How Is ATAR Calculated? A Complete Tutorial In 2024

ATAR is an acronym for "Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank," a percentile ranking demonstrating a student's achievement compared to other students in a particular group and state (such as VCE or HSC). It is a crucial milestone in students' higher education and employment path. In 2024, comprehending ATAR calculation will be more critical than ever. 

This article will deliver various components and methodologies involved in answering the question "How is ATAR calculated?". In addition, it will shed light on the process and provide students with a clear understanding of what influences their final score.

How Is ATAR Calculated?

First of all, we need to ensure that you understand the ATAR meaning well before learning how to calculate ATAR score.

Nowadays, almost all universities in Australia have adopted ATAR to determine which applicants to admit for a particular post-secondary course. When a student completes all of their Year 12 subjects, their respective marks will go through a review, moderation, and scaling process to determine where that student performed accurately relative to their peers. 

Each State/Territory has its method for finalizing a student's results for calculating the ATAR, but generally, the approach is the same.

1. Victoria

The Victorian Tertiary Admissions Center (VTAC) will use exam results from all the following subjects to determine the ATAR:

• Highest score in one of the subjects: English, English Language, Literature, or English as an Additional Language.

• Best test scores for the following three subjects (these results will form the 'primary four' results).

• 10% marks of the next two best subjects (plus).

2. New South Wales

In NSW, these are the only two courses students can use in the ATAR calculation: Category A (Economics, Geography, Visual Arts) or Category B (Financial Services, Hospitality, English Studies, and Mathematics Standard 1).

ATAR scores will be aggregated from the exam results of the subjects as follows:

• Highest score in 2 English subjects.

• The highest score of the remaining eight subjects (including up to 2 subjects in Category B).

3. Australian Capital Territory

The Australian Capital Territory ATAR and the NSW (UAC) system are similar. Based on the student's ACT Senior Secondary Certificate performance, they calculate the total score by adding the student's top three prominent course marks plus 60% of the next best course.

4. Queensland

The Queensland Tertiary Admissions Center (QTAC) uses the Queensland Core Skills Test results to calculate ATAR. The marks for ATAR can be any of the following points:

• 5 General subjects in Units 3 & 4

• 4 General subjects and 1 applied subject 'applied' in Units 3 & 4

• 4 General subjects' in Units 3 & 4, and 1 Vocational Education and Training (VET) degree (Certificate III and above).

5. Tasmania

The Office of Tasmanian Assessment, Standards, and Certification (TASC) will calculate the ATAR based on Tertiary Entrance (TE) scores.

• TASC accredited Level 3.

• TASC certified Level 4.

• Selected courses from the University of Tasmania's High Achiever Program (HAP) and University Connections Program (UCP).

TASC will automatically select at least the four highest-scoring subjects and calculate the best TE for students. Three of these subjects must be in year 12.

6. Western Australia

The Tertiary Institutions Service Center (TISC) calculates the ATAR scores of students based on the Tertiary Entrance Aggregate (TEA). TEA is the combination of the best results from 4 subjects according to the following rules:

• The four most scaled subject points in Grade 12 (4 x 100 = 400).

• Each subject's score includes 50% of the academic results and 50% of the WACE Test.

• From 2017, if students have Mathematics Methods or Mathematics Specialist scores, they will add 10% of this subject to the TEA. 

7. South Australia

The South Australian Tertiary Admissions Center (SATAC) calculates the university's total score by combining prorated scores from the best 90 academic credits. Therefore, students must complete at least 90 credits of Tertiary Admissions Subjects (TAS) and Recognized Studies at Stage 2 (out of 90 study credits, at least 60 credits must be from 20 TAS credits).

What Is A Good ATAR Score?

ATAR score, or more precisely a rank, fluctuates in 0.05-point increments. A student with an ATAR of 80.00 is in the top 20% of their cohort; one with a score of 99.00 is in the top 1%. The higher the ATAR points are, the better chance for the students to apply for their ideal program. 

