Who is the ATAR for?

By Wasim El-Haj

Much has been said about who the ATAR isn’t for…so who is it for? What is its use?

Tonight is the eve of the release of HSC results for 2018. There are students across four schools for whom I was a careers adviser over 2016-2018 who are awaiting their results.Some will be happy and some will be sad, I expect, as is the human disposition.

The University Admissions Centre (UAC) describes the ATAR on their website as the following:
“The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is a number between 0.00 and 99.95 that indicates a student’s position relative to all the students in their age group (ie all 16 to 20 year olds in NSW).“

What is it based on? Usually it is based on the performance of the student in their final school year, using HSC results that are formed from both moderated assessment marks and the final HSC examination result for each subject. Most of us have had enjoyable times, sad times and very difficult times in our lives. For some students the final school year could be any one of those times, which of course would impact on performance.

“Don’t be upset if you don’t get what you anticipate, there are all sorts of other pathways to success.” ~Rob Stokes, NSW Minister for Education

So the ATAR allows a comparison of one student’s performance with another across New South Wales, allowing tertiary institutions to select students who they think will be best suited for their courses based on this performance. Sure, the ATAR alone does not suffice for many courses such as Medicine – which requires an interview and UMAT score in 2018 – or Music – which often requires an audition. However the ATAR is indicative of that student’s performance in that year compared to others their age – that year.

In my opinion, a higher ATAR is useful for anyone who wants the following:
– Entry in a specific course at a specific institution
– The shortest route possible to complete a desired university degree
– The pleasure of having done so well compared to their peers
– Enjoyment of telling others

– Getting a scholarship or cadetship

The comparative function of the ATAR is for tertiary institutions. It is definitely a useful indicator and I disagree with those who say it is an obsolete measure. I also disagree with those who claim it is a predictor of success, or who give it exaggerated importance.

As the Minister for Education, Rob Stokes, said today: “Don’t be upset if you don’t get what you anticipate, there are all sorts of other pathways to success.” So what if you don’t get the ATAR for that specific course? Well…you could do another course and transfer after a year, or you could do a TAFE course and apply through recognition of prior learning for the course you desire, or you could do a tertiary preparation course for six months at TAFE or the University of New England then apply to some universities…or you could do a whole other course with a lower ATAR then do the desired program as a postgraduate course. There is a pathway to almost every career. Optometry is one of the few programs that really sticks out where getting the desired ATAR really is quite important.

Do you know any adults studying at university? I know many. I went to university with many adults too…and I had been a teacher for several years when I undertook my most recent qualification.
Career development is a life-long process. It does not start nor end with the HSC results or ATAR, although doing well can help you access more options.

For those students who want to undertake an apprenticeship, traineeship, start a business or get a job, the ATAR won’t matter unless you plan to start a university degree in the next three or four years.

Well done to those who scored first in the state in HSC courses today. I congratulate every student who completed their HSC – it is not an easy journey.

To my students – and every student in NSW – remember there are options. Speak to your school’s careers adviser on the day of the ATAR release for advice. Contact the Careers Advisory Service on 1300 300 687 from 9am – 5pm on the 14th, 17th and 18th of December for more advice.

As always, patience and persistence are keys to success…and almost nothing is impossible!