We've all heard that scaling is not a free ticket to a higher study score. After all, scaling is used to account for the competitiveness of that subject's cohort.
However, there is one exception: VCE Languages.
In an effort from the government to encourage language studies, all languages are actually given extra scaling of up to 5 points. See here.
This means that a language that scales up 10 points from a raw 30 is actually less competitive than a non-language subject that scales up 10 points from a raw 30.
Looking at VCE Japanese Second Language, it historically scales up around 8 points from a raw 30.
Every year will be different as there is a different cohort each year, but a raw 30 has scaled up to a 38 for the last 4 years (2020–2023).
In 2023:
- A raw 30 scaled up to a 38
- A raw 35 scaled up to a 43
- A raw 40 scaled up to a 47
- A raw 45 scaled up to a 49
- A raw 50 scaled up to a 51!
Even with the extra scaling, that alone is not a good reason to take a VCE language subject such as Japanese. However, if you have been studying it for a few years and have a genuine interest in the language and culture, studying a VCE language can definitely be a rewarding experience both personally and academically!