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Careers: ATAR Calculations

ATAR

ATAR Calculation

It is recommended that you access the resources on the VTAC website for comprehensive information about Scaling and the ATAR.
How is my ATAR calculated?
All students completing scored assessments (exams etc.) in their Unit 3/4 Studies will receive a mark out of 50. This is provided by VCAA.
When a student has a MINIMUM of 4 scored subjects (including English/English Language/Literature/ESL), then VTAC will scale these (see examples below) and a TERTIARY ENTRANCE RANK or ATAR is calculated. This is not a score (despite what people call it) but a ranking of a student amongst his/her cohort. This rank will fit into the range of 0.5 (lowest) to 99.95 (highest).
A maximum of 6 scored Unit 3/4 subjects will contribute to the ATAR– regardless of which year the study was completed.
Example program only:
 Unit 3/4 study  Subject score (out of 50)  Scaled score
  Chemistry     30  35
  Biology  30  30
  Math Further  30  27
  English  30  28
  VET Sport & Recreation    30      26
  Business Management   (completed 2012)  30  26
The ATAR is calculated using English (or Literature, ESL, or English Language), and the 3 next best (after scaling). These are known as the Primary Four. Up to 2 increments (2 extra subjects) can be used - 10% of each scaled score.
Therefore, for the scenario above, the ATAR would be calculated as follows;
Primary Four
  • English 28
  • Chem 35
  • Biol 30
  • F. Math 27
Plus
  • VET S&R 2.6 (increment)
  • Bus. Man 2.6 (increment)
Aggregate = 125.2 (which will give an ATAR of around 67.55) (For full details of Subject scaling and conversion tables of aggregates to ATARs see VTAC’s ABC of Scaling document).
However, If you averaged 35 (pre‐scaled)…with the same subjects:
  • Eng 34
  • Chem 40
  • Biol 36
  • F.Maths 33
  • VET S&R 3.1
  • Bus. Man 3.1
  • Aggregate = 149.2 with an ATAR of around 83.80!
And if you were to average 40 (pre-scaling ‐ per listed study)?
  • Eng 40
  • Chem 44
  • Biol 41
  • F.Maths 38
  • VET S&R 3.7
  • Bus. Man 3.7
  • Aggregate 170.4…. ATAR would be about 94!
*It is not what subjects you are studying, but how you perform in them that will determine your ATAR*
Myth Busting
• “My subjects “get scaled down”… I can’t get a high ATAR”…WRONG! A 50 in, say, Chemistry, is the same as a 50 in Business Management.
• “Only students doing LOTEs and “hard” maths and sciences can get ATARs in the 90’s”. NOT TRUE. (see dot point 1 above). However, it is a fact that certain subjects (including LOTEs, “hard” Maths and Sciences) are “scaled up” and scaling movements (up or down) are generally greatest around the Mean (30).
 You should choose your subjects based on the following:
• Does the course I’m interested in have prerequisites?
• Am I good at the subject and do I enjoy it?
The scaling of a subject should not be the sole reason for choosing it.
Thank you to Bendigo Senior Secondary College Careers Team for the original collation of this information.
ATAR Calculators
You may notice various "ATAR Calculators" on the internet. Click here to access the one that many students have used recently. Please be aware that the calculation of your ATAR, and scaling in particular, is a lengthy and complicated process. Therefore, the results of these calculators is to be used a general guide only. They can not predict your ATAR accurately.
Acknowledgement of St Kevins Careers Department for sharing this content. 2014

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