What is an atar even, am I wrong in my assumptions?

[clidedescope]

So this whole system is ranking, right? Your atars are where you sit in comparison to everybody else who did year 12 that year, your study scores are too, etc etc etc.
But unless I'm missing something here, that means 50% of people who do VCE get an atar of less than 50. That means 30% of people get<30 and don't even see their actual atar.
And that just seems really weird to me? I don't think I've met one person who's gotten an atar of less than 50. I know people who did absolutely no study during VCE and managed to pull mid fifties, so surely it's not that difficult?
So basically, what I'm asking is if I'm under a misconception here. Is it really that only the top 30% of people get 70+, which is considered a decent atar? I feel like I'm on the completely wrong track, even though that seems to be correct.

[pi]

Ranking does not mean percentage

[chasej]

The way the ATAR system works is a little bit funny, the ATAR calculations don't just include yr 12 graduates of that year, but it ranks you against the people you started high school with (that is everyone in victoria that was in yr 7 when you were). Some people drop out meaning they fill the lower ATARs and those that pass VCE automatically end up in the top x% of the state just by passing. Hence the average ATAR among VCE grads isn't 50 and is higher than that as non-VCE grads fill the bottom ranks.

There's also some funny calculations they do which can further distort it. Generally speaking though in the 70+ range your ATAR corresponds with the percentage you "beat" in VCE.

[clidedescope]

The way the ATAR system works is a little bit funny, the ATAR calculations don't just include yr 12 graduates of that year, but it ranks you against the people you started high school with (that is everyone in victoria that was in yr 7 when you were). Some people drop out meaning they fill the lower ATARs and those that pass VCE automatically end up in the top x% of the state just by passing. Hence the average ATAR among VCE grads isn't 50 and is higher than that as non-VCE grads fill the bottom ranks.

There's also some funny calculations they do which can further distort it. Generally speaking though in the 70+ range your ATAR corresponds with the percentage you "beat" in VCE.

This definitely confirms my thoughts on how ridiculous the system is, aha. Still, it makes more sense now, thanks for clearing that up