How to use the ATAR Calculator
- Enter scaled study scores for your best four subjects, including English.
- Add up to two further subjects to earn increments.
- Read the aggregate score.
- Compare the aggregate against the year's rank conversion to estimate ATAR.
How the calculation works
The aggregate is the sum of your best four scaled study scores — English is compulsory in the primary four — plus 10% of the scaled score of each of up to two additional subjects. Scaling is the step that surprises people: raw study scores are adjusted upward or downward based on the strength of the cohort taking that subject, so specialist mathematics and languages typically scale up while some applied subjects scale down.
The aggregate is then converted into a percentile rank across the state's cohort, reported in 0.05 increments up to 99.95. Because it is a rank, ATAR is zero-sum: improving requires outperforming other students, not merely hitting an absolute mark. Scaling also means subject choice affects the outcome — but only if you can perform in the harder subject, since a scaled-up subject you do poorly in still contributes a low score. The conversion table shifts slightly each year with cohort performance, so any estimate before results are published is approximate.
Aggregate = sum of best 4 scaled scores + 0.1 × (up to 2 further scaled scores)Source: VTAC ATAR calculation method: aggregate of primary four plus 10% increments, converted to a percentile rank.
Worked example
Scaled scores of 38 English, 42 Maths Methods, 40 Chemistry, 36 Biology, plus 34 and 31 in two more subjects.
- Primary four = 38 + 42 + 40 + 36 = 156.
- Increments = 0.1 × (34 + 31) = 6.5.
- Aggregate = 162.5.
- That aggregate maps to roughly the 90th percentile.
An estimated ATAR near 90.00, subject to the year's published conversion table.
Frequently asked questions
Is ATAR a mark or a rank?+
A rank. An ATAR of 85 means you placed above about 85% of your age cohort.
Why are study scores scaled?+
To account for differing cohort strength, so equal achievement across subjects is treated equally.
Should I pick subjects that scale up?+
Only if you can perform well in them. A scaled-up subject done badly still contributes little.
How accurate is an estimate?+
Approximate. The aggregate-to-rank conversion is only fixed once the cohort's results are known.
Last reviewed August 31, 2026. We review this page whenever the underlying formula, tax year, published rate or standard changes.