ATAR FAQs: HSC courses

Watch 'All About Your ATAR', a video that explains how ATARs are calculated

  • What is scaling?

    Scaling is the first step in calculating the ATAR and scaled marks (not HSC marks) are used in the ATAR calculation. Scaling is necessary because HSC students take all kinds of different courses, and scaling allows courses to be compared fairly. The same marks in different courses are not necessarily equal, just as the same amounts of money in different countries are not equal. In the same way that an exchange rate can be used to compare currency in different countries, scaling can be used to compare marks in different courses.

  • Can I work out what my ATAR will be from my HSC marks?

    No you can't. Remember that your scaled marks (not your HSC marks) are used to calculate your ATAR. Your ATAR isn't an average mark, it is a rank that indicates your position. However, as a general rule, if you're in the middle group of students enrolled in your courses (with marks in the 70s) you're likely to get an ATAR in the upper-60s. But sometimes marks in the 70s can mean a much lower ATAR depending on your courses and your position in your courses.

  • Which courses count towards my ATAR?

    Only ATAR courses can be used in the calculation of your ATAR. Your ATAR is calculated from your aggregate of scaled marks from your ATAR courses, including two units of English and your best eight units from the remaining courses (according to the ATAR rules).

    Your ATAR Advice Notice tells you which of your courses were included in the calculation of your ATAR. Just by looking at your HSC marks, it's not possible to tell which courses will be included in your ATAR. Sometimes the course with the lowest HSC mark won't count, but this is not always the case.

  • Why is my ATAR low in comparison to my HSC marks?

    Your ATAR is not a mark but a number that indicates your position in relation to other students.

    Most HSC marks lie between 50 and 100, so that the middle students in most courses will receive a mark between 70 and 80. The middle Year 12 students will be likely to receive an ATAR of approximately 70.

    Download FAQs about the ATAR for more information.

  • Why is one course counted towards my ATAR when another course where I received a higher HSC mark doesn't count?

    Your scaled marks are the marks included in your ATAR calculation and a higher HSC mark doesn't always mean a higher scaled mark. Your scaled mark in a course will be influenced by the overall scaled mean for that course.

    Download FAQs about the ATAR for more information.

  • If I get the same HSC mark in two different courses, will the one with the higher scaled mean count towards my ATAR?

    Not necessarily. Remember, the scaled mean indicates the average academic achievement of the students in that course. When you look at your results, you also have to consider your position in the course. A higher position in a course with a lower scaled mean may warrant its inclusion in your ATAR calculation.

    Both your position in the course and the scaled mean are important in determining which of your courses contribute towards your ATAR.

    Download FAQs about the ATAR for more information.

  • Can I include Distinction courses?

    Yes, Distinction courses are accredited as two-unit courses and are scaled in the same way as other courses.

  • Can I accumulate my courses?

    Yes, you can accumulate courses over a period of up to five years.

  • Can I repeat my courses?

    Yes, you can repeat courses over a period of up to five years. If you repeat a course, only the mark from your latest satisfactory attempt will be included in the calculation of your ATAR.

    Read Repeating courses for more information.

  • Are certain courses always 'scaled up' or 'scaled down'?

    No, scaling is carried out afresh each year. If the quality of the candidature changes the scaled mean will also change.

  • Can I choose certain courses to increase my ATAR?

    No. Scaling is carried out afresh each year, so the scaled means are different every year. When you choose your courses focus on what you're interested in (usually what you're good at too) and what you need to do to prepare for your course or career plans. The scaling process is designed to allow you to choose according to these principles and not, as far as university selection is concerned, be disadvantaged by your choice.

  • Is it true that if I study certain courses I can’t get a high ATAR?

    No, there are students in every course who achieve high ATARs.

  • Can I have my ATAR recalculated?

    Generally speaking no, but there are some instances where your ATAR will be recalculated:

    • if the Board of Studies provides amended HSC results
    • if you complete additional courses
    • if you repeat courses you've already completed.

    If your ATAR is recalculated you'll receive a new ATAR advice notice.

  • Does the school I attend matter?

    No, the school attended doesn't feature in the ATAR calculation, which is based only on marks provided by the Board of Studies.

  • In some courses more students are in performance band 6 than in other courses. Does this affect the scaled mark for the course?

    No, as it is the raw HSC marks that are scaled, not the HSC marks you receive. The percentage of students in performance band 6 differs across courses, but this has no effect on the calculation of the ATAR.

  • In some courses more students get high HSC marks than in other courses. Does this affect the ATAR calculation?

    No. Raw HSC marks are scaled and used in the ATAR calculation.

  • Do I get a better ATAR if I study more units?

    You can't assume that simply by studying more units your ATAR will be increased. While the data shows that students who study more units tend to gain higher ATARs, that is not necessarily the reason why. The relationship between the number of units studied and ATAR might result from interest, motivation, effort, time management and other factors.

  • What happens if I already have an ATAR and add a new ATAR course the following year?

    Your aggregate will be recalculated using your new course and your previous courses. It may increase or stay the same but it won't go down.

    Since you're now being compared with a different cohort your ATAR, which is a rank, may increase, remain the same or decrease.

  • Which ATAR is used for selection purposes?

    Your latest ATAR will be used for selection purposes. This could be better or worse than a previous ATAR.

  • Can an extension course contribute to the ATAR if the corresponding 2-unit course hasn't been satisfactorily completed?

    The general answer is no. The exception is Mathematics where you can complete Extension 1 and Extension 2 without completing 2-unit Mathematics. You can't complete Extension 2 without completing Extension 1.

    English is different. To complete Extension 2 you must complete English (Advanced) as well as Extension 1.

  • Does an extension course have to be completed at the same time as the corresponding 2-unit course?

    No. If you wish, you can complete the 2-unit course one year and the extension course in a later year. If you're adding an extension course and withdraw, the marks from the 2-unit course that you've already done will be available for the calculation of your ATAR.

  • How are extension courses scaled?

    For most extension courses the scaled means and standard deviations are determined by the performance of the extension students on the corresponding 2-unit course.

  • How is English scaled?

    English (Standard) and English (Advanced) are scaled as a single group. However, the same HSC mark gives different scaled marks in English (Standard) and English (Advanced) because scaled marks are based on raw HSC marks, not the HSC marks provided to students. More information can be found in the Report on the Scaling of the NSW HSC.