Is ATAR a percentage?

[casbanjo]

I always thought that atar was a percentage of people you did better than, but is this true? What percentage of VCE students get a 80, 90, 95 atar etc?

[paulsterio]

It's not a percentage, it's a percentile, which is what you described.

[Professor Polonsky]

It is a percentile. However, to my knowledge, anyone who has been enrolled in a secondary school is included - which is why the median ATAR for VCE students is something like 67 (not sure on the exact figure).

[Lasercookie]

However, to my knowledge, anyone who has been enrolled in a secondary school is included

Nope.

http://www.vtac.edu.au/results-offers/y12-atar.html

VTAC calculates an ATAR for all VCE students who have successfully completed the VCE and satisfied minimum tertiary entrance requirements. Only applicants who have at least four VCE study scores in an acceptable combination will have an ATAR calculated.

[Professor Polonsky]

Doesn't contradict what I said. They don't have an ATAR given (and calculated) for them specifically, but I assume they're placed in the bottom of the pile.

Otherwise, someone with four (scaled) scores of 30 would have an aggregate of 120, which corresponds to an ATAR of 64.65. An ATAR of 50 is an aggregate of 102 or so. Seeing that the median study score is 30, that doesn't really make sense.

Also, see this thread in which it is repeatedly said that the median ATAR is in the 60's.

[Lasercookie]

Doesn't contradict what I said. They don't have an ATAR given (and calculated) for them specifically, but I assume they're placed in the bottom of the pile.

Hmm okay. I found a HSC thing that says pretty much what you're saying - http://www.uac.edu.au/documents/schoolink/podcast/June%202012%20UAC%20sessions.ppt so I'm inclined to believe you that VTAC would do the same.

[paulsterio]

He's right laseredd, it includes students who did not complete year 12 as well - they're placed at the bottom of the pile.

[Special At Specialist]

I always assumed that the bottom 30% of people either did VCAL or got a year 12 pass and not any scores, but I could be wrong.

A 93 ATAR would place you in about the top 10% of VCE students.

[casbanjo]

Thanks everyone. This is a load off my shoulders, my friends said the 90 atar was top 4%. Thank god that's not true.

[paulsterio]

Just cause it's top 10% doesn't mean you'll have to work any less

Remember, it's about doing as well as you can, not doggedly trying to get a particular number.

[casbanjo]

Just cause it's top 10% doesn't mean you'll have to work any less

Remember, it's about doing as well as you can, not doggedly trying to get a particular number.

Yes this is true, however I feel more confident with a top 10% goal than a top 4% goal