Selection Rank vs. ATAR Flashcards
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Priya has an ATAR of 91.00. She applies for a Bachelor of Engineering at University A and a Bachelor of Arts at University B. University A calculates her Selection Rank as 95.00, while for University B her Selection Rank remains 91.00. What is the most likely reason for this difference?
Answer: University A's Engineering faculty has a subject adjustment scheme for high-level mathematics, which Priya completed.
A student's Selection Rank is their ATAR plus any adjustment factors. These factors are determined by each university and can be course-specific. It is common for faculties like Engineering to offer adjustments for strong performance in relevant subjects like advanced mathematics or physics, raising a student's Selection Rank for that specific course preference.
Which of the following statements accurately describes the fundamental relationship between an ATAR and a Selection Rank?
Answer: A student has one ATAR, but may have different Selection Ranks for each university preference.
An ATAR is a single, nationally recognized rank calculated by the relevant state TAC. However, universities independently apply adjustment factors (for subjects, location, equity, etc.) to the ATAR to derive a Selection Rank for each specific course preference. This means a student's Selection Rank can vary from one course or university to another.
A university advertises a course with a "Guaranteed Entry" rank of 85.00. A student achieves an ATAR of 82.00 but is eligible for 5 adjustment factors due to living in a regional area. Assuming all other prerequisites are met, what is the student's status regarding this course?
Answer: The student is guaranteed an offer because their Selection Rank is 87.00.
Guaranteed Entry thresholds are based on the Selection Rank, not the raw ATAR. The student's Selection Rank is calculated as their ATAR (82.00) plus any adjustment factors (5.00), resulting in a Selection Rank of 87.00. Since this is above the guaranteed threshold of 85.00, the student will be guaranteed an offer.
Which of the following factors would be used by a university to calculate a student's Selection Rank but would NOT be used by a Tertiary Admissions Centre (TAC) to calculate the student's ATAR?
Answer: The student's successful application to an Educational Access Scheme (EAS).
The ATAR is calculated by the TAC based on a student's scaled academic results. The Educational Access Scheme (EAS) provides adjustment factors for students who have experienced long-term educational disadvantage. These adjustments are applied by the universities to the ATAR to create a Selection Rank; they do not change the ATAR itself.
A Selection Rank is best described as:
Answer: A rank used by an institution for admission, calculated by adding any eligible adjustment factors to a student's ATAR.
The Selection Rank is the tool universities use to assess applicants. It starts with the student's ATAR and is modified by adding any 'bonus points' or adjustment factors the student is eligible for under that university's specific schemes.
Under what circumstances can a student's Selection Rank be lower than their ATAR?
Answer: A Selection Rank can never be lower than the student's ATAR.
Adjustment factors, often called 'bonus points', are designed to assist students and are always either a positive value or zero. Therefore, a student's Selection Rank will either be equal to their ATAR (if no adjustments apply) or higher than their ATAR, but it cannot be lower.