The 50% rule: how ICASS and the exam decide your result
What people mean by the 50% rule, and how your internal and external marks combine into one result.
You will often hear TVET students talk about "the 50% rule". It is a useful shorthand, but it is worth understanding exactly what it means, because it shapes how your final result is built.
Two halves of one result
For most subjects, your final promotion mark is built from two parts: the internal ICASS component and the external examination. In broad terms these two parts carry significant, comparable weight which is where the "50%" idea comes from. The exam alone does not decide your fate, and neither does ICASS alone.
Sub-minimums on both sides
Here is the part students miss: you have to clear a minimum on both sides. It is not enough to do brilliantly in the exam if your ICASS fell below its sub-minimum, and a great ICASS mark will not save you if you do not meet the exam minimum. Both components also have to be completed in the same academic year.
Different minimums for different subjects
The required minimum depends on the subject: 50% for vocational subjects, 40% for Languages and Life Skills, and 30% for Maths and Maths Literacy. Vocational subjects add a third compulsory piece, the ISAT, on top of ICASS and the exam.
What this means for you
Treat ICASS and the exam as equally important. Build a steady ICASS mark through the year so you walk into the exam with a buffer, not a deficit. And check your ICASS percentage regularly so you always know which side of the line you are on.