For students in Australia aiming for higher education, the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is a crucial metric. It’s not a test in itself but a percentile ranking that compares a student’s academic performance to that of their peers. Administered by state-based tertiary admissions centers, the ATAR determines eligibility for university entry and access to competitive programs across Australia.
The ATAR is used by universities to assess the readiness of students for tertiary-level education. Achieving a high ATAR is often necessary for admission to sought-after programs such as medicine, law, and engineering.
This comprehensive guide explores what ATAR is, how to prepare for it, strategies to boost your score, and the academic and career doors it can open.
Prepare for the ATAR - Australian Tertiary Admission Rank exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.
ATAR stands for Australian Tertiary Admission Rank, used to assess student eligibility for university admission.
It ranks students on a percentile scale from 0.00 to 99.95 in increments of 0.05.
The ATAR is calculated based on Year 12 subject performance and scaled results.
Strong ATAR scores are necessary for competitive university degrees.
Preparation, subject selection, and consistent study are critical to maximizing your ATAR.
The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is a number between 0.00 and 99.95 that indicates a student’s position relative to other students in their age cohort. For example, an ATAR of 85.00 means the student performed better than 85% of their peers.
While ATAR is not a test or exam, it is a ranking derived from a student’s results in Year 12 subjects and is calculated by respective state admission centers, such as:
UAC – Universities Admissions Centre (NSW & ACT)
VTAC – Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre
SATAC – South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre
QTAC – Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre
TISC – Tertiary Institutions Service Centre (WA)
ATAR scores are scaled to account for differences in subject difficulty and student cohort performance. The final score helps universities assess applicants for admission to undergraduate programs.
While you can’t technically “pass” or “fail” the ATAR since it’s a ranking, achieving a high ATAR score is essential if you plan to apply to selective programs.
Steps to achieve a strong ATAR:
Choose high-scaling subjects wisely
Subjects like mathematics, physics, and advanced English often scale well due to perceived difficulty and cohort strength.
Maintain consistent performance
Your Year 12 results in assessments and exams significantly impact your ATAR. Aim for excellence across all subjects.
Understand scaling and moderation
Scaling adjusts scores to fairly compare different subjects. Learn how your state calculates ATAR using scaled marks.
Use school and online resources
Engage with teachers, tutors, and online platforms for guidance, mock exams, and revision materials.
Success in the ATAR requires more than intelligence—it demands strategy, discipline, and resilience.
Key tips include:
Create a realistic study timetable
Structure your days with specific goals and break study into manageable sessions to avoid burnout.
Practice past papers regularly
Familiarity with exam formats, question styles, and time management improves confidence and performance.
Focus on high-weighted internal assessments
These contribute significantly to your school rank, which feeds into ATAR calculation.
Seek feedback early and often
Regularly consult teachers to identify weaknesses and correct mistakes before exams.
Join study groups or tutoring
Collaborative learning enhances retention, motivation, and understanding.
While the ATAR itself is an academic tool, a high score enables entry into top university programs that lead to prestigious careers.
Fields with high ATAR thresholds:
Medicine and Dentistry: Often require ATARs above 95.00
Law: Typically 90.00 and above
Engineering and IT: 80.00–95.00 depending on institution
Business and Finance: 80.00–90.00
Education and Nursing: 60.00–85.00
Graduating from these programs can lead to careers in:
Hospitals and health services
Corporate law firms
Financial institutions
Government and public policy
Research and academia
Some elite scholarships and honors programs also require a minimum ATAR for eligibility.
While students don’t pay for the ATAR itself, there are fees associated with tertiary admissions applications and external exam preparation.
Common expenses include:
University application fee: $70–$100 (via UAC, VTAC, etc.)
ATAR Notes and revision guides: $20–$100 per subject
Tutoring or coaching services: $30–$100/hour
Trial exam papers or test packages: $50–$200
State education departments generally cover the cost of delivering assessments within schools. However, students in private schools may face additional internal testing fees.
The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is more than just a number—it’s a key that opens the door to higher education and future career opportunities in Australia. Whether you’re aiming for medicine, engineering, or the arts, your ATAR score plays a pivotal role in shaping your academic path.
Through strategic subject selection, consistent study habits, and focused preparation, students can maximize their ATAR potential. While it's a competitive process, the right mindset and resources can make a significant difference.
Remember, the ATAR is just one part of your academic journey. Universities also consider interviews, portfolios, entrance tests, and personal achievements in holistic admissions. Stay committed, seek support, and keep your long-term goals in view.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ATAR exam preparation strengthens your knowledge across all domains | Exam anxiety can affect performance — practice tests help reduce it |
| Passing the exam proves competency to employers and clients | Registration fees are non-refundable if you miss your test date |
| Study materials and practice tests are widely available | Limited retake opportunities may apply with waiting periods |
| Exam-based credentials are portable across states and employers | Exam content updates periodically — use current study materials |
| Clear exam objectives help focus your study plan effectively | Testing center availability may require advance scheduling |
Try these questions from our free Australian Tertiary Admission Rank practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
Priya has an ATAR of 91.00. She applies for a Bachelor of Engineering at University A and a Bachelor of Arts at University B. University A calculates her Selection Rank as 95.00, while for University B her Selection Rank remains 91.00. What is the most likely reason for this difference?
Answer: B. University A's Engineering faculty has a subject adjustment scheme for high-level mathematics, which Priya completed.
A student's Selection Rank is their ATAR plus any adjustment factors. These factors are determined by each university and can be course-specific. It is common for faculties like Engineering to offer adjustments for strong performance in relevant subjects like advanced mathematics or physics, raising a student's Selection Rank for that specific course preference.
A student completed Year 12 in Australia several years ago and did not apply to university at the time. They now wish to use their ATAR for university entry. What is the most important consideration?
Answer: B. Many universities accept mature-age ATAR applicants but may also consider other factors such as work experience or offer alternative pathways
While an ATAR does not technically expire, many universities and courses consider additional factors for non-recent school leavers and often have dedicated mature-age or alternative entry pathways.
Jasmine completed her secondary schooling in Western Australia, receiving a WACE and an ATAR. She is now applying for a university in South Australia. Through which organization must she submit her application?
Answer: C. The South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC).
When a student applies for university in a different state, they must use that state's Tertiary Admissions Centre (TAC). For South Australia, the relevant body is the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). TISC is the TAC for Western Australia, while UAC primarily handles applications for NSW and the ACT.
If two universities — one in Victoria and one in Queensland — both list a minimum ATAR of 80 for the same type of engineering degree, what can an interstate applicant with an ATAR of 80 from South Australia conclude?
Answer: A. They meet the ATAR threshold for both universities
Because the ATAR is a nationally standardised rank, an ATAR of 80 from any state satisfies an entry requirement of 80 at any Australian university.
Take the full Australian Tertiary Admission Rank practice test