Everything you want to know about the ATAR

DON’T know VCE from VFE and VET, and how these impact your ATAR? Your most frequently asked ATAR questions, answered.

Suffering from a case of ATAR information overload? Maybe these FAQs will help.

THERE are lots of things to learn throughout your VCE years, how to navigate the ATAR and applications systems being one of them.

These are some of your most frequently asked questions, answered.

ATAR FAQs

Trying to understand the ATAR system got me like.

ATAR

I’VE GONE BACK TO DO ONE OR TWO SUBJECTS THIS YEAR. WILL I GET A NEW ATAR?

For students who return to study with a previously achieved ATAR and are awarded at least one study score, or complete a non-scored VET subject, a new ATAR will be calculated.

The new ATAR is awarded only if it is higher than the one previously achieved.

Ranking for courses will be based on the overall highest ATAR achieved.

Please note: Study scores are scaled in the year they are undertaken.

I’VE RECEIVED A NOTIONAL ATAR. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

Notional ATARs are used to rank applicants who either have previous Victorian Year 12 results (other than VCE results) or another qualification obtained in Victoria such as the International Baccalaureate.

In the case of previous Victorian Year 12 results, or those who take a Victorian Year 12 on a different timetable, a notional ATAR is calculated using the same rules as for the ATAR.

For these qualifications, different methods are used while still adhering to the same underlying principles. Further information may be obtained from VTAC.

Only Victorian IB students who sit the GAT and who are VTAC applicants will be issued with a printed notional ATAR statement.

I’M APPLYING INTERSTATE. IS MY ATAR RELEVANT?

Victorian VCE applicants applying for tertiary courses in other Australian states will be considered on the basis of their Victorian ATAR. For example, an ATAR of 50 is the same across all states.

These look surprisingly similar to my VCE subjects.

VCE STUDIES

ARE THERE ANY RESTRICTIONS ON THE SUBJECTS I CAN STUDY?

There are several restrictions on study combinations that will affect the calculation of the ATAR. Only one subject from within each of the following combinations can be used in the best six for the calculation of the ATAR:

• English/English as an Additional Language (EAL)

• Chinese (FL)/Chinese (SL)/Chinese (SL Advanced)

• Indonesian (FL)/Indonesian (SL)

• Japanese (FL)/Japanese (SL)

• Korean (FL)/Korean (SL)

• Mathematical Methods/Mathematical Methods (CAS)

The primary four: At most, two results from any of the English, Mathematics, History, Contemporary Australian Studies, Information Technology, Languages, and Music study areas can contribute to the primary four.

The ATAR: At most, three results from any of the English, Mathematics, History, Contemporary Australian Studies, Information Technology, Languages, and Music study areas can contribute to the ATAR, whether they are VCE results, higher education study results, or VET results.

Note: The restrictions listed here are for studies completed after 2007. Additional restrictions may apply where earlier studies have been completed. Contact VTAC for further information.

Maybe if we hide under here VCE will just go away.

VET PROGRAMS

I’M THINKING OF SELECTING ONE OR TWO VCE VET UNIT 3 AND 4 SEQUENCES WITH A SCORED ASSESSMENT. WILL THAT CONTRIBUTE TO MY ATAR?

VCE VET study scores are scaled and treated in the same way as traditional Unit 3 and 4 VCE studies. As a result, they may be included in the calculation of the ATAR.

If a scored assessment is available and you decide not to take it, no increment will be available.

I’VE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED VCE VET UNIT 3 AND 4 SEQUENCES WITH NO SCORED ASSESSMENT AVAILABLE. HOW WILL MY RESULTS CONTRIBUTE TO MY ATAR?

Because there are no scores available for unscored sequences, VTAC may include the sequence as an increment (the fifth or sixth study).

The amount of the increment is determined by calculating 10 per cent of the average of the primary four.

I’VE COMPLETED TWO VET UNIT 3 AND 4 SEQUENCES AND THEY ARE VERY SIMILAR. WILL THEY BOTH BE INCLUDED IN MY ATAR?

If you have completed two VET Unit 3 and 4 sequences deemed by the VCAA to be equivalent because of significant duplication, only one result can contribute to the ATAR.

• If one sequence has scored assessment available, then your result in the scored sequence will be used in the calculation of your ATAR.

• If both sequences have scored assessment, then the higher result will be used. If neither sequence has scored assessment, one VET increment will be available.

ARE THERE ANY RESTRICTIONS ON THE USE OF VET STUDIES WITHIN AN INDUSTRY AREA?

There are a range of restrictions that apply to how VET studies within an industry area are used.

In cases where no scorable sequence in an industry area has been attempted, up to two VET or VFE increments from that area can contribute to the ATAR as increments.

Where a single scorable VCE VET sequence has been attempted in an industry area, that result will be the first possible industry area contributor to the ATAR, and a maximum of two increments can be added by non-scorable VET or VFE sequences in the same industry area.

Where two scorable non-equivalent VCE VET sequences have been attempted in an industry area, those results will be the first possible industry area contributors to the ATAR, and at most one increment can be added by non-scorable VET or VFE sequences in the same industry area.

Where more than two scorable non-equivalent VCE VET sequences have been attempted in an industry area, only those results will be possible industry area contributors to the ATAR, with at most two being permissible in the primary four and at most three being permissible in the ATAR.

Remember: “Scorable” means that scored assessment is available and completed. If your VCE VET subject has scored assessment available, and you choose not to complete it, that subject cannot contribute towards your ATAR.

I’VE COMPLETED SOME VFE STUDIES. IS IT TRUE THAT I’LL GET BLOCK CREDIT TOWARDS MY ATAR?

VFE studies are VET courses that are not part of the VCE VET program, but have been approved for block credit by the VCAA, with the results recorded by your school. Your VFE studies will count towards block credit for your ATAR if you only have four or five VCE or VCE VET studies available. If you have six or more VCE or VCE VET studies available, a VFE block credit result will not be used in the calculation of the ATAR.

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