About 83,000 students across the state woke to text messages alerting them of their Australian Tertiary Admission Rank while others chose to go online. 

About 49,950 students will graduate with their Victorian Certificate of Education while more than 12,000 students will receive their Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning. 

More than half of Girton Grammar School's graduating cohort finished in the top 20 per cent of the state with 80.5 the school's median ATAR score.

Principal Matthew Maruff said the results were outstanding. 

"What gives me great pride is the depth of these results with more than half of our students finishing in the top 20 per cent of the state," he said. 

"This remarkable result means that almost all of our students can look forward to receiving first preferences when the tertiary offers are made in January." 

Thirteen per cent of students at Catholic College Bendigo received an ATAR of more than 90 while 28 per cent received a score of 80 and over. 

Principal Darren McGregor said the results were a testament to the students and teaching staff. 

"In our commitment to offer a range of pathways we celebrate not only the excellent results achieved by our VCE students but also the students who completed their VCAL with a 100 per cent pass rate," he said. 

"This will open doors for them to enter TAFE and trade careers”.

Bendigo Senior Secondary College had four students who achieved study scores of 50 in English, further mathematics, business management and studio arts. 

Thirteen students achieved an ATAR score of 96 and above and is the highest performing school in Bendigo with two students receiving 99.5. 

Principal Dale Pearce said students got out of VCE what they put in. 

"I am really pleased with all the results," he said. 

"It's now time for students to breathe a bit easier before getting university and TAFE offers."

Mr Pearce encouraged students to pursue careers in a field they enjoy. 

"As long as they study something they enjoy they will be fine," he said. 

"I wish them luck."

The Bendigo Advertiser will publish a list of central Victoria's top subject scorers in its Wednesday edition.  

madeleine.wines@fairfaxmedia.com.au

For a story about Girton Grammar School dux students go here.

For a story about Bendigo Senior Secondary College's dux students go here. 

For a story about Catholic College Bendigo's dux students go here.

For information about the change of preference period go here.