The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is a ranking system used to determine university admission in Australia. It's essential for students finishing Year 12 (or equivalent). This blog will help you understand the ATAR, its calculation, and why it matters to international students.
What is an ATAR?
The ATAR isn't a score out of 100. It's a percentile rank that shows how you performed compared to other Year 12 students in Australia (except Queensland). For example:
An ATAR of 60 means you did better than 60% of students.
The rank ranges from 0.00 to 99.95 in steps of 0.05.
Universities use the ATAR to decide who qualifies for different courses.
How is it Calculated?
The ATAR is based on your results in Year 12. Here's a simple breakdown:
Subjects Required: You must complete at least four subjects, including one English subject.
Scaling: Scores are adjusted based on subject difficulty and overall student performance. This ensures fairness.
Final Calculation: Your highest English score, top three other scores and 10% of two additional subject scores (if you took more than four) are added to get your aggregate score, which is then ranked against all students.
Why is the ATAR Important?
University Admission: Each course has a minimum ATAR requirement. Competitive programs need higher ATARs.
Global Use: Some universities outside Australia also consider the ATAR for admissions.
Things to Keep in Mind
It Can Change: ATAR scores depend on how well all students perform in a given year. They vary annually.
Different Systems: Each Australian state calculates the ATAR slightly differently. Check the specific rules for where you plan to study.
Conclusion
If your dream destination for education is Australia, then it is essential to understand the ATAR. It shows your academic performance compared to other students and determines your eligibility for university courses. Knowing how it works can help you plan and prepare better for your educational goals. We know and understand that the application process can be overwhelming, so we are here for you. The study abroad experts at Hello Study Global are there for you every step of the way. From preparing for entrance exams to college applications, we will guide you to success.
Feel free to reach out to us at Hello Study Global.
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