From 2020, the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) will replace the Overall Position (OP) as the standard pathway to tertiary study for Year 12 students in Queensland.
The ATAR is a finer grained rank order of students than the OP. It is a number between 0.00 and 99.95 with increments of 0.05, whereas the OP consists of 25 bands. The ATAR is commonly used in other states and territories.
The Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) will be responsible for calculating students' ATARs. QTAC will calculate ATARs based on either:
- a student's best 5 General subject results, or
- a student's best results in a combination of 4 General subject results, plus 1 Applied subject result or completed VET qualification at Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Certificate III level or above.
General subjects are suited to students who are interested in pathways beyond senior secondary schooling that lead to tertiary studies and to pathways for vocational education and training and work. They include Extension subjects.
Results in General subjects contribute to the award of a QCE and may contribute to an ATAR.
General syllabuses are underpinned by 21st century skills.
General Subjects:
Biology
Business
Chemistry
Design
Drama
English
Film, Television and New Media
General Mathematics
Geography
Japanese
Mathematical Methods
Modern History
Music
Physics
Physical Education
Psychology
Specialist Mathematics
Study of Religion
Applied Subjects:
Essential English
Essential Mathematics
Religion and Ethics
Certificate Courses:
Certificate III in Christian Ministry and Theology
Click here to view the Senior Subject Guide 2019/2020