Formula & Calculator
ATAR Calculator (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank)
The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is a percentile ranking between 0.00 and 99.95 that indicates a student's position relative to all students in their age cohort. An ATAR of 90.00 means the student performed better than 90% of the cohort. The ATAR is calculated differently in each Australian state but all produce the same 0.00-99.95 scale in increments of 0.05. The calculation involves: raw scores from subject assessments, scaling to account for difficulty differences between subjects, creation of an aggregate from best scaled subject scores, ranking students by aggregate, and converting rankings to percentiles. This calculator helps students estimate their ATAR based on their subject scores.
ATAR Aggregate to Rank Reference
| Aggregate | ATAR | Percentile |
|---|
Subject Scaling Factors
Higher scaling = more difficult subjects
About the ATAR
How is ATAR calculated?
- Raw subject scores are scaled to account for difficulty differences
- The best scaled scores are combined into an aggregate
- Students are ranked by aggregate
- Rankings are converted to percentiles (0.00–99.95)
State differences: Each Australian state uses its own scaling system:
- NSW (HSC) – Uses UAC scaling
- VIC (VCE) – Uses VTAC scaling
- QLD (QCE) – Uses QTAC scaling
- WA (WACE) – Uses TISC scaling
- SA (SACE) – Uses SATAC scaling
- TAS (TCE) – Uses UTAS scaling
- ACT (AST) – Uses UAC scaling
- NT (NTCET) – Uses SATAC scaling
Important: This calculator provides an estimate only. Actual ATAR calculations vary by year, state, and subject availability.
Variables
| Symbol | Quantity | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| ATAR | Australian Tertiary Admission Rank | 0.00 to 99.95 |
| Aggregate | Scaled Subject Aggregate | Points |
| Percentile | Student Ranking | % |
What it means
ATAR is a percentile ranking that shows how you performed compared to other students in your age group. A higher ATAR means you ranked higher than more students.
Worked example
Worked Example 1 – VCE ATAR Calculation
A student in Victoria (VCE) has the following scaled study scores: English 35, Mathematics Methods 38, Physics 40, Chemistry 36, Biology 32. The Primary Four (English + best 3) = 35 + 38 + 40 + 36 = 149. The 5th and 6th subjects count 10% each: Biology 32 × 0.1 = 3.2. Total aggregate = 149 + 3.2 = 152.2. This aggregate typically corresponds to an ATAR around 90.
Worked Example 2 – HSC ATAR Calculation
A student in NSW (HSC) has the following scaled marks: English Advanced 85, Mathematics Extension 1 80, Chemistry 82, Physics 78, Economics 75, Biology 70. Best 2 units of English = 85. Best 8 units from remaining = 82 + 80 + 78 + 75 = 315. Total aggregate = 85 + 315 = 400. This aggregate typically corresponds to an ATAR around 85.
Worked Example 3 – QCE ATAR Calculation
A student in Queensland (QCE) has the following scaled results: English 88, Mathematics 85, Physics 82, Chemistry 80, Biology 78. Best five subjects = 88 + 85 + 82 + 80 + 78 = 413. This aggregate typically corresponds to an ATAR around 92.
Common mistakes
- Confusing ATAR with a raw mark or percentage score.
- Assuming all subjects are weighted equally in the aggregate.
- Not including the compulsory English component in the calculation.
- Using unofficial scaling data that may not reflect actual state scaling.
- Forgetting that ATAR is a rank, not a score out of 100.
Applications
- Estimate your ATAR for university applications.
- Understand how your subject scores translate into an ATAR.
- Plan your study strategy to achieve your target ATAR.
- Compare your academic performance with Australian standards.