ATAR Targeting™
We will now show you four simple steps to help target and achieve your target ATAR. You will be able to see which subjects are adding value (or ATAR points) so you can allocate your time efficiently between subjects.
STEP 1: Find the UAC score (out of 500) you need to score your target ATAR.
Use the ATAR vs UAC score graph to find the score out of 500 you need to achieve your target ATAR. We have already done this for ATARs of 99, 97 and 95. Divide this score by 10, to find the average UAC score you need in each subject.
For example, an ATAR of 99 requires ~450, so this means 45 for every subject.
Use the UAC vs Percentile graph to find the rank you need to achieve your target UAC Score.
For example, to get 45 in Mathematics Extension 2 you will need to be in the top 46%, but to get 45 in Physics you need to be in the top 5%. You can now use this as a benchmark for your performance.
STEP 3: Find out the percentile or HSC mark your current performance will give you.
You now know what you need to score to achieve your target ATAR in each subject. Hence, you need to determine what percentile you are now to see if you are above or below that benchmark. The most accurate way is to ask your Principal at school what someone with your current rank scored last year. Otherwise, you may need to guesstimate.
For example, if you are average in Mathematics Extension 2 and your school is about the state average, then you would need to be in the top 46%. If your school is twice as good as the state, you may only need to be in the top 70%.
STEP 4: Set the right goals and allocate your time accordingly.
By Step 3, you should know whether you are on target or not in each particular subject for your target ATAR. By seeing where you are ‘over the bar’ or ‘under the bar’, you can see where best to allocate your studies in order to maximise your ATAR.
For example, suppose you are aiming for 99. If you are already in the top 20% for Mathematics Extension 2, but only in the top 50% for English, you should spend more time in English than Mathematics for the next assessment. Improving further in Mathematics will not increase your final ATAR as much as improving Engish.
To learn more, go to the most advanced ATAR Calculator in NSW.
