What is the ATAR and how does it work?
Still unsure about what the ATAR actually is? We are busting the common myths and misconceptions around the ATAR.
What is the ATAR?
The ATAR stands for the Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank and is a percentile ranking that reflects a student’s Year 12 achievement, compared to their age group in a given year.
How is it calculated?
VTAC uses the VCE results issued by the VCAA (Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority) to calculate the ATAR. The ATAR is a percentile rank, so it shows the relative performance of each student compared to everyone else in their age group. For more information, check out the ATAR and Scaling Guide for your year.
Why do I need an ATAR?
The ATAR is used by tertiary institutions to competitively rank applicants who have completed different combinators of VCE (or equivalent interstate/IB) studies. It can support you in getting into tertiary study after high school, however there are many options and pathways to support your journey.
Can I pass or fail the ATAR?
There is no pass or fail when it comes to the ATAR. Everyone who receives an ATAR has passed the VCE. It is purely a ranking used by institutions for some of their courses.
How many subjects do I actually need to complete to receive an ATAR?
A student needs to achieve study scores in at least four permissible Unit 3 and 4 VCE studies, including one from the English group. Any eligible fifth or sixth permissible study scores will only count 10% towards your ATAR.
How do I get my ATAR?
Your VCE study scores and ATAR will be available to you via the Results and ATAR website and the Results and ATAR app on the ATAR release date for your year. You will also receive an official Digital ATAR statement and will not need to supply VTAC will any results if you are an Australian Year 12 student or New Zealand student.
What happens if I go unscored?
Unscored VCE students refer to students who complete their chosen VCE subjects but choose to not sit their final exams. These students will not receive an ATAR and still require a passing grade in their coursework to be awarded their VCE. No matter your ATAR score, there are still many pathway options available to study your dream course.
What is a ‘good’ ATAR score?
There is no ‘good’ ATAR score, and it all depends on what course you wish to study. We recommend jumping onto CourseSearch to understand course requirements and review the previous years’ ATAR. This will give you a good understanding of what you need to achieve to study your preferred course, or understand the pathway options available.
