ATAR Eligibility and Prerequisites 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which students are generally NOT eligible to receive an ATAR?
- Students who completed Year 12 in a previous year
- Students who studied fewer than the required number of units (Correct answer)
- International students studying in Australia on a student visa
- Students who took a gap year before applying
Correct answer: Students who studied fewer than the required number of units
Students must complete the minimum required number of Board-developed units to qualify for an ATAR.
Question 2: In most Australian states, what is the minimum number of units typically required to be eligible for an ATAR?
- 8 units
- 10 units (Correct answer)
- 12 units
- 6 units
Correct answer: 10 units
Most states require students to complete at least 10 units of Board-developed courses to be eligible for an ATAR.
Question 3: A student who completed their Year 12 studies three years ago wants to use their results for university admission. What is the typical maximum age of results accepted for ATAR purposes?
- 1 year
- 2 years (Correct answer)
- 3 years
- 5 years
Correct answer: 2 years
ATAR results are generally valid for two years for university admission purposes in most Australian states.
Question 4: Which of the following best describes a 'Board-developed course' in the context of ATAR eligibility?
- Any course approved by the school principal
- A course with a curriculum designed and assessed by the state education authority (Correct answer)
- An elective chosen by the student independently
- A course offered only at selective schools
Correct answer: A course with a curriculum designed and assessed by the state education authority
Board-developed courses are those with curriculum and assessment frameworks set by the state's education authority, which count toward ATAR eligibility.
Question 5: A student with a disability requests special provisions during their HSC exams. How does this affect their ATAR eligibility?
- They become ineligible for an ATAR
- Their ATAR is calculated with a penalty applied
- Approved special provisions do not affect ATAR eligibility or calculation (Correct answer)
- They must apply separately to each university for consideration
Correct answer: Approved special provisions do not affect ATAR eligibility or calculation
Approved special provisions allow students with disabilities to access the same ATAR eligibility and calculation process as other students.
Question 6: What happens to a student's ATAR eligibility if they are found to have committed academic misconduct during their final exams?
- Their ATAR is reduced by 10 points
- They may be disqualified from receiving an ATAR (Correct answer)
- Their results in all subjects are annulled
- Only the affected subject score is removed
Correct answer: They may be disqualified from receiving an ATAR
Academic misconduct such as cheating can result in disqualification from receiving an ATAR in most Australian states.
Question 7: Can a student who completed an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma in Australia receive an ATAR?
- No, IB results are never converted to an ATAR
- Yes, IB results can be converted to an ATAR equivalent in most states (Correct answer)
- Only if they also completed at least three VCE or HSC subjects
- Only if they attended an Australian government school
Correct answer: Yes, IB results can be converted to an ATAR equivalent in most states
Most Australian states have mechanisms to convert IB Diploma results into an ATAR equivalent for university admission purposes.
ATAR Eligibility and Prerequisites 2
Which students are generally NOT eligible to receive an ATAR?