What is the ATAR?

The ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) is a percentile rank, not a mark or percentage. It indicates your position relative to all students in your age cohort nationally, ranging from 0.00 to 99.95.

What the ATAR Means

An ATAR of 80.00 means you performed better than approximately 80% of students in your age group. An ATAR of 99.00 means you're in the top 1% nationally. The ATAR is calculated using your best senior secondary subject results after scaling and standardization processes that vary by state and territory.

What the ATAR is NOT

• Not a percentage: An ATAR of 85.00 does not mean you scored 85% in your exams. It's a rank, not a mark.
• Not a direct measure of intelligence: The ATAR reflects academic performance in specific subjects under specific conditions, not overall ability or potential.
• Not the only pathway to university: Many students enter university through alternative pathways including foundation programs, diplomas, portfolios, and mature age entry.
• Not permanent: While your ATAR doesn't change once issued, universities consider more recent achievements, work experience, and other qualifications for admission.

How is the ATAR Used?

Universities use the ATAR as one of several criteria for course admissions. Understanding how it works helps you make informed decisions about your academic pathway.

ATAR and Course Selection Ranks

Each university course publishes a selection rank or clearly-in rank indicating the ATAR (or equivalent) typically required for entry. However, selection ranks are not fixed cutoffs—they represent the rank of the lowest-ranked student offered a place in previous years. Competitive courses may have higher actual entry requirements.

Beyond the ATAR: Selection Ranks and Adjustment Factors

Many universities use a selection rank that differs from your raw ATAR through:

• Adjustment factors / bonus points: Additional points for equity schemes, subject performance (e.g., excelling in relevant subjects), regional students, or educational disadvantage.
• Subject prerequisites: Certain courses require specific subjects regardless of ATAR (e.g., Mathematics for Engineering, Chemistry for Medicine).
• Additional selection criteria: Portfolios (for creative arts), interviews (for teaching/health), aptitude tests (for medicine/law), work experience, or personal statements.

Alternative Pathways

The ATAR is not the only entry route to university:

• Foundation or bridging programs
• Diploma or associate degree pathways with credit transfer
• TAFE qualifications leading to university entry
• Portfolio or audition-based entry for creative disciplines
• Mature age entry (typically 21+ years)
• International Baccalaureate (IB) or other international qualifications converted to ATAR equivalents

How is the ATAR Calculated?

The ATAR calculation process varies by state and territory, but follows a general framework involving subject results, scaling, aggregation, and percentile conversion.

Step 1: Subject Results

You receive results for each senior secondary subject you complete (typically in Year 12, or Units 3 and 4 for VCE). These results combine school-based assessments and external examinations in proportions that vary by subject and state.

Step 2: Scaling and Standardization

Scaling adjusts subject results to account for differences in subject difficulty and the academic strength of each subject's cohort. If students taking a particular subject tend to perform strongly in all their other subjects, that subject receives positive scaling. This ensures fairness—students aren't penalized for choosing challenging subjects.

Scaling factors change annually based on current cohort performance, making historical data indicative but not definitive for future years.

Step 3: Aggregate Calculation

Your aggregate is calculated from your best subject results after scaling. The exact rules vary by state:

• VCE (Victoria): Top 4 subjects (must include English) plus 10% of your 5th and 6th subjects (called "increments")
• HSC (NSW): Best 10 units including at least 2 units of English, with additional units contributing proportionally
• QCE (Queensland): Best General subjects (typically 5) after scaling
• SACE (South Australia): Best Stage 2 subjects after scaling
• WACE (Western Australia): Four best scaled scores from ATAR courses

Step 4: Percentile Conversion

Your aggregate is converted to an ATAR using a conversion table that maps aggregate scores to percentile ranks. The conversion ensures ATARs represent true percentile positions within the national age cohort.

Subject Selection and the ATAR

Choosing the right subjects in Year 10 and 11 is crucial for maximizing your ATAR potential and keeping university pathways open. Here's what you need to know.

Prerequisites Come First

Many university courses require specific subjects. For example:

• Engineering: Mathematics (typically Methods or equivalent) and often Physics
• Medicine/Health Sciences: Chemistry, often Biology, sometimes Mathematics
• Commerce/Business: Often Mathematics (Methods or Applications)
• All courses: English (or approved equivalent) is almost universally required

Check university course requirements early. Missing a prerequisite can close pathways even with a high ATAR.

The Scaling vs Performance Balance

While some subjects scale more favorably than others, choosing subjects solely for scaling advantage can backfire. Key principles:

• Performance matters most: A high raw score in a lower-scaling subject can yield a better scaled result than a mediocre score in a high-scaling subject.
• Play to your strengths: Choose subjects you're genuinely interested in and good at. Engagement drives performance.
• Consider workload: Some high-scaling subjects (e.g., Specialist Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry) are demanding. Balance your subject load to avoid burnout.
• Scaling changes annually: Historical scaling data provides guidance but isn't guaranteed for future years.

English is Non-Negotiable

English (or an approved equivalent like Literature or English as an Additional Language) is almost always required for ATAR eligibility and university entry. Many systems require English in your top counted subjects. Strong English skills also support performance across all subjects through comprehension, analysis, and communication.

Breadth vs Specialization

Most systems reward breadth (completing more than the minimum subjects) as additional subjects can improve your aggregate if they perform well. However, quality over quantity applies—focus on excelling in core subjects rather than overextending.

ATAR Learning Tools

Use these interactive tools to better understand ATAR concepts. These are educational models only and do not calculate official ATARs.

Common Misconceptions About the ATAR