ATAR Educational Access Schemes (EAS) 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following best describes the relationship between EAS and ATAR in the university selection process?
- EAS replaces the ATAR with a separate score for disadvantaged students
- EAS adds adjustment points to the ATAR to create a higher selection rank used for course offers (Correct answer)
- EAS allows students to skip the ATAR and go directly to interview
- EAS reduces the ATAR of students from advantaged backgrounds
Correct answer: EAS adds adjustment points to the ATAR to create a higher selection rank used for course offers
EAS does not replace the ATAR but supplements it by adding adjustment points, resulting in a selection rank that universities use to assess eligibility for course offers.
Question 2: A student who attended a correctional facility's school program during part of Year 12 would most likely apply under which EAS category?
- Language background other than English
- Disrupted schooling and non-schooling (Correct answer)
- First-in-family
- Isolation and rural disadvantage
Correct answer: Disrupted schooling and non-schooling
Attendance at a non-standard educational setting such as a correctional facility constitutes severely disrupted or non-standard schooling under EAS.
Question 3: A student discovers after submitting their EAS application that they forgot to include a key medical document. What is the recommended course of action?
- Submit a completely new EAS application
- Contact UAC immediately to inquire about adding supplementary documentation before the deadline (Correct answer)
- Ask the university directly to waive the missing document
- Wait until after offers are released and then provide the document
Correct answer: Contact UAC immediately to inquire about adding supplementary documentation before the deadline
Students should contact UAC promptly to determine whether supplementary documentation can be added, as deadlines exist and waiting too long may prevent updates.
Question 4: Which of the following correctly identifies a key difference between EAS and the Schools Recommendation Scheme (SRS)?
- EAS is based on disadvantage circumstances, while SRS is based on school achievement and teacher recommendations (Correct answer)
- EAS is only for private school students, while SRS is for public school students
- SRS requires a minimum ATAR of 90, while EAS has no ATAR requirement
- EAS and SRS are the same program offered under different names by different universities
Correct answer: EAS is based on disadvantage circumstances, while SRS is based on school achievement and teacher recommendations
EAS targets students who experienced disadvantage affecting their results, while SRS rewards strong academic performance and personal qualities as recommended by schools.
Question 5: How does geographic isolation factor into the EAS assessment for a student who grew up in a remote area?
- The student automatically receives the maximum 10-point adjustment regardless of other factors
- Geographic isolation is assessed alongside limited access to qualified teachers, subject options, and educational resources (Correct answer)
- Geographic isolation only qualifies if the student lived more than 500 km from the nearest capital city
- Geographic isolation is no longer a recognized EAS category as online learning has eliminated rural disadvantage
Correct answer: Geographic isolation is assessed alongside limited access to qualified teachers, subject options, and educational resources
Isolation is assessed holistically, looking at how the remote location limited educational resources, subject availability, and qualified teaching rather than just distance alone.
Question 6: A student whose ATAR places them 2 points below the cut-off for their dream course receives a 3-point EAS adjustment. What most likely happens?
- The student is guaranteed a place in the course
- The student's selection rank now exceeds the cut-off, likely making them eligible for a course offer (Correct answer)
- The student must still reapply the following year with the adjusted rank
- The 3-point adjustment only applies to courses at the same university that processed the EAS
Correct answer: The student's selection rank now exceeds the cut-off, likely making them eligible for a course offer
With a 3-point EAS adjustment bringing the selection rank above the cut-off, the student would typically be considered eligible for an offer to that course in that round.
Question 7: Which statement about EAS eligibility timelines is most accurate?
- Students can apply for EAS at any point within ten years of completing high school
- EAS applications are only accepted from current Year 12 students during the HSC year
- EAS may be available to recent school leavers and in some cases mature-age applicants depending on university policy (Correct answer)
- EAS is exclusively for students applying to university the year they complete Year 12
Correct answer: EAS may be available to recent school leavers and in some cases mature-age applicants depending on university policy
While EAS primarily targets current school leavers, some universities extend access scheme provisions to recent leavers or mature-age students who experienced disadvantage during their schooling.
ATAR Educational Access Schemes (EAS) 5
Which of the following best describes the relationship between EAS and ATAR in the university selection process?