​What is the SACE?
The South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) is a qualification awarded to students who successfully complete their senior secondary education.
 
The SACE is designed to ensure it meets the needs of students, families, higher and further education providers, employers and the community. The SACE will help students develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed – whether they are headed for further education and training, university, an apprenticeship or straight into the workforce.
 
The certificate is based on two stages of achievement: Stage 1 (Year 11) and Stage 2 (Year 12). Students are able to study a wide range of subjects and courses as part of the SACE. A student’s SACE program commences in Year 10 with a compulsory subject called the Exploring Identities and Futures (formerly Personal Learning Plan).
 
What are some of the features of the SACE?
As part of the SACE students:

• receive credits for many different forms of education and training (such as academic subjects, learning a trade, TAFE, vocational training and community service), provided they are recognised by the SACE Board.
• are able to return to their studies at any time in the future to complete the SACE without losing credit for work already undertaken.
•  receive A-E grades in every Stage 1 subject.
• receive A+ to E- grades in every Stage 2 subject.
• are expected to gain and demonstrate essential skills and knowledge for their future; focusing on the SACE capabilities: Literacy, Numeracy, Information and Communication Technology. Critical and Creative thinking, Person and Social, Ethical Understanding, Intercultural Understanding.
• have outside moderators check the school-assessed parts of Stage 2 subjects to ensure consistent grading across the state.
• have 30% of their work in every Stage 2 subject externally assessed. This is assessed in various forms including exams,
• practical performances and presentations

Requirements to achieve the SACE:
Students need to earn 200 credits. Ten credits are equivalent to one semester (or six months’ study) in a particular subject or course.
 
Some elements of the SACE are compulsory.
These are:

• Exploring Identities and Futures (formerly PLP) at Stage 1, worth 10 credits.
• at least 20 credits towards literacy from a range of English studies at Stage 1.
• at least 10 credits towards numeracy from a range of Mathematics studies at Stage 1.
• a major project of extended studies called Activating Identities and Futures (formerly RP)  at Stage 2, worth 10 credits.
• completion of at least 60 additional credits in Stage 2 subjects and courses.

 
Students must achieve a minimum ‘C’ grade for all the compulsory subjects to achieve the SACE.
 
In addition to the compulsory elements, students will choose from a wide range of subjects and courses to earn the remaining 90 credits to gain the SACE. These include subjects and courses from either Stage 1 or Stage 2.