What are FPs?
FPs are additional rank orders that supplement an OP. The term “field” refers to areas of emphasis in the senior curriculum. FPs are used by tertiary institutions to help differentiate between students with the same OP, for example when the number of eligible applicants exceeds the number of places for a course. A student may receive up to five FPs, depending on their subject choices. FPs are reported in 10 bands, from one (the highest) to 10 (the lowest) in the following fields:
- Field A — extended written expression involving complex analysis and synthesis of ideas
- Field B — short written communication involving reading, comprehension and expression in English or a foreign language
- Field C — basic numeracy involving simple calculations and graphical and tabular interpretation
- Field D — solving complex problems involving mathematical symbols and abstractions
- Field E — substantial practical performance involving physical or creative arts or expressive skills.
Subject weights
When calculating FPs, the QSA uses subject achievement indicators (SAIs) for the subjects that contribute to a particular field. Subjects do not contribute equally to FPs, and some subjects do not contribute any weight to some fields. The extent to which a subject contributes to each FP depends on that subject’s “weight”. Subject weights change every year as syllabuses are updated. The subjects weights table used should correspond with the year the student is expected to exit Year 12.
- Subject weights for 2013 (PDF, 71 kB)
- Subject weights for 2012 (PDF, 159 kB)
- Subject weights for 2011 (PDF, 160 kB)
- Subject weights for 2010 (PDF, 160 kB)
- Subject weights for 2009 (PDF, 165 kB)
Eligibility for FPs
Eligibility for an FP in a particular field depends on the combination of Authority subjects studied. For details, see the fact sheet
- New Eligibility for Field Positions (FPs) (PDF, 145 kB)
Detailed information for schools about determining eligibility for FPs
Last updated: 20 December 2011