What is the ATAR and how are Students Scored?

Table of Content:

• What is the ATAR?
• Why does the ATAR exist?
• How is the ATAR Calculated?
• What about Subject Scaling?
• Tips for maximising your ATAR
• FAQs

What is the ATAR?

The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is a number between 0.00 and 99.95, reported in increments of 0.05, that ranks a student’s performance relative to their peers. An ATAR of 80.00, for example, means you performed better than 80% of your year group.

It’s important to note that the ATAR is a rank, not a score. It doesn’t tell you how many marks you got out of 100 in your subjects – it tells you where you sit among all the students in your cohort across the country.

Why does the ATAR exist?

The ATAR is used primarily for university admissions. Since thousands of students apply for limited places in courses like medicine, law, and engineering, universities need a fair and standardised way to compare applicants. The ATAR provides that benchmark.

That said, while the ATAR is important, it's not the only way to get into university. Many institutions offer alternate entry pathways, such as early offers, portfolio applications, or bridging courses.

How is the ATAR Calculated?

Although the ATAR is a single number, calculating it is actually a bit complex, and it can differ slightly between states. But here’s a simplified version of how it works:

1. Raw HSC/VCE/SACE/WACE marks are scaled

Each state has its own system for final Year 12 exams — like the HSC in NSW, VCE in Victoria, QCE in Queensland, WACE in Western Australia, or SACE in South Australia.

Students will undergo between 5 to 7 subjects in year 12 and receive final marks for each of their subjects. These raw subject marks are scaled to account for differences in difficulty and competition between subjects. For example in the HSC, Extension Maths is scaled more heavily than General Maths.

This is done so that students aren’t disadvantaged (or unfairly advantaged) just because of the subjects they chose.

2. An aggregate score is calculated

Your subject scores are then added together to get an aggregate score. This aggregate is then used to determine your position in relation to all other students in your age group.

3. The ATAR is ranked

Once everyone’s aggregate scores are in, students are ranked from highest to lowest. The ATAR is your percentile rank among all students in your age cohort — not just those who completed Year 12.

So if you get an ATAR of 85.00, that means you performed better than 85% of your entire age group.

What about Subject Scaling?

You may have heard students talk about “easy” vs “hard” subjects and how some subjects “scale better.” This refers to scaling, a process designed to level the playing field between subjects of different difficulty.

For example, Extension or Specialist Maths might scale higher than General Maths because students who take it tend to perform better academically across all subjects. Scaling helps ensure that no student is disadvantaged, or unfairly advantaged, simply because of the subjects they chose.

At KIS Academics, we always recommend choosing subjects you enjoy and excel at, rather than trying to “game” the system with scaling.

Tips for Maximising your ATAR

While your ATAR might feel like the ultimate end goal of your high school journey, it’s actually the result of consistent effort over time. Here are a few ways you can boost your chances of getting the ATAR you want:

1. Play to your strengths: Pick subjects you're passionate about and perform well in.
2. Practice smart: Past papers, feedback from teachers, and targeted revision can help you study more efficiently.
3. Stay consistent: A little bit of work every day beats cramming the night before an exam. Work on getting a consistent and sustainable study routine!
4. Look after yourself: Sleep, nutrition, and mental health are just as important as academic performance.
5. Seek help early: If you’re falling behind, don’t wait until trials to ask for help. Tutoring can make a huge difference. Book a free 30-minute study skills consultation session with a KIS Academics tutor today:

Final thoughts

Your ATAR might feel like a single number that defines your future, but the truth is: it’s just one of many pathways. Whether you hit your target ATAR or not, there are countless options available, and success in life is never determined by a number alone.

Looking for expert guidance from tutors who’ve been there and done that? KIS Academics offers personalised tutoring, strategy sessions, and study support to help you achieve your academic potential – ATAR and beyond.

👉 Book a free consultation with a KIS tutor today! Or check out the resources below for more tips:

FAQs

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