PART 1: HOW TO MAXIMISE YOUR ATAR

& PART 2:

THE TOP 5 UNI DEGREES TO STUDY IN 2016-2017

PART 1: HOW TO MAXIMISE YOUR ATAR

WHAT IS THE ATAR?

• 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

WHY IS IT GOOD TO MAXIMISE YOUR ATAR?

• More course options

• Better scholarship opportunities

• Source of self-esteem and accomplishment

• Make your family and loved ones proud

HOW TO MAXIMISE YOUR ATAR

1. Plan

2. Percentiles

3. Pinpoint

4. Proactivity

5. Provisions

HOW TO MAXIMISE YOUR ATAR 1st “P” - PLAN

Have an idea of your course’s ATAR cut-off and then add 4 to it

If you are unsure about your course, seek to maximise your ATAR as much as possible

UNSW B MedSci Course Cut-Offs

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

97.1 95.1 95.1 94 93.25

“3.85” ATAR POINT SWING IN 5 YEARS

91

92

93

94

95

96

97

98

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

ATAR

ATAR

HOW TO MAXIMISE YOUR ATAR 1st “P” - PLAN

Summary

– The ATAR cut-off can change year to year.

– Planning 4 points ahead can buffer you from any ATAR point swings.

HOW TO MAXIMISE YOUR ATAR 2nd “P” - PERCENTILES

• The ATAR is a percentile calculated by percentiles. Percentile means POSITION.

– If you achieve an ATAR of 99.95, you performed better than 99.95% of your NSW cohort. Equally, it means you were in the Top 0.05%.

Bill Bob

Source: UAC

ATAR 57.05 80.15

HOW TO MAXIMISE YOUR ATAR 2nd “P” - PERCENTILES

Summary

– Marks do not matter. POSITION matters.

HOW TO MAXIMISE YOUR ATAR 3rd “P” - PINPOINTING

• Pinpointing your weaker units and building a solid ‘overall’ POSITION is the smart way to maximise your ATAR.

• POSITION is calculated by percentiles.

SUBJECT MARK PERCENTILE

English Adv 60 <30

Anc History 90 92.55

Biology 80 81.9

Biz Studies 80 76.25

Economics 80 66.75

ATAR 70.4

SUBJECT MARK PERCENTILE

English Adv 60 <30

Anc History 90 92.55

Biology 80 81.9

Biz Studies 80 76.25

Economics 80 66.75

ATAR 70.4

SUBJECT MARK PERCENTILE

English Adv 70 53.6 (+23.6)

Anc History 85 84.35 (-8.2)

Biology 80 81.9

Biz Studies 80 76.25

Economics 80 66.75

ATAR 77.4 (+7)

DROP 5 IN ANC HISTORY AND ADD 10 FOR ENGLISH ADV

HOW TO MAXIMISE YOUR ATAR 3rd “P” - PINPOINTING

Summary

– Aggregate percentile matters more the individual subject marks.

– Always look to improve your aggregate percentile by pinpointing the lowest subjects and doing ‘trade-offs’ or seeking extra support.

– The ATAR difference can be huge.

HOW TO MAXIMISE YOUR ATAR 4th “P” - PROACTIVITY

• Be proactive about maximising your ATAR

– Realise that it is only a measurement tool based on POSITION of the total of your best 10 units

– Set yourself individual subject goals with the ATAR in mind

– Seek advice and mentorship by those who have achieved your ATAR goals in the years before you

– Look for early offer opportunities

HOW TO MAXIMISE YOUR ATAR 4th “P” - PROACTIVITY

Summary

– Think POSITION

– Set your goals

– Create a supportive network

HOW TO MAXIMISE YOUR ATAR 5th “P” - PROVISIONS

• Provisions include:

• Also includes “elite athletes”, “educational access schemes” etc.

Regional bonus points based on

school

Regional bonus points based on

address

Subject bonus points based on

subject

Regional bonus points based on school

Subject bonus points based on subject

Regional bonus points based on address

Example AT ANU, if you are a graduate of a partner school, you will be awarded 5 “bonus points.”

At UNSW, if you are wanting to study Medical Science and if you received a Band 6 or Band 5 in HSC Biology, you will be eligible for 4 “HSCPlus Bonus Points.”

At Macquarie University, you will be eligible for 5 “Rural Bonus Points” if you live in Orange.

HOW TO MAXIMISE YOUR ATAR 5th “P” - PROVISIONS

Summary

– Always factor in BONUS POINTS

– Know that some BONUS POINTS (such as school based) are automatic and

– Some are not automatic, meaning that you will need to apply for them (such as Educational Access Scheme based)

PART 2: THE TOP 5 UNI DEGREES TO STUDY

IN 2016-2017

CRITERIA

• Starting salary

• Industry growth

• Job growth

• First year graduate employment

TOP 5 FOR STARTING SALARY

0 20 40 60 80 100

Earth Sciences / SecondaryEducation

Engineering

Medicine

Optometry

Dentistry

Average

Average

TOP 5 FOR INDUSTRY GROWTH

1. Health care (e.g. nursing, medicine, physiotherapy)

2. Technology (e.g. business, information systems, information technology, computer science)

3. Education (e.g. secondary education, business)

4. Agribusiness (e.g. earth science, business)

5. Wealth management (e.g. finance, business)

TOP 5 FOR JOB GROWTH

TOP 5 FOR FIRST YEAR EMPLOYMENT

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