Only one-in-four students enter uni based on ATAR score, new report shows

Tertiary entry rank scores don’t matter for three-quarters of university admissions, new report shows

ONLY one in four students are entering Australian universities based on their tertiary entry rank.

The finding, contained in a new report from the Mitchell Institute, has cast doubt about the relevance of the high-stakes measure.

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Called the Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR), it compares a student’s Year 12 academic achievement with all other final year students nationwide.

“The question parents, students and teachers should be asking today is ‘if ATAR doesn’t matter for three-quarters of undergraduate admissions, why is it treated as the most important outcome of 13 years of schooling?’,” institute director Megan O’Connell said.

“To be successful in future jobs and participate in society, young people need a broad range of knowledge, skills and capabilities that might not contribute to a high ATAR,’’ she said.

The report revealed 131,555 tertiary applicants were not accepted through the standard ATAR process.

This was an increase of 9.1 per cent since 2016.

Ms O’Connell told the Herald Sun healthy competition was important among students but ATARs should not be the primary focus of schools.

“One of the issues with ranking all students along a single scale is it doesn’t say much about the student other than their overall academic ability,’’ she said.

“Competing for a number that becomes less relevant as soon as they leave secondary school is wasted effort”.

Universities currently use a variety of tests for prospective students such as interviews, aptitude testing, portfolios for creative subjects and special entry schemes for disadvantaged students among others.

“There is a disconnect between what ATAR means for universities and what it means for schools – we place an enormous importance on ATAR in schools even though universities don’t use it for most admissions,’’ Ms O’Connell said.

Bridget Gamble, who is in her final year of an Arts degree at Monash University, said she chose to complete an advance diploma and apply as a mature age student at age 17.

Her ATAR was not needed.

“They are a waste,’’ she said.

“ There is a backside entry into any course and in the meantime of gaining entry you get a worthwhile qualification.

“The amount of pressure put on year 11 and 12 students is crazy when there are other ways.”

@Selby_Cameron