Busting the myths on HSC results and ATARs

Open accessibility guideSkip to sections navigationSkip to contentSkip to footerThe Sydney Morning Herald logoIt’s true – there are ways to maximise your HSC results and Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR). But it’s not what you’ve heard – the “secrets” you took to be facts are most likely myths and the simple truths are just too basic to believe.The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), which is responsible for the HSC, and the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC), in charge of the ATAR, are back to lift the curtain on some of the most pervasive myths still circulating the school yard.Just about any combination of courses can lead to a good ATAR; it all depends on how well you’ve done in all your courses compared with other students. Janie BarrettUAC’s research and statistics manager Dr Helen Tam said misinformation about maximising your ATAR is rife.Do courses you enjoy: there’s more than 35,000 course combinations that students choose.Janie Barrett Photo: Photo: Janie Barrett“The confusion starts with the difference between the role and purpose of the HSC and the ATAR. The two are referenced interchangeably when they serve different purposes,” Tam said.“The HSC is a credential and the highest level of attainment that secondary school students can achieve in NSW. The HSC mark for each course, which is calculated by NESA, shows your performance in the exam and assessments for that course. The HSC mark reflects the standard you achieved.“The ATAR, calculated by UAC, shows your position or ranking compared to other students in NSW and takes into account your achievement in the best 10 units of your HSC courses. Its only purpose is to help universities select applicants for their courses.”NESA chief executive Paul Martin said myths remain despite students proving them wrong again and again.“Every year we see young people achieve top results studying a range of different courses – and there’s more than 35,000 course combinations that students choose,” he said.“In this year’s HSC Study Guide for example, we have three incredible young graduates who studied Dance for their HSC and went on to achieve strong HSC results and high ATARs.”Success story: Dance students Makayla Lawrence, Yuuki Hiwatashi and Julia Bickell.Steven SiewertThe overarching advice for students thinking about subject selection is to throw away the game book. Think about the subjects you like, the ones you are good at and what you want to do post-school – and do what you can to achieve your best result in each course.Your HSC mark will reflect your performance in that course – and if you perform strongly in all your courses, you will achieve a high ATAR.Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.