The Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) is the credential given to students who have completed senior secondary education (Year 11 and Year 12) in the state of Western Australia, Australia, and is intended to become the Western Australian certificate within the Australian Certificate of Education, part of the Australian Qualifications Framework. From 2010 onwards, WACE is now also the umbrella term given to the set of final examinations that are completed by Year 12 students, replacing the TEE (Tertiary Entrance Exam).
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WACE is a type of diploma awarded by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority. It is compulsory to sit English and four other subjects for WACE, Previously, it was also required that students sit a Mathematics course exam, but this has since been removed.
Prerequisites
As of 2010, the requirements for successful completion of WACE are:
WACE examinations
In a first for Western Australia, under the WACE system as opposed to the previous TEE, it is compulsory for all students to sit the final examination for each of their subjects, unless exempt.
All remaining subjects from the predecessor to the WACE, the TEE, will be converted to the new WACE standard as of 2010. Some subjects were already under the new WACE system as early as 2005, such as 3A/3B English, 2C/2D English and Applied Information Technology. To apply for university, students must gain 4 3A/3B subject at WACE level (except 2C/2D Maths, as this can count as a stage 3 subject)
WACE in other countries
The WACE is also available overseas in South East Asia. This offers an affordable option for international students who would otherwise not have the opportunity take this exam in Australia. Exams are invigilated and moderated by SCSA. Several centres are available in Malaysia where the WACE curriculum is delivered.