How is the ATAR calculated
IF you need help understanding how ATARs are calculated, join the club. Here’s our quick reference guide.
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IF you’re confused about how the ATAR is calculated, you’re not alone.
There are many things that determine your ATAR, including how many studies you completed in your VCE, whether or not they got scaled up or down, as well as how you performed in your coursework over the year.
Here’s a basic guide to how it all works.
HOW TO CALCULATE THE ATAR
Your ATAR is an aggregate produced by adding:
• Your VTAC scaled study score in one of English, English (EAL), Literature or English Language;
• Your three next highest VTAC scaled study scores permissible (which, together with the English study, make the “primary four”); and
• 10 per cent of any fifth and sixth permissible studies that are available.
The primary four and increments for any fifth and sixth studies are added together to form an aggregate for each student. You are then ranked in order of these aggregates — the highest rank being 99.95 and then decreasing in steps of 0.05.
The group of students with the highest aggregates will be assigned the highest rank of 99.95. ATARs below 30.00 are reported as ‘less than 30’ on printed statements.
WHAT IF I HAVE MORE THAN SIX VCE STUDY RESULTS?
The six permissible results that give the highest ATAR are used.
HOW MANY YEARS DO I HAVE TO COMPLETE MY VCE?
Studies used in the calculation of the ATAR may be taken over any number of years, however there are some restrictions around time taken to complete individual VCE scored studies (generally one calendar year without special exceptions being granted).
WHAT STUDIES WILL BE USED TO CALCULATE MY ATAR?
Subject to the rules and restrictions described in this supplement, these studies can be used for the ATAR:
• All VCE Unit 3 and Unit 4 sequences.
• Vocational education and training (VET) programs with Unit 3 and 4 sequences.
• One approved higher education study.
WHAT IS A VCE VET PROGRAM?
This is constructed around a nationally recognised qualification, usually at Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Level II or III. Some VCE VET programs offer more than a single qualification outcome.
There are scored studies and unscored studies:
• VCE VET scored studies contribute to the ATAR in the same way as other VCE study.
• Unscored VCE VET studies may contribute to the ATAR as either the fifth or sixth study.
WHAT IS AN ‘APPROVED HIGHER EDUCATION STUDY?’
These are offered by higher education institutions (universities) and the VCAA. They are designed for independent, high-achieving VCE students.
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