HSC marks report a student's achievement in individual courses. The ATAR reports their overall position relative to other students and is used in university admissions. NESA provides HSC results, while UAC calculates the NSW ATAR. UAC's explanation of HSC marks and ATAR
Because the numbers measure different things, an HSC mark of 85 and an ATAR of 85.00 have different meanings. Averaging the marks on an HSC results statement will not give you the ATAR.
What each result tells you
| Result | What it tells you | Who provides it |
|---|---|---|
| HSC course result | Achievement in a particular course against its standards | NESA |
| ATAR | Overall relative position, using results across eligible courses | UAC |
The ATAR compares students with the NSW age cohort, including those who do not finish Year 12. An ATAR of 80.00 indicates a position 20 per cent from the top of that age group. It does not mean the student answered 80 per cent of their exam questions correctly. UAC: what is the ATAR?
When discussing results with your child, you can recognise their achievement in a subject and then consider what their ATAR means for university applications.
How the HSC mark is calculated
For courses such as Economics, English Advanced and Mathematics Advanced, the HSC examination mark and moderated school assessment mark each contribute half of the HSC mark. NESA: understanding your results
The school assessment mark reflects work across the course. Because schools set and mark different tasks, NESA adjusts the marks they submit through a process called moderation.
For the examination mark, NESA aligns raw exam performance with the course's achievement standards. The reported mark is therefore not simply the raw percentage scored on the paper. NESA: determining HSC results
Once those processes are complete, the two components are combined. For example:
| Reported component | Example mark |
|---|---|
| HSC examination mark | 88 |
| Moderated assessment mark | 84 |
| HSC mark, using their equal average | 86 |
This example uses the reported components after alignment and moderation. Taking the same average of a trial-exam percentage and a school report mark would not predict the final HSC result.
What moderation and scaling mean
Moderation makes school assessment marks comparable across schools within the same course. NESA uses each school group's HSC examination performance to adjust its assessment marks, while preserving the school assessment rank order. A student's rank in the exam may differ from their assessment rank at school. NESA assessment moderation
Scaling allows UAC to compare results across different courses for the ATAR. Students take different combinations of subjects, so adding the HSC marks shown on their results statements would not provide that comparison.
NESA and UAC use raw HSC marks in separate processes. NESA reports achievement against course standards; UAC scales marks and calculates the ATAR. The reported performance band does not determine the scaled mark. UAC's ATAR FAQs
Before comparing two numbers, check what each represents. A raw assessment score, a reported HSC mark and a scaled mark measure different things.
Which results count towards the ATAR?
UAC calculates the NSW ATAR from an aggregate of scaled marks across ten units:
- The best two units of English.
- The best eight units from the remaining eligible units.
UAC selects the units by their scaled marks. If a student takes more than ten units, the course with the lowest displayed HSC mark is not necessarily the one left out. UAC: how your ATAR is calculated
Students must also meet the eligibility requirements. UAC requires satisfactory completion of at least ten units of HSC Board Developed courses, including two units of English, three courses of two units or greater, and four subject areas. UAC ATAR eligibility
Courses and subject areas are different: Advanced and Extension maths are separate courses within the mathematics subject area. Ask the school to check the full pattern of study before your child drops or changes a course.
How subject choice affects the result
Studying a particular subject does not guarantee a higher ATAR. Scaling takes account of the performance of the students in the course, and each student's own performance still matters. UAC explains this in its scaling guidance.
When choosing subjects, consider what your child enjoys, what they can learn well and what they need for future study. Our Maths Advanced versus Extension 1 guide includes questions to help with that decision.
ATAR forecasts can inform a discussion, but their results remain estimates even when displayed to two decimal places.
How a selection rank differs from the ATAR
A university may use a selection rank that includes adjustments for a particular course preference. Those adjustments affect the rank used to select students for that course; they do not change the student's ATAR. UAC selection-rank adjustments
When checking an entry requirement, find out whether the published number is an ATAR or a selection rank. Read the prerequisites and any other selection requirements on the current course page. A previous entry figure can help you frame questions for the institution, but the current information should guide the application.
Glossary
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Raw mark | The mark before the relevant adjustment or reporting process |
| Examination mark | Reported achievement in the external HSC exam |
| Moderated assessment mark | The school's assessment mark after NESA's moderation process |
| HSC mark | The combined course result described above |
| Scaled mark | The mark UAC uses to compare results across courses when calculating the ATAR |
| ATAR | A student's overall relative rank |
| Selection rank | The rank considered for a course, including applicable adjustments |
When results arrive
Start with your child's plans and whether they still want to apply for the courses they had in mind. Then look through the results and entry information together:
- Which subject results are they pleased with?
- Are all completed courses recorded as expected?
- Does the preferred university course list an ATAR, a selection rank or other criteria?
- Which prerequisites or adjustment schemes need checking?
- What application steps and deadlines come next?
If a result is unexpected, identify the component you need explained, then contact the school, NESA or UAC as appropriate. While your child is still preparing for exams, a study timetable can help them schedule practice and act on feedback.