n the region. One of UAC’s key roles is to calculate and release the Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR), which universities use to assess a student’s likelihood of success in their first year of study.

Here are seven important things you should understand about the ATAR:

1. What does the ATAR represent?

The ATAR is a number between 0 and 99.95 that tells students their position based on their performance, relative to their peers in the same year group (all 16-20 year olds that sat the HSC).

Let’s start by telling you what an ATAR isn’t – it is not a score! The ATAR is a percentile ranking. This means that an ATAR of 70.00 for example, does not mean that a student scored a mark of 70%; rather, it means they are 30% from the top of their year group in terms of overall performance. It shows where a student stands relative to others in their cohort (regardless of subjects completed).

2. What is the average ATAR?

Given the ATAR is a ranking, you would expect that the average rank would be 50.00, but his is not the case. That is because not every school student in the state goes on to achieve an ATAR. Those that do, are a smaller group and generally speaking, they are more academically capable, so the average is a higher ranking. In fact, the average ATAR is usually 70.00.

3. What is the purpose of the ATAR?

The ATAR gives an overall ranking of a student’s academic performance in comparison to others. It’s not about achieving a specific score or ‘winning’ – it enables universities to compare students fairly, even if they have studied different courses. In addition, universities often also use other criteria to select students, for example questionnaires, interviews or their own tests.

4. What is the difference between HSC results and the ATAR?

The HSC mark for each course shows how a student performed in their exam and assessments. There is no limit on the number of students who can achieve top marks.

The ATAR on the other hand, tells a student’s position, or ranking, compared to other students in NSW and considers a student’s achievement in all HSC courses.

UAC provides an excellent example of how to think of the HSC mark versus an ATAR Rank: “You can think of it like a running race: your HSC is your time (and is not compared to anyone else’s time), and your ATAR is your place (first, second, third, and so on).”

5. How is the ATAR calculated?

To be eligible for an ATAR, students must complete at least 10 units of NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA)-approved courses. This includes the compulsory two English units and the best eight units from other HSC courses. These marks are combined into an aggregate score, which is then used to determine the ATAR.

6. What is scaling, and why is it important?

Scaling is the process of adjusting raw exam marks to ensure fair comparison between different courses. Courses vary in difficulty, and scaling helps to equalise these differences. The adjustment is based on the overall performance of students in a particular course — the lower the cohort’s performance, the higher a student needs to score to benefit from scaling. After scaling, the best 10 units are used to calculate the student’s final mark out of 500, which is then converted into an ATAR.

7. How is the ATAR used?

Universities set a minimum ATAR score required to receive an offer for each course. This minimum entry score helps universities manage the volume of applicants and is used to ensure students meet the academic standards needed for specific programs. However, the ATAR reflects supply and demand in the admissions process more than the actual intellectual difficulty of the course.

8. Common myths about the ATAR

There are several misconceptions about how the ATAR works. Let’s debunk some of the most common ones:

Myth 1: Courses are scaled based on how ‘difficult’ they are – this is not true. Scaling adjustments are made based on overall cohort performance, not the perceived difficulty of a course.

Myth 2: VET courses don’t help your ATAR – this is incorrect. Students can include up to two units from VET courses in their ATAR calculations, and they have the same opportunity to achieve a competitive ATAR as students taking other subjects.

Myth 3: Courses with more Band 6 students perform better – false. The ATAR is based on individual marks, not the number of students who achieve top bands in a course.

Myth 4: Studying more than 10 units automatically improves your ATAR – not necessarily. While taking extra units may allow a student to drop lower results, it can also spread their time and focus thinner, potentially lowering their performance in other subjects.

Myth 5: You can ‘game’ the ATAR system – not true! The ATAR system is based on hard work and academic performance. There’s no shortcut, and students should focus on their studies instead of trying to manipulate the system.

9. Tips for achieving a good ATAR

Be strategic with subject choices: Take subjects that you enjoy and excel at. These will keep you motivated and help improve your performance.

Prioritise subjects relevant to your future: Consider courses that align with your future career or study goals.

Stay disciplined and focused: Consistent study and good time management are key. The more you put into your studies, the better your results will be, particularly if you stay focused at exam time.

By understanding these aspects of the ATAR process, you can approach your studies with greater clarity and confidence. Remember, your ATAR is just one part of your journey — focus on doing your best, and the results will follow in your transition out of high school.

At All Saints Grammar we take pride in our pastoral care and wellbeing programs designed to ensure students can thrive and effectively balance the demands of school from PreK to Year 12. To learn more about All Saints Grammar, and how our excellent co-education might benefit your child, download our prospectus.