Why the ATAR still matters

WITH Year 12 students across Australia having already received or about to receive their ATARs, there’s understandably a lot of discussion in the community about whether all the fuss is really worth it. This is particularly the case in an environment where many students already have early offers.

While UAC is responsible for the calculation and distribution of ATARs for NSW HSC students, UAC’s position on the ATAR has always been one of balance. Of course, students are more than their ATARs, but the ATAR does have a valuable role to play, and we should celebrate students who have set themselves a goal and worked hard to achieve it.

The ATAR is the most effective and fairest tool for universities to rank students for entry into competitive courses. It’s also true that the ATAR is an excellent predictor of success in first-year university study, helping both universities and students mitigate the risks associated with a lack of academic preparedness for higher education.

While the ATAR is often criticised because it is a single number, it is calculated using many inputs to provide the best summation of a student’s achievements from senior secondary schooling in comparison to their peers. Because the ATAR is based on achievement, rather than say, an aptitude test, it is a measure of both ability and effort.

For all these reasons the ATAR matters.

However, there are many options for all students to continue their learning journey no matter their ATAR and at UAC, we proudly encourage everyone to consider further studies. We also actively work to increase access to tertiary study for students from backgrounds that have traditionally been underrepresented on our campuses. For many of those students the ATAR is their gateway to opportunity.

For all students who achieve the ATAR they were hoping for, it can provide a smooth transition into their preferred university course.

And for students whose ATAR falls short of their hopes, they need only switch their focus to the many other options available to them to pursue further study.

Further studies about the ATAR:

• Read more about the usefulness of the ATAR, UAC report
• The Effectiveness and Limitations of the ATAR, UAC report
• Dropping out: the benefits and cost of university, Grattan Institute
• ATAR’s rising relevance: admission standards and completion rate, The Centre for Independent Studies

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For further information (media only) email media@uac.edu.au or contact:
Diane Jardine, Communications Coordinator, UAC on 0436 459 603, or
Kim Paino, Interim Managing Director, UAC on 0409 155 112.