ATAR Selection Rank vs. ATAR 3

Question 1

Which Australian state or territory does NOT use the ATAR as its primary tertiary admissions rank?

Accepted Answer

Queensland used a separate system called the OP until 2019

Answer

Queensland replaced its Overall Position (OP) system with the ATAR in 2019, so before that year it used a different ranking system.

Question 2

A student applies to a nursing course requiring a selection rank of 70.00 plus a mandatory interview. The student has a selection rank of 75.00 but fails the interview. What happens?

Accepted Answer

They may not receive an offer because additional requirements must also be met

Answer

Many courses have supplementary requirements such as interviews or portfolios that must be satisfied alongside the selection rank cutoff.

Question 3

What does it mean when a university publishes a 'clearly-in' selection rank?

Accepted Answer

Applicants at or above this rank are almost certain to receive an offer

Answer

A 'clearly-in' rank is a threshold above the previous cutoff at which applicants can be confident they will receive an offer.

Question 4

How does a school-based traineeship or apprenticeship typically affect a student's ATAR and selection rank?

Accepted Answer

It replaces one of the student's ATAR-contributing subjects with a scaled vocational score

Answer

Recognised vocational education and training (VET) subjects can contribute to the ATAR aggregate in place of a standard subject, depending on state rules.

Question 5

A student's selection rank is used by a university. Which of the following is the university assessing when it looks at this rank?

Accepted Answer

The student's relative academic performance compared to their age cohort

Answer

The ATAR and selection rank reflect a student's performance relative to their peers in the same age cohort, not their absolute scores.

(ATAR) Australian Tertiary Admission Rank Practice Test

(ATAR) Australian Tertiary Admission Rank Practice Test

ATAR Selection Rank vs. ATAR 3