ATAR guide · Sydney
How is the ATAR calculated in NSW?
A plain-English guide to HSC marks, scaling, the best 10 units and how a student’s aggregate becomes an ATAR rank.
Key points
ATAR is a rank, not an average mark
The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank describes a student’s position relative to their age cohort. It is not the average of their HSC marks, and a mark of 90 does not automatically produce an ATAR of 90.
In NSW, UAC uses scaled marks from eligible courses to form an aggregate. The rules include at least two units of English and the student’s best remaining eligible units, for a total of ten units. That aggregate is then used to determine the ATAR.
Essential ideas
What to understand before making a decision.
1. HSC marks
School assessment and examination performance contribute to the HSC marks reported by NESA.
2. Scaling
UAC scales course results so different course candidature and performance patterns can be compared.
3. Best 10 units
The aggregate includes two units of English plus the best eight remaining eligible units.
4. Rank
The aggregate is converted into a percentile rank reported from below 30 up to 99.95.
How it works
How the ATAR calculation works.
- 01
Marks
Start with eligible HSC course results.
- 02
Scale
Compare performance across different courses.
- 03
Select
Count the best ten units under UAC rules.
- 04
Rank
Place the aggregate relative to the age cohort.
Common questions
Common ATAR questions.
Does English always count towards the ATAR?
At least two units of English must be included in the ATAR calculation in NSW, even if they are not the student’s highest scaled units.
Is the ATAR an average of HSC marks?
No. UAC uses scaled marks to form an aggregate, then converts that aggregate into a rank.
Can I calculate an exact future ATAR?
No. Scaling and the relationship between aggregates and ATARs vary by cohort and year. Calculators are estimates for planning, not official predictions.