2015 Notes from the Marking Centre – VET Automotive
Introduction
This document has been produced for the teachers and candidates of the Stage 6 Automotive course. It contains comments on candidate responses to the 2015 Higher School Certificate examination, highlighting their strengths in particular parts of the examination and indicating where candidates need to improve.
This document should be read along with:
- the Automotive Curriculum Framework Stage 6 Syllabus
- the 2015 Higher School Certificate Automotive examination
- the marking guidelines
- advice for candidates attempting VET examinations
- advice for HSC students about examinations
- other support documents developed by the Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards NSW to assist in the teaching and learning of Automotive in Stage 6.
Vehicle Body
Section II
Candidates showed strength in these areas:
- outlining the materials required to clean up an oil spill (Q16)
- providing an example of trade water waste disposal (Q17a)
- outlining at least one consequence of incorrect trade waste disposal (Q17b)
- understanding the purpose of the Australian Design Rules (Q18)
- connecting all components of an electrical circuit to form a complete circuit (Q19a)
- understanding that voltage drop is measured across two points of a circuit (Q19b)
- outlining a procedure to replace a car door (Q20b)
- understanding the reason for loosening off a vice when not in use (Q21a)
- identifying the hazards associated with automotive equipment (Q21c)
- identifying an advantage of electric power tools (Q21d).
Candidates need to improve in these areas:
- outlining a specific acceptable method for disposal of oil waste (Q16)
- including industry-specific examples (Q17b)
- providing specific examples of vehicle design features related to safety and compliance (Q18)
- constructing a circuit so that the parking lights are connected in parallel (Q19a)
- identifying the components represented on electrical circuit diagrams (Q19a)
- recognising a valid reason why replacing a car door may be a better option to repairing it (Q20a)
- listing the personal protective equipment required when using an electric welder (Q21c).
Section III
Q22
Candidates showed strength in these areas:
- explaining the basic steps in dismantling vehicle body components
- identifying a range of vehicle components that require removal for vehicle body restoration
- using industry terminology.
Candidates need to improve in these areas:
- explaining the preparation required prior to dismantling a vehicle, including the list of tools and safety considerations
- providing a systematic approach to dismantling a vehicle
- explaining the importance of labelling components to ensure correct reassembly
- understanding the construction of modern vehicles and the subsequent additional requirements in comparison to older classic cars
- providing a detailed response.
Section IV
Q23
Candidates showed strength in these areas:
- explaining the challenges faced by the industry as a result of changes in technology
- providing examples of changes within the automotive industry
- detailing the consequences business face if they do not adapt to change.
Candidates need to improve in these areas:
- providing detail about the ways the repair industry has adapted to the challenges
- providing links between vehicle technology and the impact on automotive businesses
- identifying emerging vehicle designs that manufactures are developing to improve sustainability
- explaining how industry workplace procedures are changing to improve sustainable practices
- providing a detailed response using industry specific examples.
Mechanical Technology
Section II
Candidates showed strength in these areas:
- outlining the materials required to clean up an oil spill (Q16)
- providing an example of trade water waste disposal (Q17a)
- outlining at least one consequence of incorrect trade waste disposal (Q17b)
- understanding the purpose of the Australian Design Rules (Q18)
- connecting all components of an electrical circuit to form a complete circuit (Q19a)
- understanding that voltage drop is measured across two points of a circuit (Q19b)
- describing why motorsport vehicles require high-performance braking systems (Q20)
- understanding the reason for loosening off a vice when not in use (Q21a)
- identifying the hazards associated with automotive equipment (Q21c)
- identifying an advantage of electric power tools (Q21d).
Candidates need to improve in these areas:
- outlining a specific acceptable method for disposal of oil waste (Q16)
- using industry-specific examples (Q17b)
- providing specific examples of vehicle design features related to safety and compliance (Q18)
- constructing a circuit so that the parking lights are connected in parallel (Q19a)
- identifying the components represented on electrical circuit diagrams (Q19a)
- using industry terminology (Q19b)
- providing examples of brake system component developments that have been influenced by the motor sports industry (Q20)
- listing the personal protective equipment required when using an electric welder (Q21c).
Section III
Q22
Candidates showed strength in these areas:
- understanding the importance of valve timing
- providing an explanation of how to adjust the valve clearance
- using industry terminology.
Candidates need to improve in these areas:
- identifying the features of a valve timing diagram
- providing a detailed description on how to set up valve/cam timing
- describing a range of examples for how the information is used by a mechanic
- providing a detailed response.
Section IV
Q23
Candidates showed strength in these areas:
- explaining the challenges faced by the industry as a result of changes in technology
- providing examples of changes within the automotive industry
- detailing the consequences for a business if they do not adapt to change.
Candidates need to improve in these areas:
- providing details about the ways the repair industry has adapted to the challenges
- providing links between vehicle technology and the impact on automotive businesses
- identifying emerging vehicle designs that manufacturers are developing to improve sustainability
- explaining how industry workplace procedures are changing to improve sustainable practices
- providing a detailed response using industry specific examples.
NSW Government