When students think about ATAR, they often focus on Maths or Sciences.
But year after year, the subject that has the biggest influence on ATAR outcomes isn’t Maths or Science.
It’s English.
In fact, English is the only compulsory ATAR subject across every Australian state — and for good reason. Whether a student is aiming for medicine, engineering, law, or business, English plays a critical role in both ATAR calculation and overall academic success.
Table of Contents
- English Is the Only Subject Everyone Must Do
- English Scales Reliably — Not Dramatically
- English Affects Every Other Subject
- English Is Where Students Lose the Most Marks
- English Rewards Skill, Not Talent
- Why English Is Often Neglected Until It’s Too Late
- How KIS Academics Helps Students Succeed in English
English Is the Only Subject Everyone Must Do
No matter which pathway a student chooses:
- VCE
- HSC
- QCE
- WACE
English (or an English equivalent) is mandatory.
That means:
- You cannot get an ATAR without English
- You cannot drop it if it’s dragging your results down
- Every student is directly competing in English
That means:
- You cannot get an ATAR without English
- You cannot drop it if it’s dragging your results down
- Every student is directly competing in English
Unlike elective subjects, English is the greatest equaliser — and often the greatest differentiator.
English Scales Reliably — Not Dramatically
Many students gamble on subjects that “scale well”.
English doesn’t usually scale spectacularly — but it scales consistently.
That consistency matters because:
- A strong English score reliably lifts ATAR
- A weak English score reliably drags ATAR down
- You can’t “offset” a poor English result with other subjects
For many students, English becomes the limiting factor on their final rank.
English Affects Every Other Subject
English isn’t just about essays — it underpins performance across the entire senior curriculum.
Strong English skills improve:
- Interpretation of exam questions
- Extended responses in Humanities and Sciences
- Logical structure in Maths explanations
- Clarity in SACs, trials, and exams
- Time management under exam conditions
English Is Where Students Lose the Most Marks
At KIS Academics, we consistently see that:
- Students know what they want to say
- But can’t express it clearly
- Or misinterpret the question
- Or fail to structure a strong response
English exams reward:
- Precision
- Argument
- Structure
- Insight
Not memorisation alone.
This is why English becomes the subject with the widest spread of marks — and the biggest opportunity for improvement.
English Rewards Skill, Not Talent
One of the biggest myths is that you’re either “good at English” or you’re not.
In reality:
- Essay writing is a learnable skill
- Text analysis is trainable
- Argument structure is teachable
- Exam technique can be systematised
Students who improve English often see some of the fastest ATAR gains across all subjects.
Why English Is Often Neglected Until It’s Too Late
Many students:
- Focus on content-heavy subjects
- Assume English will “look after itself”
- Avoid practising essays because it feels uncomfortable
- Don’t get enough feedback on writing
By the time exam pressure hits, gaps in English are harder to fix quickly.
Early, consistent work makes an enormous difference.
How KIS Academics Helps Students Succeed in English
At KIS Academics, we help students:
- Learn how to break down questions properly
- Build clear, structured essays
- Develop insightful analysis (not summaries)
- Improve clarity, expression, and argument
- Practise under timed conditions with expert feedback
📘 Want to improve English results and ATAR outcomes?
KIS Academics offers expert English tutoring, exam preparation, and personalised feedback to help students lift marks and build confidence.
Manoj Arachige
Manoj Arachige
Jessica Hinh
Want more personalised study guidance to help drastically improve your marks? A private tutor from KIS Academics can make the biggest difference!
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