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VCE Exam Timetable 2026 – Complete Overview
The VCE Exam Timetable 2026 has been officially released by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA), outlining the key dates for the General Achievement Test (GAT), performance and oral examinations, language examinations, and written VCE exams. Knowing these important dates early allows Year 12 students to create a structured revision plan, manage their workload effectively, and approach the examination period with confidence.
The 2026 VCE oral examination period begins on Monday, 5 October 2026, while the written VCE examinations begin on Monday, 26 October 2026 and conclude on Wednesday, 18 November 2026. Below, you will find the complete VCE exam schedule, including subject examination dates and session times, along with useful information to help students prepare for the examination period with confidence.
Afternoon Session Start Times
| Days (Afternoon Session) | Afternoon Start Time |
|---|---|
| Friday 30 October, Monday 2 November, Tuesday 10 November, Thursday 12 November, Wednesday 18 November (two sessions only on these days) | 2:00 pm |
| All other days (three sessions scheduled) | 3:00 pm |
2026 VCE Examination Timetable – Complete Schedule
The VCE Exam Timetable 2026 includes separate examination dates and session times for each subject throughout the official exam period. On some days, students may have multiple exams scheduled across morning and afternoon sessions.
Check the complete VCE exam calendar 2026 below for detailed subject schedules, examination dates, and session times for all VCE subjects.
General Achievement Test (GAT) – Tuesday 16 June 2026
| Section | Time |
|---|---|
| Section A – Literacy (Reading and Writing) and Numeracy | 9:00 am – 9:15 am reading time 9:15 am – 11:15 am writing time |
| Section B – General Knowledge and Skills | 1:15 pm – 1:30 pm reading time 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm writing time |
The GAT is compulsory for ALL students enrolled in one or more VCE Unit 3–4 studies.
Extended Investigation – Wednesday 29 July 2026
| Date | Time | Subject(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Wed 29 July | 10:00 am – 11:30 am | Extended Investigation: Critical Thinking Test (computer-based) |
Performance & Oral Examinations – October 2026
| Period | Examinations |
|---|---|
| Mon 5 October – Mon 26 October | Languages oral examinations (except Classical Greek, Classical Hebrew, Aboriginal Languages of Victoria, Latin) Auslan Interactive Sign examination Performance examinations: Dance, VET Dance, Drama: Solo, Theatre Studies: Monologue |
| Mon 5 October – Sun 1 November | Performance examinations: Music Repertoire Performance Music Contemporary Performance VET Music Performance |
| Mon 12 October – Fri 23 October | Extended Investigation oral presentation |
Students will be notified of individual dates, times and locations via advice slips from Monday 27 July.
Languages (CCAFL) Written Examinations – Thursday 15 October 2026
| Date | Time | Subject(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Thu 15 Oct | 9:25 am – 12:30 pm | Classical Hebrew (commences with a 5 -minute reading period) |
| 2:00 pm – 4:10 pm | Armenian, Bengali, Bosnian, Chin Hakha, Croatian, Dutch, Filipino, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Karen, Khmer, Macedonian, Persian, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Sinhala, Swedish, Tamil, Turkish (each commences with a 10-minute reading period) | |
| 8:00 am – 6:00 pm | Auslan Sign Comprehension and Sign Production (scheduled in one two-hour session, each preceded by 10 minutes reading/viewing time) |
Friday 16 October 2026
| Date | Time | Subject(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Fri 16 Oct | 1:55 pm – 5:00 pm | Classical Greek (commences with a 5-minute reading period) |
VCE Written Examinations – 26 October to 18 November 2026
| Date | Time | Subject(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Tue 27 Oct | 9:00 am – 12:15 pm | English English as an Additional Language (EAL) |
| Wed 28 Oct | 9:00 am – 10:45 am | Agricultural and Horticultural Studies |
| 11:45 am – 1:30 pm | Art Making and Exhibiting | |
| 3:00 pm – 5:15 pm | English Language Vietnamese First Language Indonesian First Language |
|
| Thu 29 Oct | 9:00 am – 10:45 am | VET Business VET Community Services Theatre Studies |
| 11:45 am – 2:00 pm | Economics | |
| 3:00 pm – 5:15 pm | Chinese First Language KoreanJapanese First Language Literature First Language |
|
| Fri 30 Oct | 9:00 am – 11:45 am | Psychology |
| 2:00 pm – 3:45 pm | General Mathematics Examination 1 | |
| Note: Afternoon session starts at 2:00 pm (two sessions only this day). | ||
| Mon 2 Nov | 9:00 am – 11:45 am | Biology |
| 2:00 pm – 3:45 pm | General Mathematics Examination 2 | |
| Note: Afternoon session starts at 2:00 pm (two sessions only this day). | ||
Tuesday 3 November 2026 – Melbourne Cup Public Holiday – No Examinations Scheduled
| Date | Time | Subject(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Wed 4 Nov | 9:00 am – 10:45 am | Art Creative Practice VET Engineering Studies VET Health Allied VET Health Services Assistance |
| 11:45 am – 2:00 pm | Aboriginal Languages of Victoria Algorithmics (HESS) Classical Studies Korean Second Language Vietnamese Second Language |
|
| 3:00 pm – 5:15 pm | Business Management | |
| Thu 5 Nov | 9:00 am – 10:15 am | Mathematical Methods Examination 1 Music Composition |
| 11:45 am – 1:30 pm | VET Equine Studies VET Hospitality |
|
| 3:00 pm – 5:15 pm | Chinese Language, Culture and Society Health and Human Development |
|
