Can You Still Get a 90+ ATAR If You’re Behind?

This is a question I hear every single year. A student walks in around this time of year, sits down, and says something like:

“I think I’ve messed up… I’m behind. Is it still possible to get a 90+ ATAR?”

And my answer is almost always the same.

Yes — but not in the way you think...

First, let’s define what “behind” actually means

Most students feel behind, but when we unpack it, it usually comes down to one (or more) of these:

• You didn’t do as well as you hoped in your first SAC or internal
• You don’t fully understand a few key topics
• Your notes are messy or incomplete
• You’ve been a bit inconsistent with study
• You’re comparing yourself to that one friend who seems to have it all together

None of these mean you’re “behind.” They mean you’re… normal. Even I wasn't the perfect student, and getting a good ATAR doesn't mean being perfect all year round. Remember the ATAR is a marathon not a sprint! It's about picking yourself up from those bad marks and keep trying even harder. The ATAR rewards consistency, and with final exams carrying a big weight of your final result, there is always time to turn it around.

The biggest myth: “I needed to start earlier”

There’s this idea that 90+ ATAR students have been perfectly disciplined since Day 1. They haven’t. Most of the high scorers I’ve worked with had a turning point — a moment where they realised:

“Okay, I actually need to take this seriously now.”

For some, that’s Term 1. For others, it’s halfway through the year. And for some, it’s even later than that.

What matters isn’t when you start. It’s what you do once you realise.

What actually determines a 90+ ATAR from here?

At this point in the year, your ATAR isn’t decided by what’s already happened.

It’s decided by how you respond.

From a tutor’s perspective, there are three things that separate students who bounce back from those who stay stuck.

1. They fix gaps properly (not just “go over” content)

A common mistake I see is students saying:

“Yeah I’ll just revise that topic.”

But “revision” only works if you understood it properly the first time.

If you didn’t, you need to go deeper:

• Re-learn the concept from scratch
• Ask questions (even the “basic” ones)
• Do targeted questions until it clicks

This is especially true in subjects like Maths and Physics, where gaps compound quickly.

2. They stop trying to do everything

This might sound counterintuitive, but trying to “catch up on everything” usually leads to burnout.

High-performing students get selective.

They focus on:

• The most heavily assessed topics
• The areas they’re consistently losing marks in
• The skills that actually move their rank (exam technique, timing, structure)

You don’t need to be perfect everywhere.

You need to be strong where it matters.

3. They shift from passive to active study

Reading notes. Highlighting. Rewatching videos.

It feels productive, but it’s not enough.

The students who turn things around start doing more:

• Practice exams (even before they feel ready)
• Timed questions
• Writing full responses and getting feedback

It’s uncomfortable at first.

But that’s where improvement actually happens.

Let’s talk about SACs (because everyone stresses about them)

Yes, SACs matter.

But they’re not the whole story.

Your final ATAR is heavily influenced by:

• Your ranking within your cohort
• Your exam performance, which can scale your SAC scores up

I’ve seen students:

• Start with average SAC results
• Improve steadily
• Smash the final exam
• And end up with scores way higher than they expected

So if your early SACs weren’t great?

It’s not ideal — but it’s far from over.

What I tell my own students in this situation

If you came to me right now and said:

“I’m behind but I want a 90+ ATAR”

I wouldn’t give you a motivational speech, I’d say this:

You have a window.

Not forever. Not unlimited.

But a very real window where a focused 8–12 weeks can completely change your trajectory.

And it comes down to a simple shift:

‼️ "Stop worrying about how far behind you are, and start acting like the student you need to become."

That means:

• Being consistent (even when motivation drops)
• Asking for help early
• Tracking your weak areas honestly
• Putting yourself in slightly uncomfortable study situations

So… can you still do it?

Yes! But not by hoping things magically improve... And not by doing the same things you’ve been doing so far.

A 90+ ATAR from this position is earned through a change in approach — not just more effort, but better effort.

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🚀 Ready to Turn Things Around?

If you’re reading this and thinking “okay, I get it… but I don’t know where to start” — that’s exactly where the right support makes a difference.

At KIS Academics, we work with students in this exact position every year — students who feel behind, overwhelmed, or unsure how to improve. And what we focus on isn’t just “more study,” but the right strategy:

• Identifying your weakest areas quickly
• Building a clear, structured plan (so you’re not guessing what to study)
• Practising exam-style questions with detailed feedback
• Keeping you accountable so you actually stay consistent

Because the truth is — most students don’t need to work harder.
They just need to work smarter, with guidance.

If you’re aiming for a 90+ ATAR and want to make the most of the time you have left, now’s the moment to get serious about your approach.

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