Careers Corner

What is an ATAR score and how is it calculated according to VCE scaling?

What is an ATAR score? The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is a ranking of Year 12 results that measures your overall academic achievement compared with all other final year students in Australia (excluding Queensland). 

The ATAR is not a score out of 100 – it is a rank. The ATAR allows tertiary institutions to compare the overall achievements of all students who have completed Year 12.

In Victoria, ATARs are calculated by the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) when you complete the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE). VTAC uses the VCE results issued by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) to calculate ATAR scores. You must have completed at least four VCE studies in a recognised combination to have your ATAR calculated.

When you complete VCE, VTAC notifies you of your ATAR. If you apply for tertiary courses, VTAC forwards the ranking and applications to tertiary institutions. In addition to other course requirements, the ATAR score can determine your eligibility for tertiary courses. Each tertiary institution sets the ATARs required for its courses, as well as other course entry requirements.

How is the ATAR calculated using VCE scaling?

The ATAR is calculated by VTAC based on up to six VCE scaled study scores. Study scores are scaled up or down by VTAC according to the performance of students in a study in a particular year – which means scores change each year, making ATARs difficult to predict.

The ATAR is calculated from an aggregate, produced by adding together:

1. your highest scaled study score in one of the English studies (English, English Language, English as an Additional Language (EAL), Literature),
2. highest scaled study scores for three additional permissible studies, and
3. 10% of the scaled study scores for the fifth and sixth permissible studies.

Students are then ranked in order of their aggregate, and a percentage rank is assigned to distribute students as evenly as possible over a 100-point scale.

Finally, the percentage rank is converted to an ATAR score. The ATAR is an estimate of the percentage of the population that you outperformed.  So, if you receive an ATAR of 60, it means you performed better than 60% of students that year.

The ATAR is a number from 0 and 99.95 in intervals of 0.05. 

The highest rank is 99.95, the next highest 99.90, and so on. 

The lowest automatically reported rank is 30.00, with ranks below 30.00 being reported as ‘less than 30’.

ATAR is primarily used by Australian universities to select applicants for courses, with higher numbers indicating better relative performance.

For further information, visit the VTAC website: https://vtac.edu.au/atar.html

What is an Unscored VCE Pathway?

An unscored VCE pathway in Victoria allows students to complete VCE units without being assessed for a study score, meaning they won't receive an ATAR. 

This option is available for students who don't require an ATAR for their post-school plans, such as pursuing apprenticeships, vocational training, or specific university courses that don't require an ATAR. Students still complete the required coursework and achieve a "Satisfactory" (S) completion for each unit. 

Key aspects of an unscored VCE are:

• No ATAR:

Students don't receive an ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank). 

• Focus on learning:

Emphasis is placed on learning and completing the VCE curriculum without the pressure of graded assessments. 

• Flexibility:

Allows students to pursue their interests and goals without the constraints of needing an ATAR. 

• Post-school options:

Suitable for students pursuing apprenticeships, vocational training, or specific university courses that don't require an ATAR. 

• Satisfactory completion:

Students still need to achieve a "Satisfactory" (S) result for each unit they undertake. 

• Individualised approach:

The unscored option is for individual student needs, not as a blanket approach for all students. 

Reasons for choosing an unscored VCE:

• No need for ATAR:

Students with clear post-school plans that don't require an ATAR can benefit from this pathway. 

• Mental health and wellbeing:

It can be a suitable option for students experiencing anxiety or other challenges related to graded assessments. 

• Specific interests:

Students can pursue their passions and interests without the pressure of graded assessments. 

• Flexibility and reduced pressure:

The unscored option provides flexibility and reduces the pressure associated with achieving high scores in graded assessments. 

University pathways:

• Pathways into university:

Many universities offer pathways into degree programs for students who don't have an ATAR. 

• Alternative entry options:

These pathways may involve completing a diploma or certificate course at a TAFE or university, which can then lead to a bachelor's degree. 

• RMIT example:

RMIT University offers various pathways for students with an unscored VCE, including flexible pathways that allow students to move through different levels of study. 

• Other universities:

Universities like Swinburne University of Technology also offer pathways for students without an ATAR. 

Please do not hesitate to contact the Careers and Pathways Coordinator for assistance. 

Chris Kotsonis 

Careers and Pathways Coordinator

Email: Chris.Kotsonis@education.vic.gov.au