1. THE ATAR AND
SUBJECT
SELECTION
2018

2. WHAT IS UAC? UAC processes applications for:
University Entry
College Entry
Schools Recommendation Scheme (SRS)
Educational Access Schemes (EAS)
Equity Scholarships (ES)
Calculates the ATAR for NSW HSC students.

3. The ATAR

4. HSC vs ATAR Performance vs Position.
HSC marks are about a student’s performance against the standards.
ATAR is about a student’s position against all other students in NSW.
Good performance does not guarantee a high position.
The only thing a student can control is their performance.

5. WHAT IS THE ATAR? The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is…
A numerical measure of a student’s overall academic achievement in the HSC in relation to that of other students.
A number between 0.00 and (only ATARs above are reported).
Intended for use by universities to rank and select school leavers for admission to university.

6. ATAR FACTS
Your ATAR:
Allows you to be compared with other students who have completed different combinations of HSC courses.
Shows your position, or where you are ranked, among all other HSC students.
is a rank, not a mark
It’s all about POSITION
Is provided by UAC.
Like your position
in a race

7. ATAR ELIGIBILITY
To get an ATAR you need at least 10 units of Board Developed courses – these are HSC courses that are examined by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA).
Your teachers will tell you which courses will count.
Your ATAR is based on your best two units of English and the best eight units from your remaining courses.
English
Math
Science
History

8. THE ATAR AND SCALING
Different HSC courses have very different groups of students studying them.
To create an even playing field, raw HSC marks need to be adjusted before they can be used to calculate an ATAR.
This adjustment is called scaling.
UAC doesn’t scale courses we scale students’ academic abilities.
That’s why some courses have higher scaled means than others.
Scaling calculates what your mark and your position would be if all courses were studied by all students.
In other words scaling is placing everyone in order in all courses.

9. ATAR – WHY SCALING? The first step in calculating the ATAR is scaling.
Why do we scale?
So that no student is neither advantaged or disadvantaged because of their subject choice.
To compare fairly all the different courses and combinations of courses.
Remember, a student’s position in a course depends on:
How well the student does in that course, and
The strength of the competition in that course.

10. SCALING
The scaled mean of a course tells us about the strength of the competition.
Courses with a high scaled mean tells us that the ability of the students in the course is very high.
Courses with a lower scaled mean tells us that the ability of the students in the course varies from very high to low.
The mean of the course does not tell you that you can’t get a high ATAR with that course.
It doesn’t matter what courses you study, you just have to do well!
Remember the ATAR is about POSITION!

11. MEET FRED & LAURA Fred Laura Course HSC mark Percentile Biology 70 3480 64
Business Studies 37 66
English Advanced 10 41
Mathematics 26 49
Modern History 31
Visual Arts 12 50
ATAR
56.05
76.50
Differences from 2016

12. FACTS ABOUT THE ATAR
You can get a good ATAR with any course you take even VET courses.
The ATAR is only a RANK used for university entry.
You have to do well in a course to get any benefit from scaling.
You must get marks on or above the average to get an average ATAR or above.
Average marks for the majority of courses are above 75.
Courses don’t scale you up or down.
Your achievement in the course scales you up or down
Scaling is placing you in order in all courses based on your academies ability.
The ATAR is a rank that shows your overall academic ability amongst all other students in the state.

13. Subject selection is about choosing courses that
you are good at, are interested in and that may
help you succeed in tertiary studies.

14. Q: How do I get a high ATAR?
A: Forget about it!
Work hard and get the best marks you can in the subjects you have chosen.

15. INSPIRATION
Questions to help you make decisions about your future and tertiary study: These questions may help direct you to explore different courses that will help you reach your potential.
What interests you the most?
What do you like to do inside or outside of school?
Does something you see, do or have contact with inspire you to do better?
Are you good with people and helping others?
Are you creative?
Or are you great with technology?

16. CHOOSING HSC COURSES Its important to consider:
Your interests and your future career.
Courses that you have an aptitude for.
Courses that will give you a good understanding and foundation to succeed in tertiary studies.
Don’t choose courses because of a perceived ATAR or scaling as this could set you up for failure.
INTEREST + ACHIEVEMENT = SUCCESS

17. WHAT NEXT Research your study options:
University, TAFE, college, work
Explore the different study areas and courses.
Consider all institutions that offer the tertiary course of interested.
Keep your options open.
Choose HSC courses that will set you up for success.

18. TERTIARY STUDY AND SUBJECT SELECTION
Always check for course:
Prerequisites
HSC courses you have to have studied before a uni will offer you a place in the course.
Assumed knowledge
HSC courses the uni assumes you have studied before you start the uni course.
Not a requirement for entry, but without the assumed knowledge you may have difficulties coping with your studies.
Recommended studies
HSC courses the uni suggests will prepare you for core first-year uni courses.
Not a requirement for entry.

19. WHAT IS YOUR PLAN B? If you are set on university then you will need:
an ATAR.
check for course prerequisites and assumed knowledge.
be interested in and prepared to study hard in the courses you’ve chosen.
research the uni courses of interest and the institutions offering the course.
research other courses and pathways into uni - your backup plan.

20. QUESTION
What if I haven’t chosen the right subjects for the course I decide to apply for?
You can still get an offer to most institutions.
Institutions list any course prerequisites in the Year 10 booklet.
You may need to catch up on background knowledge through:
bridging courses
extra subjects within the course structure.
Remember, you must be ATAR eligible regardless of the HSC courses you choose.

21. QUESTION
What if I don’t get a high enough ATAR for entry into university?
There are many pathways to where you want to be:
YOUR PLAN B
preparation courses at uni
TAFE (TPC, Cert IV or Diploma)
uni colleges
private colleges.

22. Remember The ATAR is a rank not a mark.
Choose courses you like and are good at.
Explore all your options.
Study hard.

23. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION