Are you a Year 11 or 12 or even a Year 10 student at a Queensland school? If yes, you are at the right place to build your knowledge of how your education system works. By now, you would have most definitely heard the word ATAR or QCE, so what do they mean?
For high school students in Queensland, the ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) and QCE (Queensland Certificate of Education) system can seem like a complex maze. With the dream of pursuing higher education in Brisbane or other parts of Queensland, understanding these systems is crucial. This blog will guide students in Queensland about the ATAR and QCE, providing insights into how they work, how your ATAR is calculated, what to focus on, and more.
What is QCE? and why is it important? 🤔
QCE or the Queensland Certificate of Education is the high school diploma awarded to you by the government of Queensland when you are successful in attaining a minimum of twenty credit points from a combination of subjects you choose in Y11 and Y12. QCE gives students the skills they need for the future whether they plan to do further tertiary study, learn a trade, or find a job after Year 12. The QCE is internationally recognized and a sign of personal and academic success.
🔗 For more information on QCE visit: https://myqce.qcaa.qld.edu.au/what-next/further-education-and-training
Understanding the ATAR ✍️
The ATAR, or Australian Tertiary Admission Rank, is a standardized ranking system that helps universities and other tertiary institutions select students for their courses. It’s a number that represents your academic achievement in relation to all other students in your state. In Queensland, the ATAR is used as a primary criterion for university admissions.
What do I need to get an ATAR?
To obtain an ATAR you can choose your school subjects such that they are either:
- 6 subjects out of which 5 should be general subjects (these are the subjects which count towards ATAR) or you can have all 6 ATAR subjects, only the top 5 best best ones are used for ATAR calculation.
- 4 general subjects + 1 Applied subject or complete a VET certificate level II or III or above.
Additionally, a VET certificate II and above also awards you 4 QCE points on completion.
NOTE: Keep in mind that to be awarded an ATAR it is mandatory that the student successfully achieves a grade C or above in their choice of English subject. This can include General English, Essential English, English Literature, English and Literature Extension or English as an Additional Language.
So how exactly is the ATAR calculated?🧮
(That’s a secret QCAA will never tell you…🤫)
Your ATAR is a powerful tool that opens doors to higher education opportunities in Queensland and beyond. A higher ATAR often translates to more course options and potentially easier entry into competitive programs. However, it’s crucial to remember that your ATAR is just one aspect of your university application. Other factors, such as interviews, portfolios, and prerequisite subjects, may also play a role in the admission process (For courses like medicine and dentistry).
🔗 Refer to the 2024 QTAC course guide for the most recent ATAR cut-offs: https://www.qtac.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/QTAC_Y12-Guide_2024-compressed.pdf
From my research and the information I gathered from experienced teachers and colleagues; your ATAR is calculated based on your performance in a set of subjects known as your ATAR subjects or general subjects. These subjects are typically completed in your final year of high school. The specific calculation process may vary slightly each year, but it involves:
- Assigning a raw score to each of your subjects based on your performance.
- Scaling these scores to account for the difficulty of the subjects you’ve chosen.
- Combining these scaled scores to calculate your ATAR.
Here is an example of how ATAR is scaled up or down depending on your internal + assumed external assessment marks.
NOTE: The following calculations are examples only, and should not be considered entirely accurate, as the most accurate calculations are performed by QCAA only.
- Assume that below are the marks you obtained in your five Y12 ATAR subjects which are Math Methods, Chemistry, Biology, English, and Physics.
Obtained using QCE ATAR calculator: https://qce.atarcalc.com/#%7B%7D
- The QCAA evaluates the difficulty level of a specific subject based on the performance of you and your fellow students within your cohort. This evaluation serves as the foundation for adjusting the subject’s scaling, a process that involves comparing your performance in that subject to your performance in other subjects and to that of your peers. See below for example of scaled marks for the following subjects in three different years:
Obtained using QCE ATAR calculator: https://qce.atarcalc.com/#%7B%7D
- Using the final scaled score for the subjects, an aggregate score is calculated which is finalised into an ultimate ATAR score.
Obtained using QCE ATAR calculator: https://qce.atarcalc.com/#%7B%7D
ATAR is a percentile rank, not a percentage. A score of 90, for example, means you performed better than 90% of students in your year-level cohort in Queensland.
