ATAR

Australian Tertiary Admission Rank

The ATAR is used for selection purposes for entry into tertiary courses. It takes into account your score in Units 3 and 4 English or equivalent, as well as your best three other scores, plus 10% of your remaining one or two scores. English and the best three other scores are known as the 'primary four' studies. (Note: Units 3 and 4 of English, Unit 3 and 4 English Language and Units 3 and 4 Literature could be in the primary four). 

The minimum requirements for university entrance are the satisfactory completion of the VCE and Units 3 and 4 of English. For most TAFE courses (Diploma level), the entrance requirement is the satisfactory completion of the VCE. Some, but not all courses, have specific prerequisites. 

No more than two sequences of Units 3 and 4 Mathematics and no more than two LOTE subjects can be counted in your primary four studies. If you repeat a Unit 3 and 4 study, there is no longer a penalty of 10% deducted from your study score. 

Scaling (a brief explanation) 

The scores for all Units 3 & 4 studies (Year 12 subjects) are standardised so that their average is 30 out of 50, but because some subjects are harder and some easier, study scores are then 'scaled' by VTAC — the body processing applications to go to university - so that the ATAR score reflects the performance of the student. Students should not, however, expect that their overall ATAR would be affected by their choice of subjects. 

Example: