Just like any other parent, your child’s high school years might seem more stressful to you than your own. Add in the fuss over ATAR score and sky-high goals of 99+, the pressure is off the roof. While no one can deny ATAR’s importance in students’ lives, we need to calm the commotion around it.

What Is The ATAR Score?

Australian Tertiary Admission Rank is a comprehensive system that ranks a students’ performance in comparison to other students. It evaluates the academic achievement of the students in the final year of school. Each state’s tertiary education centre assigns a percentile rank to the student, which falls between the range of 0.00 – 99.95. The purpose of ATAR is to predict the first-year performance of students in a university. A minimum ATAR score is required to admit students into different courses at different colleges. In essence, ATAR helps to streamline university admissions for bachelor courses across Australia.  

How to Calculate ATAR Score?

ATAR score is calculated through a complex system of internal & external assessments, raw scores, scaled scores and polyranks. The five best scores of the student are selected and put through an algorithm of inter-subject scaling. Each raw score is converted into a percentile to determine the competitiveness of the subject. The average mark of the 5 best subjects is measured to derive a polyrank. In the end, students are ranked in the merit list in descending order of ATAR bands. This process collaborates scores of students across Australia and aligns the admission procedure to be more inclusive.  

What Is a Good ATAR Score?

Although a good ATAR score is subjective to students’ future study plans, a rank between 80–95 is ideal for the majority. The pressure for a 99+ score is often unnecessary. Since the purpose of ATAR is university admissions, an average ATAR of 85+ is adequate for most courses. Thus, unless your child aspires to have a career in exceptional fields, such as STEM, architecture, law etc; there is no need to aim for such a high ATAR target. Students’ choice of the subject determines their goal ATAR. For instance, the University of Queensland offers courses for ranks as low as 72 and the most advanced ones for ATAR 99+. This indicates that students with a huge margin in their scores can study at the same university in different courses.  

Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Stress Out Over a High ATAR

  • Time-bound Relevancy The most obvious yet overlooked aspect of ATAR scores is their relevance after college admission. Students obsess 2 precious years of their life over their ATAR results. This set of digits is hardly ever mentioned again in the academic or professional arena. It’s crucial to look beyond the ATARs to maintain a balance in studies and curricular activities. The anxiety and surmounting pressure of ATAR needs to be rechecked. Help your child understand that it’s just a selection rank that doesn’t dictate their whole life. Instead, their skills and passion would build a bright future for them.
  • Specific courses While you might argue ATAR’s importance for college admission, the fuss over the ‘perfect score’ remains irrelevant. There are limited courses in a few universities that ask for a high ATAR score. Usually, law, medicine, engineering, economics and a few other courses require an ATAR above 97. Thus, if your child’s preference deviates from the aforementioned field of studies, you can relax and let them aim for a lower score. Most reputed universities offer a plethora of courses at 70–90 ATAR. For instance, at Bond University, general admission begins at 65+ ATAR, whereas many courses offer admission at 75+ ATAR at Monash University.
  • International Entry Standards If your plans include international education for your child, you are in luck. ATAR scores are only applicable inside Australia. While ATAR is recognizable across the world, the basis of admission differs for each country. For instance, US universities require impressive GPA, SAT, ACT, TOEFL scores from international students whereas most UK colleges need successful completion of final year at school and a language test. The entry requirements are exclusive to each country and their specific universities. Thus, if a student wants to study abroad, they just need to focus on scoring well without the extra hassle over the highest ATAR score.
  • Additional Criteria of Admission ATAR isn’t the only gateway to tertiary study. While the ATAR requirement is the norm at Australian universities, it’s not the only criteria for selection. From the applicant’s background, life experience or specialisations to eminent sports performance, there are multiple factors accounted for admission. For instance, the University of Sydney offers alternate routes to its esteemed courses. Students of disadvantaged backgrounds or those who showcase elite athleticism are given special consideration. Some other entry pathways offered by USYD are the Early Offer Year 12 (E12) Scheme, Future Leaders Scheme, Gadigal Program, Special Consideration for Admission Scheme, Broadway Scheme etc.
  • Life Beyond College In case your child is unable to score the desired ATAR, it’s not the end of the world. There is a wide variety of opportunities available to them. It’s important to have a solid grasp of students’ goals and modify their journey accordingly. For instance, if your child was unable to get into their preferred university, let them complete a year of undergraduate study in the same degree at a place with lower admission requirements. Later, they can transfer into their college of choice. School leavers or students with the lowest rank can enrol into a bridging course to upskill themselves in a vocation. Besides vocational institutes, students can complete an apprenticeship to gain the necessary skills and credits for university or a job.

As evident where there’s a will, there is a way. Not every student needs to score the perfect ATAR of 99.95, nor do they have to struggle under such exorbitant expectations. At the end of the day, ATAR is just a set of some numbers that lose their shine in a while. Teach your child to focus on their learning rather than the rat race to the highest scores possible. Set a goal for a viable rank according to the student’s educational and professional preferences. For additional help and guidance, contact EzyMathTutoring to mentor your child towards academic excellence. Â