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The ATAR Guide

Everything you need to know about the ATAR — how it works, how it's calculated, and how to maximise yours across the WACE ATAR sciences and mathematics.

What is the ATAR?

  • The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is a number between 0.00 and 99.95 that ranks your academic achievement relative to all other students in your year group across Australia.

  • It is used by universities to determine entry into courses. An ATAR of 90 means you performed better than 90% of your peers.

  • In Western Australia, the ATAR is calculated by the Tertiary Institutions Service Centre (TISC) based on your scaled marks from WACE subjects.

How is it Calculated?

  • Your ATAR is based on your Tertiary Entrance Aggregate (TEA), which is calculated from your best scaled marks across your WACE subjects.

  • ATAR subjects are scaled — this means your raw marks are adjusted based on how the broader cohort of students taking that subject performed. High-demand subjects like Biology often scale well.

  • You need at least four ATAR-graded subjects (including English) to receive an ATAR.

Your subjects and your ATAR

  • Your ATAR comes from your best scaled marks, so the subjects you choose and how well you do in them both matter. The ATAR sciences and mathematics are well regarded and can contribute strongly to your aggregate — provided you perform in them, which is what our courses are built for.

Tips for Maximising Your ATAR

  • Choose subjects you are genuinely interested in and can perform well in — passion and aptitude both matter.

  • Consistency across the year matters more than a last-minute push. School assessments contribute to your final mark.

  • Seek expert support early. Students who identify gaps in Year 11 and address them systematically enter Year 12 with a significant advantage.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do I receive my ATAR?

ATARs are released in mid-December, shortly after final exam results.

Can I improve my ATAR after Year 12?

Yes — you can resit WACE exams in subsequent years to improve your scaled marks and ATAR.

Do all universities use the ATAR?

Most do for direct entry, but many also offer alternative pathways, portfolio entry, or bridging programs.

How much does scaling affect my subjects?

Scaling varies year to year based on how each cohort performs, so it is not something you can control or predict. Choose subjects you can do well in, and focus your effort on the mark you earn rather than the scaling you hope for.

Ready to start building toward your ATAR goal?

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