The Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) is a measure of a student's academic performance in the final years of secondary school. It is used as the primary basis for determining university admission in Australia and is calculated based on a student's results in their final exams.
ATAR Calculation
The calculation of ATAR is based on a student's results in the 10 units of study they complete in their final two years of high school.
The units are assigned a score between 0 and 100, with the average score being 50.
The scores are then combined to create a percentile rank, with the highest-performing students receiving an ATAR of 99.95 and the lowest-performing students receiving an ATAR of 30.
ATAR Results
ATAR results have shown a gradual decline in recent years, with the average ATAR score dropping from around 77 in 2017 to around 75 in 2020. This decline is partly due to the increasing number of students taking the final exams and the increasing competition for university places.
The decline in ATAR scores also affects university admission, with some students who would have previously been guaranteed a place at a particular university now facing competition from other applicants.
However, universities also take other factors into account when making admission decisions, such as the student's performance in individual subjects, extracurricular activities, and personal circumstances.
ATAR and Tertiary Admissions Centre (TAC)
ATAR was introduced in 2009 as a replacement for the Universities Admissions Index (UAI) system, which was in use from 1992-2008.
It was designed to provide a fairer and more transparent method of determining university admission, as the UAI system was criticized for being too subjective and relying too heavily on school recommendations.
The ATAR system is managed by the Tertiary Admissions Centre (TAC), which is responsible for calculating and distributing ATAR scores to students and universities.
The TAC also provides support to students and their families in understanding the ATAR and university admission process.
ATAR and university admission
In addition to the ATAR, universities may also consider other factors such as:
- a student's performance in individual subjects,
- extracurricular activities,
- work experience, and
- personal circumstances.
It is worth noting that not all universities in Australia use the ATAR system. Some universities, such as the Australian National University (ANU) and the University of Melbourne, have their own admission criteria and may not require an ATAR score for admission.
Conclusion
The ATAR is a critical factor in determining university admission in Australia and has been shown to have a declining trend in recent years. However, it is important to remember that the ATAR is not the only factor considered by universities when making admission decisions.
Students should focus on doing their best in their final exams and also consider other factors, such as extracurricular activities, that may help improve their chances of being admitted to the university of their choice.
