KIS Summary:
- Explains what the WACE is, and how your ATAR is calculated from your WACE results.
- Summarises the WACE requirements that have to be met for a WACE certificate to be awarded.
- Provides a brief explanation of what scaling is and how it affects your ATAR.
⭐️ Why Parents & Students Love KIS Tutoring
Both parents and students alike have a plethora of questions when it comes to upper school, especially regarding WACE, ATAR, scaling and so much more! So here is your concise survival guide to help understand the system a little better! If you're still unsure how exactly the ATAR is calculated, check out our comprehensive guide to the ATAR.
Table of Content:
- What is the Western Australian Certificate of Education?
- How is the ATAR calculated from your WACE?
- How to Choose subjects for Years 11 and 12?
What is Western Australian Certificate of Education?
WACE stands for the Western Australian Certificate of Education. This is a certificate that students receive on successful completion of the requirements of the WACE after their senior secondary education. Students who complete the WACE will get an ATAR. This is what is recognised by all universities in Australia and other tertiary institutions around the world.
To get a good ATAR, you have to do well in your WACE. If you are currently struggling with the content being taught in school, a private tutor from KIS Academics can help you boost your grades:
How is the ATAR calculated from your WACE?
ATAR is short for Australian Tertiary Admission Rank and ranges from 0 to 99.95. It positions you relative to all other students in the state who sit the WACE exam in the year. It is based on your Tertiary Entrance Aggregate (TEA): the sum of your best four SCALED scores out of 400 (4x100 = 400).
For each subject score:
*Some subjects have scaled bonuses that are added to your marks even if they were not in your top four (usually Languages, Maths Specialist and Maths Methods).
- e.g. If you did French as a Second Language and/or Maths Methods and/or Maths Specialist, you would get 10% of the scaled mark of French + 10% of the scaled mark for Specialist + 10% of the scaled mark for Methods all added to your TEA even if they were not in your top Four!
- This will be out of a maximum of 430 (depending on the subjects you take)
A common misconception is that ATAR is the percentage of marks a student receives in Year 12. This is not true.
If you have an ATAR of 82.00, for instance, it means that you have achieved as well as, or better than 82% of the Year 12 school-leaver population in WA.
ATAR courses are examined by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA) through external examinations (not in-school). Your ATAR determines your eligibility for university entrance directly from the school. Students can do a minimum of four Year 12 ATAR courses (excluding unacceptable combinations), although at least 5 ATAR courses are recommended.
What are the WACE Requirements?
To qualify for WACE by Year 11, students need to achieve WACE Literacy and Numeracy Standard by:
- pre-qualifying by achieving Band 8 or higher in the Year 9 NAPLAN
OR
- Online Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (OLNA) (if they did not succeed in NAPLAN Year 9 or had not completed NAPLAN as they came from a different country)
How to Choose subjects for Years 11 and 12?
If students choose the ATAR pathway, they have to select their subjects for Years 10, 11 and 12. It is recommended that they choose their subjects in year 10 so they can best prepare for WACE-related topics in Year 11.
Requirements for subject choices for WACE:
- 2 Year 12 ATAR subjects must come from List A (arts, languages, humanities subjects)
- 2 Year 12 ATAR subjects must come from List B (mathematics, science, technology subjects)
Although requirements are for year 12 courses, schools require you to choose 2 list A subjects, and 2 list B subjects so that you don't change the subject in-between year 11 and year 12. Changing subjects between years 11 and 12 is highly unadvisable!
Apart from this, there are certain combinations of subjects you are not allowed to do. Such as:
- Maths Applications ATAR + Maths Specialist ATAR
- Maths Applications ATAR + Maths Methods ATAR + Maths Specialist ATAR
- only Maths Specialist ATAR
- English ATAR + Literature ATAR
Certain subjects must be taken together.
- For example, if you take Maths Specialist, it is imperative that you also take Maths Methods.
Some schools do not offer some subjects, so it is important to look at the list that the school gives to see if they can do the subject they wish.
What is Scaling?
ATAR scaling aims to make Year 12 academic scoring fair for students across all schools and all subjects. Scaling, unfortunately, is not up to the school or the student. It is up to SCSA, and is the responsibility of TISC.
Some factors that influence scaling include:
- the school you went to
- the subjects you do
- your specific cohort in that year
You may be scaled up in a subject, scaled down or even not at all! Typically subjects like Physics ATAR, Chemistry ATAR, Maths Specialist ATAR, English ATAR, Literature ATAR and Languages can be scaled up.
However, whether or not subjects get scaled up or down should not dictate your subject choices! Every year, scaling up or down a subject varies so you can never predict what happens.
If all this is too much for you, book a free 30-minute study skills consultation with a KIS Academics tutor today:
Conclusion
The WACE ATAR system can be quite complex, and understanding what's going on can be very daunting for new students and parents. If you ever need some assistance with your ATAR, KIS Academics tutors have a thorough knowledge of the subjects and can assist in understanding curriculum requirements.
For more study tips and resources, check out these KIS Academics articles:
Manoj Arachige
Manoj Arachige
Manoj Arachige
FAQs
What are the Best Subjects to do for WACE?
While it may be tempting to choose subjects that scale higher, that is not recommended. Instead, you should do the subjects you like, and are good at. Scaling changes every year, so do not make subject choices based on how they scaled last year.
Is an ATAR necessary for University?
Not necessarily, though it is the easiest way to apply for University. You can find alternative pathways here.
Can I change subjects in Year 11?
You can, but it is highly unadvisable because you might not get enough time to prepare for the subject before your final WACE exam. Talk to your teachers before making your final decision!
How do I choose the best University course for me?
Look at the course pre-requisites to ensure you meet the requirements, and choose courses that help in your future career. If you're not sure what you want to do in future, which is absolutely normal, pick something you're interested in. Find out more here.
If university is not right for you, you can also take up apprenticeships and start learning the skills needed to be carpenters or electricians!
Written by Nandana Binu.
Disclaimer: KIS Academics is not affiliated with the WA School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA). For a more detailed overview of the WACE, please refer to SCSA materials.
Want more personalised study guidance to help drastically improve your marks? A private tutor from KIS Academics can make the biggest difference!
