Queensland Core Skills Test marks big week for Year 12 students

Year 12 students will reach an important milestone this week when they sit the annual Queensland Core Skills (QCS) Test.

Education Minister Kate Jones said about 28,000 students would sit four test papers on Tuesday and Wednesday— a writing task, two multiple choice papers, and a short response paper.

“The Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority uses the test results to fairly compare the achievements of students studying different subjects at different schools,” Ms Jones said.

“While achievement in school subjects is the most important factor in calculating a student’s OP for tertiary entrance, they must sit the QCS Test to receive one.

“Even if a student isn’t going for an OP, a grade of ‘C’ or above will ensure they meet the literacy and numeracy requirements for the Queensland Certificate of Education.”

Ms Jones said the test assessed student achievement in skills that were common across all subjects in the senior curriculum.

“Each test paper has questions related to stimulus materials such as poetry, prose, graphs, tables, mathematical and scientific data, and works of art,” she said.

“The test encourages students to demonstrate skills such as hypothesising, writing, analysing, and calculating.

"I wish every student the best of luck and thank the teachers who have prepared them to achieve to their full potential.

“The QCS Test is a key feature of the current system to ensure fairness and reliability.”

Ms Jones said the final QCS Test would be held in 2018.

“A new system of senior assessment will start with students entering Year 11 in 2018 — these are our current Year 9 students.

“The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) will replace the OP from 2019.” 

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