🔗 Refer to these links if you have a course in mind and would like to know what the minimum ATAR requirement for intake is in some of QLDs major universities:
University of Queensland (UQ):
https://study.uq.edu.au/admissions/undergraduate/review-entry-requirements/guaranteed-atar
Queensland University of Technology (QUT):
https://www.qut.edu.au/study/applying/guaranteed-course-offers
Griffith University:
https://www.griffith.edu.au/apply/guaranteed-admission-scheme
James Cook University (JCU):
Focusing on subject selection in Y11 & Y12 📖
Your subject selection in your senior years plays a significant role in your ATAR. While the ATAR is calculated based on your best five subjects, it’s crucial to choose subjects that align with your strengths and interests. Additionally, consider subjects that are scaled well to maximize your ATAR potential.
Now you are wondering what subjects scale well to contribute to your final ATAR calculations, and I have the answer for you. In my experience, some examples of subjects that scale well are Specialist mathematics, Mathematical methods, chemistry, physics, ancient history, English literature, and Languages like Japanese, Italian, and Greek to mention a few.
Scaled subjects in QLD
In Queensland, some subjects are scaled differently than others. Scaling is a process used to adjust raw scores to account for variations in difficulty between subjects. Scaling ensures that students who undertake more challenging subjects are not disadvantaged in the ATAR calculation.
It is essential to research which subjects are scaled well if you’re aiming for a higher ATAR. Universities often provide information about the scaling of specific subjects, helping you make informed decisions.
🔗Refer to the following links to learn more about ATAR scaling as devised by QTAC and some major universities in QLD:
University of Queensland:
https://study.uq.edu.au/stories/how-to-calculate-estimate-ATAR
Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC): ATAR report guide
https://www.qtac.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/QTAC-ATAR-Report-2022-202301.pdf
James Cook University:
https://www.jcu.edu.au/australian-students/opatar-explained
Acing your assessments📄
For those aiming to achieve an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR), understanding the role of internal and external assessments is paramount.
Internal Assessments: The Classroom Journey 🏫
Internal assessments are a cornerstone of the QCE system. They are designed to evaluate a student’s performance over the duration of a course and provide valuable insights into their academic progress. These assessments are conducted by teachers within the school, making them an integral part of the learning process
Types of Internal Assessments: Internal assessments can take various forms, such as assignments, projects, and presentations depending on your chosen subjects. These assessments often align with the subject’s curriculum and offer students a chance to highlight their understanding and skills.
Weightage in ATAR Calculation: While internal assessments are crucial for understanding subject content and gauging progress, their direct contribution to the ATAR is limited. In most cases, internal assessments account for 25%-50% of a student’s final ATAR score, with external assessments carrying more weight.
External Assessments: The Statewide Challenge
External assessments are standardized tests conducted by the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) and to measure students’ performance against a broader cohort of their peers across the state.
Types of External Assessments: External assessments typically include end-of-year exams and, in some cases, folio submissions, practical examinations, or performances, depending on the subject. These assessments are set and marked externally by the QCAA.
ATAR Weightage: External assessments contribute significantly to a student’s ATAR score, often accounting for 50% or more of the final score. This underscores their importance in the ATAR calculation process.
External assessments provide a standardized method of evaluation, ensuring that all students are assessed under the same conditions and criteria. This promotes fairness and consistency in the ATAR ranking process.
In conclusion…🤗
The ATAR and QCE system in Queensland can be intimidating, but with the right information and guidance, you can navigate it successfully. Your ATAR represents your academic achievements and opens doors to various tertiary education options. Choose your subjects wisely, maintain consistency in your studies, and seek support when needed. Consistency in your academic performance throughout your senior years is crucial. While your ATAR is based on your best five subjects, your overall results matter. Slacking off in one subject can negatively impact your ATAR, so strive for excellence in all areas. Navigating the ATAR and QCE systems can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. Seek guidance from your school’s career advisors, teachers, and parents. They can provide valuable insights and support to help you make informed decisions about your subject choices and study habits. Ultimately, your ATAR is a stepping stone toward a bright future in Brisbane, Queensland, or wherever your educational journey takes you.
This blog was written by our Biology and Chemistry tutor, Hoshini Reddy Medarametla. You can find her profile here.
