Scaling is a process used by VTAC to ensure fairness in calculating your ATAR scores. Since not all subjects are equally difficult or competitive, scaling adjusts raw study scores so that students across different subjects are assessed on a level playing field. Scaling varies every year depending on the cohort's performance, so let us breakdown the 2024 scaling report for you.
- How are VCE Subjects Scaled?
- How to Read the Scaling Report?
- How did subjects scale in 2024?
- What are the Top 10 Subjects for Scaling?
- FAQs
How are VCE Subjects Scaled?
In the VCE system, each subject is graded with a raw study score out of 50, reflecting a student’s performance relative to others in the same subject. But comparing raw scores across different subjects is not fair.
Thus, the VTAC compares a subject’s difficulty, popularity and competitiveness against another. Harder subjects like Specialist will scale up, whilst Further would scale down.
Remember, your study score and your ATAR are not fixed scores; they are rankings. Your scaled scores are entirely dependent on the strength of your cohort, and your own abilities. See how your school compares to the top schools in Victoria!
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How to Read the Scaling Report?
The 2024 Scaling Report provides a table showing scaled scores corresponding to raw scores for each subject. The scaled study scores are then combined into an aggregate score, which determines the ATAR. This calculation includes:
- The top four scaled scores, one of which must be an English study (e.g. English, Literature, or English Language).
- Ten percent of the scaled scores from up to two additional subjects.
The report includes a table linking scaled aggregates to ATAR percentiles, showing, for example, that a scaled aggregate of 154.85 corresponds to an ATAR of 90.00 in 2024. For more information on ATAR calculation, use our VCE ATAR Calculator!
How did Subjects scale in 2024?
English
- English Language scaled up by 2-3 marks, with an average study score of 32.6.
- English scales down by up to 3 marks.
- Literature scales up by 1.
- EAL ranges from -4 to +1.
- Scaling for English subjects has been mostly consistent for the past 3 years, and can be expected to stay the same for 2025.
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Maths
- Specialist Maths scales up by 8 to 13 marks, making it the highest-scaling math subject with an average study score of 41.6.
- Math Methods scales up by up to 6 marks.
- General Mathematics scales down by around 2 marks.
- Scaling for math subjects has been mostly consistent for the past 3 years, and can be expected to stay the same for 2025.
Science
- Chemistry and Physics consistently scale up significantly.
- Biology has minimal scaling.
- Psychology, Software Development and HHD often scale down.
Commerce
- Commerce subjects on average have minimal scaling.
- Accounting and Economics scale up slightly.
- Legal Studies and Business Management scale down by around 2.
Humanities
- Humanities subjects, with the exception of Politics, tend to be unaffected by scaling.
Visual Arts
- Visual Art subjects generally scale down by around 3.
Languages Other Than English (LOTE)
- LOTE subjects remain the highest-scaling subjects across the board.
- Latin, for the past 3 years, has had the highest scaling adjustments amongst VCE subjects, with raw scores of 40 scaling to 55.
VET Subjects
What are the Top 10 Subjects for Scaling?
Conclusion
If your subjects scale well, great for you! But if it doesn’t, it’s not the end of the world. A general misconception about scaling is that it “punishes” students for taking certain subjects. In reality, it is designed to ensure fairness, not to discourage or favour any particular subject.
Do not pick subjects based on scaling, but based on what you’re realistically good at and interested in. After all, a raw 50 will still be a scaled 50 (or even more!) no matter which subject you take. If you are struggling with any subjects now, a private tutor from KIS Academics will greatly benefit you!
FAQs
Should I pick Subjects that scale well?
- Do not pick subjects based on scaling!
- Choose subjects that you are good at, or enjoy studying.
- It is more important for you to do well in the subject than how well it scales.
How to Study for VCE?
- Do practice papers, and clarify any doubts with your teachers and tutors.
- Check out study guides by other graduates who aced their VCEs!
Written by KIS Academics Tutor for VCE English and Chemistry, Janice Mak. Janice is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Law/Commerce at UNSW and has received stellar reviews from her past KIS Academics students. You can view Janice’s profile here and request her as a tutor.
Want more personalised study guidance to help drastically improve your marks? A private tutor from KIS Academics can make the biggest difference!
