Since ATAR is a ranking instead of a score, all states have to scale and standardise students' grades in order to rank them all on a level field. Let us explain how the SACE is scaled, and how a student's ATAR is calculated.
- What is Scaling?
- How does SACE Scaling work?
- What were the Scaling Trends from Previous Years?
- How will SACE score be Converted to the ATAR?
What is Scaling?
Scaling is something SATAC does to manipulate a student's exam score. This is so that students can be fairly compared with the rest of the cohort, no matter what subjects they took.
Scaling is necessary because subjects have varying levels of difficulties, making it difficult to just compare the grades as they are. This means that students' scores for harder subjects (based on data from past years) will be scaled up, while 'easier subjects' get scaled down.
Scaling ensures fair comparisons between the different subjects so that ATAR scoring does not disadvantage students who chose the more challenging subjects.
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How does SACE Scaling Work?
Your SACE score is made up of:
- 70% of your internal assessment mark
- 30% of your externally assessed assessment mark
How is SACE Raw Score Calculated?
SATAC takes all results for all SACE subjects and analyses them according to what is called the Equal Achievement Principle:
- SATAC takes your grades from your assessment tasks in each subject and assigns them a numeric equivalent, according to this table below.
- Then, using the weightings applied for each assessment task, an overall numerical score is calculated for each subject.
- Your final raw score will be the sum of this score and a numeric result of the externally assessed component to give you a final score out of 15.
Internal score out of 10.5 (70%) + the externally assessed contribution out of 4.5 (30%) = SACE subject score
How are the Scores then Scaled?
Standardising is done by comparing common candidature - students that take both subjects.
Let's take English and Biology for example. Looking at the students who took both English and Biology, they had an average English score of 95 and a Biology score of 85. This implies to SATAC that Biology was more challenging than English, and thus the subjects will be scaled accordingly until the average subject scores are the same.
This process is done with every subject combination possible until all SACE subjects have been sufficiently standardised.
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What were the Scaling Trends from Previous Years?
Scaling trends will differ year by year because it is determined by the performance of the cohort, difficulty of the exam and popularity of the subject that year. However, there are some general trends that seem to repeat themselves:
- B grade in examined subjects gives approximately the same scaled score as an A grade in non-examined subjects.
- C grade in any science gives a higher scaled score than a B grade in PE, Art, Tech or Outdoor Ed.
- C in Mathematical Methods is approximately the same as B in General Mathematics (plus 2 bonus points).
How will SACE score be Converted to the ATAR?
- Each SACE student then receives a University aggregate out of 90, which is then converted to an Australian Tertiary Admission Ranking (ATAR) with a maximum ranking of 99.95.
- To calculate an ATAR from your university aggregate, SATAC looks at the percentage of students who achieved the same aggregate as you, or better.
- SATAC then assigns a percentile rank out of 100 for each university aggregate achieved. For example, if you get an aggregated score of 80 and it is found that 10% of SACE students got 80 or above then it is safe to conclude you sit in the top 10% of students - thus giving you an ATAR of 90.00.
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Conclusion
There it is; the full breakdown on what scaling is, and how it works in SACE. Scaling is meant to ensure a fair comparison so that ATARs are more accurate. However, this should not be the main factor in choosing your SACE subjects. If you are struggling to choose your subjects, check out this guide from KIS Academics:
Manoj ArachigeFAQs
Will I see my Scaled Scores?
- Scaled scores for individual subjects are not published for each student.
- You receive your grades and your ATAR, but not the exact scaled score for each subject.
What are Common Misconceptions about Scaling?
- There is a misconception that choosing a traditionally scaled-up subject guarantees a higher ATAR. However, the fact is if you perform poorly in a difficult subject, scaling will not compensate for a low mark.
- If you are struggling with your grades right now, a tutor from KIS Academics will help!
Does SATAC give out additional Adjustment Factors?
- Yes, they do! Find out more in this KIS Academics article here.
Want more personalized study guidance to help drastically improve your marks? A private tutor can make the biggest difference!
