Why the ATAR works

A new report by the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) shows exactly why the ATAR works.

The report, ‘The Usefulness of the ATAR as a Measure of Academic Achievement and Potential’ shows that the ATAR is the best available predictor of university success, as measured by students’ first-year grade-point-average (GPA).

It also shows that one of the strengths of the ATAR is that, even though it is only one number, it is actually a broad summation of a student’s achievements from senior secondary schooling.

Kim Paino, General Manager of Marketing and Engagement at UAC says, ‘We're really pleased that our analysis shows that the ATAR does work. It cops a lot of flak but it needs to be seen in the context only of university admission, and even in that as being one very useful tool in a much broader ecosystem of ways in which students prove that they deserve a spot at uni.’

Australia is a world leader in having a university entry system that is flexible, diverse and transparent.

Although it isn’t a perfect measure of the ‘whole student’, the ATAR is an efficient and effective measure of academic achievement and potential.

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For further information (media only) email media@uac.edu.au or contact:

Diane Jardine, Communications Officer, UAC on (02) 9752 0775, or
Kim Paino, General Manager, Marketing and Engagement, UAC on (02) 9752 0760 or 0409 155 112.