USA using the SAT, that's so harsh!! I am visualising a GAT dictating whether you get into Uni. Argh
EDIT: found this..

*The SAT Reasoning Test (formerly Scholastic Aptitude Test and Scholastic Assessment Test) is a standardized test for college admissions in the United States.

*possible scores from 600 to 2400 combining test results from three 800-point sections (math, critical reading, and writing), along with other subsections scored separately.

*The College Board states that the SAT measures literacy, numeracy, and writing skills that are needed for academic success in college. They state that the SAT assesses how well the test takers analyze and solve problems—skills they learned in school that they will need in college. The SAT is typically taken by high school juniors and seniors. Specifically, the College Board states that use of the SAT in combination with high school grade point average (GPA) provides a better indicator of success in college than high school grades alone.

I will NEVER, EVER, EVER EVER complain about VCE again. Should be grateful for how it is here.

(more info on wikipedia).

+ sample questions here
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/prep_one/sent_comp/pracStart.html?AffiliateId=QOTD&BannerId=PracQuestions

Im sitting the SAT next month (Y)

Also, if you are an international athlete going into the US College System, they only look at the Mathematics and Critical Reading Sections, hence your mark is out of 1600 - English/Essay Writing is ignored.

[/0]

I've heard they don't even learn calculus in highschools in the USA
I reckon you could own the SAT if you spent the whole day reading through dictionaries and doing IQ tests

[EvangelionZeta]

Nah, on SAT you get questions asking you to identify stuff like anthropomorphism, parallelism, etc.  It's certainly not "easy" to do well.  (:

[mypurpleundercracka]

I have always heard about the IB aka International Bachelorate. Wow, sounds interesting but hard.

And if you are right about the USA using the SAT, that's so harsh!! I am visualising a GAT dictating whether you get into Uni. Argh
EDIT: found this..

*The SAT Reasoning Test (formerly Scholastic Aptitude Test and Scholastic Assessment Test) is a standardized test for college admissions in the United States.

*possible scores from 600 to 2400 combining test results from three 800-point sections (math, critical reading, and writing), along with other subsections scored separately.

*The College Board states that the SAT measures literacy, numeracy, and writing skills that are needed for academic success in college. They state that the SAT assesses how well the test takers analyze and solve problems—skills they learned in school that they will need in college. The SAT is typically taken by high school juniors and seniors. Specifically, the College Board states that use of the SAT in combination with high school grade point average (GPA) provides a better indicator of success in college than high school grades alone.

I will NEVER, EVER, EVER EVER complain about VCE again. Should be grateful for how it is here.

(more info on wikipedia).

+ sample questions here
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/prep_one/sent_comp/pracStart.html?AffiliateId=QOTD&BannerId=PracQuestions

Im sitting the SAT next month (Y)

Also, if you are an international athlete going into the US College System, they only look at the Mathematics and Critical Reading Sections, hence your mark is out of 1600 - English/Essay Writing is ignored.

u gotta go overseas to do the SAT or ?

[cobby]

u gotta go overseas to do the SAT or ?

Haileybury in Keysy

[Tashi]

The UK uses 'A levels' or known as GSCE pretty sure.
There are a lot of reports that it's too easy and many get A's.

I'm so glad we have VCE because I hate those SAT type tests. They're pretty much impossible to study for because it tests more on your 'potential' and not what you know. Also you lose points for answering incorrectly, so if you are unsure you have to decide whether to guess and lose points or leave it blank.

I would love to go study overseas in the US but I think I'll just try to go on exchange. It's really expensive aswell!!

[appianway]

GSCE's more like the year 10 qualification. A levels are the year 12 equivalent. I was under the impression that around 10% got As for each subject, so an A corresponds to roughly a 40+ study score.

The US has SAT1s and SAT2s, to my knowledge. SAT1s are more like aptitude tests (and students can sit the ACT instead), but the SAT2s are on specific subjects.

[EvangelionZeta]

I think the SAT1s seem to be the bigger deal though (?).  Don't quote me on that.