| Fri 6 Nov | 9:00 am – 10:45 am | Dance VET Integrated Technologies |
| 11:45 am – 2:00 pm | Mathematical Methods Examination 2 | |
| 3:00 pm – 5:15 pm | Arabic Legal Studies VET Creative and Digital Media |
|
| Mon 9 Nov | 9:00 am – 10:15 am | Music Inquiry Specialist Mathematics Examination 1 |
| 11:45 am – 2:00 pm | Applied Computing: Data Analytics Physical Education Spanish |
|
| 3:00 pm – 5:15 pm | History: Revolutions Industry and Enterprise |
|
| Tue 10 Nov | 9:00 am – 11:45 am | Chemistry |
| 2:00 pm – 4:15 pm | Environmental Science Greek Media Text and Traditions |
|
| Note: Afternoon session starts at 2:00 pm (two sessions only this day). | ||
| Wed 11 Nov | 9:00 am – 10:45 am | VET Furnishing Visual Communication Design |
| 11:45 am – 2:00 pm | History: Australian History Outdoor and Environmental Studies Specialist Mathematics Examination 2 |
|
| 3:00 pm – 5:15 pm | Accounting | |
| Thu 12 Nov | 9:00 am – 11:45 am | Physics |
| 2:00 pm – 4:15 pm | History: Ancient History Geography Sociology |
|
| Note: Afternoon session starts at 2:00 pm (two sessions only this day). | ||
| Fri 13 Nov | 9:00 am – 10:45 am | Product Design and Technologies VET Information and Communications Technology VET Music (Sound Production) |
| 11:45 am – 1:30 pm | Drama VET Sport and Recreation |
|
| 3:00 pm – 5:15 pm | Applied Computing: Software Development German Philosophy |
|
| Mon 16 Nov | 9:00 am – 10:45 am | Food Studies |
| 11:45 am – 1:30 pm | VET Hospitality (Cookery) VET Laboratory Skills Systems Engineering |
|
| 3:00 pm – 5:15 pm | Latin Politics Religion and Society | |
| Tue 17 Nov | 9:00 am – 10:15 am | Music Contemporary Performance Music Repertoire Performance |
| 11:45 am – 2:00 pm | Indonesian Second Language Italian | |
| 3:00 pm – 5:15 pm | Foundation Mathematics French | |
| Wed 18 Nov | 9:00 am – 11:15 am | Japanese Second Language |
| 2:00 pm – 4:15 pm | Chinese Second Language Chinese Second Language Advanced |
|
| Note: Afternoon session starts at 2:00 pm (two sessions only this day). This is the FINAL day of the 2026 VCE written examination period. | ||
Subjects with Audio Components
The following written examinations have an audio component:
- Music Composition
- Music Contemporary Performance
- Music Inquiry
- Music Repertoire Performance
- VET Music (Sound Production)
- All Languages, including Chinese Language, Culture and Society
Note – Auslan, Aboriginal Languages of Victoria, Classical Greek, Classical Hebrew and Latin do NOT have an audio component.
Important Rules for All Students
Students sitting VCE examinations in 2026 should carefully follow all VCAA examination rules and assessment procedures. Important instructions include:
- Arrive at least 30 minutes before the examination starts.
- Be familiar with the rules about late admission to examinations.
- Each examination commences with a 15-minute reading period (unless otherwise specified), which is included in the timetable times.
- All written responses must be completed in English unless otherwise instructed.
- Students presenting for Performance examinations, Languages oral examinations or the Extended Investigation oral presentation must present photo identification and their examination advice slip for entry.
How to Prepare for the 2026 VCE Exams?
Preparing early for the VCE exams can significantly improve confidence and academic performance. Students should:
-
Create a Study Schedule
Use the official VCE exam timetable 2026 to organise study blocks for each subject. Prioritise difficult subjects and allocate time for revision and practice exams.
-
Practise Past VCE Exams
Completing past VCAA examination papers helps students become familiar with exam structure, question styles, and time management.
-
Focus on Time Management
Effective time management during exams is essential. Practising under timed conditions can help improve writing speed and accuracy.
-
Maintain Healthy Study Habits
Students should maintain regular sleep, exercise, hydration, and balanced nutrition during the exam period.
Students taking subjects such as English, Mathematical Methods, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Psychology, Legal Studies, Business Management, and Specialist Mathematics should begin revision well before Term 4.
Prepare for VCE Exams 2026 with Expert VCE Tutors in Melbourne
Preparing for VCE exams can be challenging, but the right support can help students stay confident and organised. The VCE Exam Timetable 2026 helps students understand important examination dates, subject schedules, and assessment timelines.
At Emu Education, we provide expert VCE tutoring in Melbourne across subjects including English, Maths, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, and Psychology. Our experienced tutors offer personalised learning, revision support, and exam preparation strategies to help students improve study scores and achieve strong ATAR results. Call 0479 190 *** or email info@emueducation.com.au for more information.
FAQs
The General Achievement Test is on Tuesday, 16 June 2026 – Section A in the morning and Section B in the afternoon.
The 2026 VCE exam period officially starts on Monday, 5 October 2026, beginning with Performance and Languages oral examinations. The VCE written examination period begins on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, with English and EAL.
The 2026 VCE results and ATARs will be released on Thursday, 10 December 2026.
If you miss an exam due to illness or circumstances beyond your control, you may be eligible for a Derived Examination Score (DES). Contact your school’s VCE coordinator as soon as possible and ensure you have the relevant documentation.
