Frequently Asked Questions
What is an entry score?
How can I help my child succeed in their final year?
What if my child doesn't want a university education?
What if my child doesn't do well enough?
How much will university cost and how do we pay for it?
What is an entry score?
The entry score is a measure of how well your child performs during their final two years of schooling. In all states and territories except Queensland the entrance score is called the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR). The ATAR is used by universities and TAFE institutes when deciding whether to offer a place to a prospective student.
Each student's score is calculated on the basis of his or her results in the Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (SSCE) or Year 12 Certificate. Not all subject results count towards an entry score. A student's results in the SSCE are 'scaled' to rank them against other school leavers across the state. The scaling process is a complicated mathematical procedure designed to recognise, and distribute reward according to, the varying degrees of difficulty between courses. In other words, a mark of 65 in advanced maths might be harder or easier to get than a mark of 65 in literature. The scaling process will raise or lower the original mark to rank all students across a given range of courses. Students whose examination or school marks are significantly lowered will think this unfair, but most universities regard it as the fairest way to find out where a student stands in relation to their peers, and their potential for further study.
Most university courses set a required score, called the cut-off. This may depend on how many students wish to study the course in any given year, the academic strength of the course, or whether a particular profession (such as nursing) has a national skills shortage. Students whose score is higher than the cut-off will get into the course. Those who fall just below the cut-off may still be admitted based on additional selection criteria.
Other courses select students using different methods such as interviews, portfolios or specialised tests. See Selection methods for details.
The International Baccalaureate (IB) is an alternative Year 11 and 12 program offered by a select number of school around Australia.
How can I help my child succeed in their final year?
Success means different things depending on what your child wants to do. It can mean acing every subject to get into medicine or law, or simply passing so they can get their certificate and start a VET course or apprenticeship.
Tips to help your child succeed:
- Provide a quiet place for them to study, away from distractions like the TV and younger siblings
- Ensure they have balanced meals and get enough sleep
- Be supportive and encouraging
- Try not to nag
- Have realistic expectations of their final results – remember that there are alternative pathways and university is not the only option
- Ensure they have a healthy balance between study, work and social life.
Discuss subject options with your child. Make sure they have a mix of subjects – the ones they need to complete to get into their course of choice (prerequisites) plus some they will enjoy. They are more likely to succeed if they are interested in what they are studying.
What if my child doesn't want a university education?
Not all school leavers go on to university-level courses. Entry to apprenticeships or certificate-level courses in a multitude of fields, from apparel manufacture to secretarial studies, does not require a TE score. These courses take into account the range of studies previously done as well as a student's interests and career aspirations. Some VET courses, however, are in high demand, so you have to be prepared for quotas and various methods of screening and selection.
As well as preparing students for a very wide range of occupations, many of these courses are now part of ‘career pathways’, which mean that people can work their way up the ladder by continuing to study if they wish to. Often they can carry some credit from one level to the next. For example, many diplomas completed at TAFE institutes or private providers count for credit towards a university degree.
What if my child doesn't do well enough?
Choosing the right subjects and doing them well is every student’s aim, but if your child misses out on the mark they need it's not the end of the world.
Looking through the articles in the School Leavers section should give you an idea of the various pathways that lead to tertiary study. Knowing about a broad range of options will help you to inform your teenager of all the pathways they can take to get into their chosen course or career.
Things to keep in mind:
- Although ATAR scores are all you (and your child) can think about right now, this won’t always be the case. Once your child is working or studying, ATAR scores are rarely ever mentioned again.
- Tertiary education is not for everyone, and there are so many other options to explore including VET courses, apprenticeships, work or even a gap year.
- Many people go on to further study later in life – about half of those admitted to undergraduate courses are not school leavers.
How much will university cost and how do we pay for it?
See Paying your way.
