Information for Year 10 Students and Parents

The HSC and ATAR A 15 minute snapshot

By Mark Grady 15/06/15

Reality Understanding the HSC and ATAR completely is not something you

can do in 15 minutes

However

At the end of this session, you should have enough information to assist you in your course choices, or at least have the grounding to find out more.

Why would I want an ATAR?

ATAR – Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank

a numerical measure of a student’s overall academic achievement in the HSC in relation to that of other students. It’s about POSITION.

a number between 0.00 and 99.95 (only ATARs above 30 are reported)

intended for use by universities to rank and select school leavers for admission to university

ATAR’s reflect the demand of a course, not the difficulty

HSC and ATAR

At least 6 units of Board Developed Courses

Including at least 2 units of English

At least 3 courses of 2U value or greater

At most 6 units of courses in Science can count

At least 4 subjects (including English)

At least 10 units of Board Developed Courses

Including at least 2 units of English ( x English Studies)

At least 4 Board Developed courses

Satisfactory completion of at least 8 Units of Category A courses

No more than 2 units of category B courses

So Basically An ATAR has all the requirements of the HSC, plus others

Category A and B – What are these?

Category A courses have academic rigour and depth of knowledge to provide background for tertiary studies. Examples include Mathematics and Geography.

Category B courses are courses that don’t provide an adequate background for tertiary studies, but they can contribute to the ATAR when combined with Category A courses. No more than two units of Category B courses can be included with the ATAR calculation. For a Category B course to be included in the ATAR calculation, you must be enrolled in the course with the Board of Studies and sit an exam

So if you do not intend to go to University, don’t be bound by the restrictions an ATAR places on

your course choices

In 2013, I made around 40 changes in 4 weeks to student’s course selections that were inappropriate. 2015 was similar!

Outcome

Up to 4 weeks of their time wasted Up to 4 weeks of work to catch up on

Advice Do courses that you are interested in and do well Reality Check - If you have not shown a commitment to a course or

to study by now, it is highly unlikely it will change next year

HOW is the ATAR calculated?

How long have you got? Go to www.uac.edu.au/undergraduate/atar/ if you are interested

STAGE 5

Truncate to

nearest .05

STAGE 1

controlling for competition

STAGE 4

Year 7 percentiles

STAGE 2

determining the aggregate

STAGE 3

Year 12 percentiles

Myth or Fact?

I can study certain subjects (such as Extension Maths and Physics) to maximise my ATAR.

MYTH

FACTThe only way you can maximise your ATAR is by achieving the highest possible assessment ranks and exam marks in all the courses you study. You can achieve high HSC marks and a high ATAR regardless of the courses you study or the school you attend.

Myth or Fact?

If I am studying 11 units, the single-unit course won’t be counted in my ATAR calculation.

MYTH

FACTAll your courses are converted to single units, and the best 8 units (after your best 2 units of English) are used to calculate your ATAR.

Summary Am I going to University?

Yes – Need an ATAR No – Do not let the ATAR bound your

course choices

How do I get a good ATAR? Select courses you enjoy and are good at

is the best starting point (along with sustained effort)

How is the ATAR calculated? Don’t worry about it. It is calculated and it

works

So what courses are Category A or B?