Remember: Whatever you want to do in life, there is a pathway to take you there, including further study that doesn‘t require an ATAR. Speak with your school, the university of your choice or other further education providers about the options available.
Path to an ATAR
Course Awards
- The award (overall result) you received at the end of the year for your courses.
- The awards for TASC accredited courses are Exceptional Achievement, High Achievement, Commendable Achievement, Satisfactory Achievement, Preliminary Achievement or Limited Achievement.
- For more information, see Assessment, awards & ratings.
Course Scaling
- Level 3 and Level 4 courses (including NIAL) and selected HAP and UCP units are scaled to reflect how difficult it was to achieve a particular award when compared to awards achieved in other courses that year.
- Scaling gives the course score range for each of the awards. Only courses that are scaled are used in your TE Score.
- For more information, see Focus on: Course Scaling.
Tertiary Entrance Score
- If eligible, an overall TE Score is calculated using the combination of your applicable course results that will give you the highest possible score.
- How many courses are used to determine your TE Score will vary from a minimum of four courses to five courses (or potentially more if HAP or UCP units are used).
- For more information, see Focus on: TE Score and ATAR Calculation.
ATAR
- Your overall TE Score is converted to your ATAR showing where your TE Score ranks in your year group compared with the other students in the state.
- The TE Score to ATAR conversion table is published on the TASC website each year showing what the ATAR is for each overall TE Score.
What is an ATAR?
The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) shows a university how your overall academic achievement in senior secondary education compares with other students in the same year group.
ATAR (short for Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) is a number ranging from zero to 99.95.
An ATAR compares your academic achievement with other eligible Tasmanian students that year. For example, an ATAR of 80.00 indicates that you have an overall rating equal to, or better than, 80% of the other ATAR recipients in Tasmania.
It’s important to remember that the ATAR is a ranking order, not a mark. Only 1% of students can be in the top 1%. This means that only 1% of students can achieve an ATAR of 99.00 or above.
Universities may use an ATAR and other requirements to assess who can enrol in a particular course. For example, a university course may require an ATAR of 80.00 or above for entrance. Keep in mind that universities take into account a range of factors when deciding who they will offer places to.
How do I achieve an ATAR?
To be eligible to receive an ATAR in Tasmania you must complete at least two years of post-Year 10 senior secondary study (or equivalent). During this period, you must:
- meet the standards to achieve the Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE), and
- achieve at least a Satisfactory Achievement or better in at least four TASC Level 3 or 4 courses or equivalent (including HAP and/or UCP courses).
The requirements to receive an ATAR in Tasmania are set by the University of Tasmania, as the Tertiary Admissions Centre for Tasmania.
Overview
- You must achieve the Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE) to be issued with an ATAR.
- An ATAR is based on your overall Tertiary Entrance Score (TE Score).
- This score is calculated by combining the best Level 3 or 4 course scores from your senior secondary studies (Years 11, 12 or 13).
How is my ATAR calculated?
Your ATAR is based on your overall Tertiary Entrance Score (TE Score). This score is calculated by combining your best Level 3 or Level 4 course scores from two senior secondary years (Years 11, 12 or 13).
Remember: The combination of results that gives your highest possible overall TE Score is automatically selected at the end of your senior secondary studies. Your ATAR Statement will say which courses are used.
If you study the same course multiple times, only one (1) of your scores for this course can contribute to your overall TE Score. Only courses studied in two years of senior secondary education can contribute, e.g. studies in Year 10 are ineligible.
See Focus On: TE Score and ATAR Calculation for more information and examples.
Your questions answered
How do I achieve the Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE)?
The TCE is a qualification issued if you meet the TCE Participation and Achievement Standard and the Everyday Adult Standards. Check out Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE).
How are my course scores calculated?
A course score is a numerical representation of your overall course award, (EA, HA, CA or SA) that is calculated during a process called scaling. Course scores summarise achievement across courses on a common scale for ATAR calculation. See Focus on: Course Scaling for more information.
Will my Year 13 results count towards my ATAR?
Course score/s achieved in Year 13 will be used if they meet the eligibility requirements and provide the most beneficial outcome when calculating your TE Score. Information about access to Year 13 is available from DECYP.
I studied TASC courses in Year 10. Will these courses be used to calculate my TE Score and ATAR?
No. Senior secondary courses completed in Year 10 are not eligible to be used when calculating an overall TE Score as this score is based on studies in two years of senior secondary education (Years 11, 12 or 13).
Want to know more?
Visit the:
- TASC webpage www.tasc.tas.gov.au/students/university including the TE Score to ATAR conversion tables and scaled course data.
- University of Tasmania webpage on Admission requirements including entry requirements and a range of admission pathways.
- Speak with your school about pathway options, including how to access information on course requirements at your choice of university or other post-senior secondary institution.
- Reach out to the university or other institution of your choice to discuss options available to you.