VCE results guide 2017: What counts towards the ATAR?
THERE is more to the ATAR than meets the eye. Here is everything you need to know about how it is calculated and which Study Scores can be counted towards it.
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What counts towards the ATAR?
The ATAR is based on the results from up to six Unit 3 and 4 VCE sequences.
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The results do not all have to be from the one year. The ATAR is calculated using:
● A student’s best score in any one of the English studies, plus
● The scores of their next best three permissible studies (which together with the English study make the “Primary Four”), plus
● 10 per cent of the scores for any fifth and sixth study which they may have completed (these are called increments).
If a student has a Primary Four they will get an ATAR. VTAC will use up to six results in calculating the ATAR. If a student has more than six results, the six permissible scores that give the highest ATAR are used.
While studies used in the calculation of the ATAR may be taken over any number of years, the length of time taken to complete VCE studies may be taken into account by institutions.
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Vocational Education and Training (VET) programs
VET programs included in the VCE Unit 1 to 4 framework contribute to the ATAR in a similar way to VCE studies.
Scored Unit 3 and 4 VCE VET sequences are scaled and used in the same way as scored VCE Unit 3 and 4 sequences.
Unscored Unit 3 and 4 VCE VET sequences may contribute to the ATAR as a fifth and/or sixth increment which is calculated from the average of the Primary Four VTAC Scaled Study Scores.
Where VCAA has granted block credit towards the VCE at Units 3 and 4 level for recognised VET or Further Education (VFE) qualifications, these studies are eligible for inclusion as a fifth and/or sixth study increment in the calculation of the ATAR. This increment is calculated from the average of the Primary Four VTAC Scaled Study Scores. However, VCE and VCE VET results will take precedence over VFE block credit results in the calculation of the ATAR. Therefore, VFE block credit can only be used in the calculation of an ATAR if there are fewer than 6 VCE or VCE VET studies available. If there are 6 or more eligible VCE or VCE VET studies available, a VFE block credit result cannot be used.
VFE studies must be at level three or above in the Australian Qualifications Framework.
Approved Higher Education Studies in Schools
Students undertaking an approved Higher Education Study in Year 12 can include the result as an increment in the ATAR (fifth or sixth study, but not both) provided that it is passed; that VCAA co-requisite or prerequisite conditions were met; and study combination restrictions were met. An increment will be awarded for the Higher Education Study, depending on the level of results achieved in the Higher Education Study as follows:
● If the student’s average result over all the Higher Education study units is below 50% no Higher Education increment is given.
● If the student’s average result over all the HE study units is at least 50% but less than 60%, the Higher Education increment will be 3.0.
● If the student’s average result over all the HE study units is at least 60% but less than 70%, the Higher Education increment will be 3.5.
● If the student’s average result over all the HE study units is at least 70% but less than 80%, the Higher Education increment will be 4.0.
● If the student’s average result over all the HE study units is at least 80% but less than 90%, the Higher Education increment will be 4.5.
● If the student’s average result over all the HE study units is at least 90%, the Higher Education increment will be 5.0.
Restrictions
There are some restrictions on how certain combinations of studies may be counted for an ATAR.
In each of the study areas of English, mathematics, history, contemporary Australian studies, information technology, languages and music:
● At most two results can. contribute to the Primary Four.
● At most three results can contribute to the ATAR, the third being counted as a
10% increment for a fifth or sixth study.
This also includes Higher Education studies. So, if an ATAR incorporates a Higher Education study increment from any of the study areas listed above, then at most two VTAC Scaled Study Scores and/or VET increments from that study area may be used.
For a list of VCE subjects grouped into each study area, refer to the VTAC Year 10 Guide: vtac.edu.au/publications/
There are other specific restrictions where two or more studies have similar content, or where studies have been combined. Nevertheless, within these restrictions, the combination that generates the highest ATAR will be used.
There are no restrictions on the number of VET results that can be counted in the ATAR.
However, there are industry area restrictions on VET studies similar to the study area restrictions listed above. There are 26 separate industry areas.
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