However, the standard ATAR score will differ from student to student. What an individual student considers a good ATAR depends on the following:

• Academic performance, goals, and anticipated Year 12 placement compared to their peers.

• What postsecondary degree a student plans to enroll in after year 12, and what is the minimum ATAR needed to enroll in that university? For example, the admittance criteria for nursing at universities range from ATAR of 60 to 90. 

See more: What ATAR Do You Need To Be A Nurse?

What Is An Average ATAR Score? 

The typical ATAR is around 70.00. You may wonder why it is not 50.00 like usual. The explanation is that a cohort includes students who may drop out of school early and not receive an ATAR, which raises the average.

If you want to pursue a law study program, you will need an average ATAR score of 75, slightly higher than the normal average. 

What Is A Bad ATAR Score?

Like good ATAR points, a bad ATAR score depends on many factors. A poor ATAR for one individual could be a satisfactory ATAR for another who relies on a degree program.

In general, an ATAR under 30 is subpar. Scores lower than 30 are usually reported as "<30," suggesting an unfavorable outcome. 

3 Best ATAR Calculator In 2024

The majority of ATAR calculators work similarly. They give students a clear picture of what to anticipate, and, more crucially, they point out areas where students might do better with a tutor. 

So, how to calculate the ATAR score most quickly? For your convenience, we've examined several ATAR calculators and recommend the top 3 best ones for Australian senior secondary school students in 2024 as follows:

HSC ATAR Calculators 

HSC means Higher School Certificate, recognized internationally and the highest degree awarded in schools in New South Wales. 

HSC ATAR Calculator uses HSC marks to calculate ATAR for students. There are 2 main popular calculator types with their own advantage as following:

• ATAR Notes HSC Calculator 

• HSC Ninja ATAR Calculator 

VCE ATAR Calculators 

VCE stands for Victoria Certificate Of Education, a leading senior secondary certificate in Victoria. It acknowledges secondary school graduates who have completed their studies successfully and offers a helpful route to higher education and employment.

There are 2 popular VCE ATAR calculators that you can try as followings:

• ATAR Notes VCE Calculator 

• Deakin University VCE calculator 

ACT ATAR Calculators 

The ACT, often known as the American College Testing, is a college readiness test for students. Students' ACT scores determine whether they are eligible for prestigious universities. Additionally, ACT offers a standard measurement tool for comparing all applicants. 

ACT ATAR calculators use ACT marks to determine the Altra score. You can learn the following guide to find out your Altra score:

• Carrabunda College ACT Calculator Guide 

• ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies ATAR Calculator Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ATAR Based On Years 11 And 12?

Yes, both Year 11 and Year 12. Year 11 study scores may contribute to a student's overall academic record, while Year 12 study scores significantly impact the final ATAR calculation. Therefore, the performance in both Year 11 and Year 12 plays a role in determining the ATAR.

What Is 70% As An ATAR?

Your ATAR tells you how you have been ranked in relation to other year 12 students. It is not a score or a mark. Therefore, an ATAR of 70 indicates that your performance was higher than 70% of all students in your year group.

What Grade Is An 80 ATAR?

The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR), which ranges from 0.00 to 99.95, represents a student's standing among all other students in their age group (all NSW residents between the ages of 16 and 20). ATAR of 80.00 indicates that you are 20% from the top of your age group (not your Year 12 group).

What ATAR Do You Need For Psychology In Australia?

It can be challenging to determine a specific score for admission because so many institutions provide undergraduate psychology courses and each university has its own selection standards. However, if you want to study psychology in Australia, you should aim for an ATAR between 68 and 93.

In short, finding out "how is ATAR calculated?" remains critical to a student's academic journey in tertiary education. By understanding the variation of ATAR calculation, students are better equipped to make informed decisions about subject selection, study strategies, and their future educational pathways. A solid grasp of ATAR calculation will undoubtedly be an invaluable student asset.