ATAR Calculator & Study Score Estimator
Get a directional ATAR range, compare state rules, and see which subjects matter most.
Start Studying — FreeUnderstanding the ATAR
What is ATAR?
The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank is a percentile ranking from 0 to 99.95, used for university entry. It compares your overall Year 12 performance against other students in your cohort. An ATAR of 90 means you performed better than 90% of students.
How this estimator works
Enter your expected scores in Quick Estimate mode or use My Subjects for a state-aware breakdown. VCE, HSC, QCE and WACE use real published scaling data from each state’s tertiary admissions authority (VTAC 2024+25, UAC 2024+25 Table A3, QTAC 2024 Table 6, TISC 2025 percentile stats). SACE, TCE and ACT still use tier-weight approximations until their per-subject scaling data is ingested. Results show two layers: a Likely ATAR range (tighter planning band) and a Wider Estimate (accounting for scaling and cohort variation). Official ATARs are still calculated by your state authority.
Maximise Your ATAR
Which subjects scale best?
Maths & Physics scale strongly due to competition level. Literature > English. PE and General Maths scale down. A high score in a neutral subject beats a low score in a high-scaling one.
Tips to improve your ATAR
Focus on your highest-impact subject first. Use spaced repetition for retention. Practice exam-style questions regularly. Target weak syllabus topics where you lose marks.
University cutoff guide
Medicine: 98–99+. Law & Engineering: 85–95. Commerce: 80–90. Education & Arts: 60–80. Many unis offer bonus points and alternative pathways below the published cutoff.
Estimate by State Curriculum
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good ATAR score?
It depends on what you want to study. An ATAR of 90+ opens doors to most competitive courses (medicine, law, engineering at top universities). An ATAR of 70–89 covers a wide range of popular courses. Many excellent degrees accept ATARs below 70, and alternative entry pathways exist at most universities.
How many subjects count for ATAR in each state?
It varies by state. VCE counts your best 4 subjects at full value plus up to 2 increments (10% each). HSC counts your best 10 units (typically 5 subjects). QCE uses your best 5 eligible inputs. WACE uses your best 4 scaled scores. SACE builds a 90-credit aggregate. ACT uses an aggregate from scaled course scores.
How reliable is this ATAR estimator?
Results show two layers. The Likely ATAR is a tighter planning range. The Wider Estimate accounts for the variation that occurs due to scaling differences and cohort composition. Confidence indicators flag when ranges are wider (95+ ATAR, raw marks mode, smaller-cohort states like TCE and ACT). VCE/HSC/QCE/WACE subject scaling is drawn from each state authority’s published 2024–25 scaling reports (VTAC, UAC, QTAC, TISC), so the per-subject raw→scaled curves match what appears in those reports. SACE, TCE and ACT still fall back to indicative tier weights until their per-subject data is ingested. Aggregate-to-ATAR lookups are still derived from historical ranges and may drift a few points from the final official calculation. Treat the output as a directional planning tool, not a prediction — official ATARs are calculated by VTAC / UAC / QTAC / TISC / SATAC.
What is the lowest ATAR possible?
The lowest reportable ATAR is 30.00. Students who fall below this threshold receive an ATAR of "less than 30" or may not receive an ATAR at all if they don’t meet eligibility requirements.
Can I get into uni with a low ATAR?
Yes. Many universities offer alternative entry pathways including adjustment schemes (equity, regional, subject bonuses), portfolio entry, bridging courses, TAFE pathways, and special consideration. Some courses have no ATAR requirement.
Do high-scaling subjects guarantee a better ATAR?
No. Scaling adjusts scores based on cohort difficulty, but you still need to perform well in the subject. A study score of 40 in a low-scaling subject contributes more than a score of 28 in a high-scaling subject. Choose subjects you enjoy and can excel in.
Does Revizi help improve my ATAR?
Revizi provides curriculum-aligned flashcards, cue cards, practice exams, and spaced repetition for all 7 Australian state curricula. These tools help you study more effectively, retain content longer, and identify weak topics before your exams.
What ATAR do I need for medicine?
Medicine at Australian universities typically requires an ATAR of 95+ combined with a strong UCAT (or GAMSAT for graduate entry). Some universities like Monash and UNSW have published cutoffs above 99. Regional universities like JCU and UNE may accept lower ATARs with strong interview performance.
Should I add a 7th subject?
In most states, only your best 4–6 subjects count. A 7th subject can provide insurance if one goes poorly, but spreading yourself too thin may lower all your scores. Focus on excelling in your counted subjects.
Why do ATAR rules change by state?
Each state has its own education authority (VCAA, NESA, QCAA, SCSA, SACE Board, BSSS) with different curriculum structures. The ATAR is calculated by different tertiary admissions centres (VTAC, UAC, QTAC, TISC, SATAC) using state-specific scaling and aggregation rules.
Last updated: March 2026