ATAR

The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is a ranking used by tertiary institutions to select students for university courses. It is not a score out of 100, but a rank that compares a student's overall achievement with all other eligible students in Victoria.

The ATAR is calculated by the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) using a student's scaled study scores. It is based on:

one English study (English, English (EAL) or Literature)
the next three highest permissible scaled study scores (the Primary Four)
10% of the fifth and sixth permissible study scores.

ATARs range from 99.95 (highest) to below 30 in increments of 0.05.

Subject Restrictions

VTAC applies rules to certain study combinations when calculating the ATAR. These restrictions mainly affect English and Mathematics studies and some related study groups. Students should refer to the VTAC website or speak with the school's Careers or Pathways team for advice about subject selection and ATAR calculations.

VCAA Examinations

Students completing a Unit 3–4 VCE study will receive an individual examination timetable from VCAA. It is the student's responsibility to:

check their examination timetable carefully
arrive at the examination venue on time
bring the required approved equipment.

Students who arrive late may be admitted to an examination only in accordance with VCAA examination rules.

General Achievement Test (GAT)

All students completing one or more Unit 3–4 VCE studies are required to sit the General Achievement Test (GAT).

The GAT plays an important role in the VCE assessment process. It is used by VCAA to support quality assurance, check the accuracy of assessment processes, and assist in determining results where a student is affected by illness or other unforeseen circumstances.

Study Scores

The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) calculates a study score for each completed Unit 3–4 VCE study.

Study scores range from 0 to 50 and reflect a student's performance relative to all other students studying the same subject across Victoria. A score of 30 represents the average level of achievement.

Study scores are used by VTAC to calculate a student's ATAR.

Derived Examination Score (DES)

If a student experiences significant illness, injury, personal trauma or other exceptional circumstances immediately before or during the end-of-year examinations, they may be eligible to apply for a Derived Examination Score (DES).

Applications must:

be supported by appropriate documentation
be submitted through the school
be lodged with VCAA within the required timeframe.

Applications are assessed by VCAA, not the school. If approved, VCAA will determine an appropriate examination score based on the student's demonstrated level of achievement in the study.

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