Instructions to TeachersCareers Advisers

1. Instructions to Teachers/Careers Advisers The INTRODUCING THE ATAR PowerPoint presentation has been developed for Careers Advisers / teachers and is intended for a Year 12 audience. It is provided in two versions: 1) Slide presentation 2) Printable format with presentation notes. Print this version of the presentation by selecting �Notes Pages� and �Pure Black & White� options in your Print dialogue box. Use this version (slides 2-11) to print handouts.

3. Overview WHAT is the ATAR? WHAT is the difference between the UAI and the ATAR? WHEN will the ATAR be introduced? WHY the change? HOW will the change affect students? This presentation aims to provide an overview of the change from UAI to ATAR. It will answer questions about the nature of the changes (the WHAT questions) � WHEN and WHY the changes are being implemented � and HOW the changes will affect students.This presentation aims to provide an overview of the change from UAI to ATAR. It will answer questions about the nature of the changes (the WHAT questions) � WHEN and WHY the changes are being implemented � and HOW the changes will affect students.

4. WHAT is the ATAR? The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank a number between 0.00 and 99.95 (only ATARs above 30 will be reported) indicates your position relative to all students who entered Year 7 with you a rank, not a mark used by universities to rank applicants The change from UAI to ATAR incorporates three changes: 1. The university rank currently known as the UAI (Universities Admission Index) will now be known as the ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank). 2. The highest rank will now be an ATAR of 99.95, as opposed to a UAI of 100. If you achieve an ATAR of 99.95 in 2009, it is the same as previously achieving a UAI of 100 � you are in the top ranked group of students. As was previously the case with the UAI, only ATARs above 30 will be reported to students. 3. The ATAR will indicate a student�s position in relation to the Year 7 students with whom they began high school. There is no change to the purpose of the ATAR. It is important to re-emphasise that it is a RANK, not a mark � and that it is the main vehicle for selection of Year 12 students for university offers. The change from UAI to ATAR incorporates three changes: 1. The university rank currently known as the UAI (Universities Admission Index) will now be known as the ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank). 2. The highest rank will now be an ATAR of 99.95, as opposed to a UAI of 100. If you achieve an ATAR of 99.95 in 2009, it is the same as previously achieving a UAI of 100 � you are in the top ranked group of students. As was previously the case with the UAI, only ATARs above 30 will be reported to students. 3. The ATAR will indicate a student�s position in relation to the Year 7 students with whom they began high school. There is no change to the purpose of the ATAR. It is important to re-emphasise that it is a RANK, not a mark � and that it is the main vehicle for selection of Year 12 students for university offers.

5. WHAT is the difference? The changes relate to name, number and cohort. The NAME change will be the most visible change. The NUMBER given to the maximum rank will be changing. The highest rank will now be an ATAR of 99.95, as opposed to a UAI of 100. In NSW there are likely to be 45-50 students with an ATAR of 99.95, whereas in past years there have been only 18-23 with a UAI of 100. Previously, a UAI of 100 meant that you were in the top 0.025% of students, an ATAR of 99.95 means that you are in the top 0.05% of students. In the ACT, in place of one student with a top rank of 100, there will be 2-3 students with the top rank based on the ATAR. Most ATARs will be higher than the corresponding UAIs, for example a UAI of 91 will become an ATAR of 91.75. Whereas the UAI provided a ranking of students in relation to their School Certificate (Year 10) COHORT, the ATAR will rank students against their Year 7 cohort to take account of students who left school before completing Year 10. The changes relate to name, number and cohort. The NAME change will be the most visible change. The NUMBER given to the maximum rank will be changing. The highest rank will now be an ATAR of 99.95, as opposed to a UAI of 100. In NSW there are likely to be 45-50 students with an ATAR of 99.95, whereas in past years there have been only 18-23 with a UAI of 100. Previously, a UAI of 100 meant that you were in the top 0.025% of students, an ATAR of 99.95 means that you are in the top 0.05% of students. In the ACT, in place of one student with a top rank of 100, there will be 2-3 students with the top rank based on the ATAR. Most ATARs will be higher than the corresponding UAIs, for example a UAI of 91 will become an ATAR of 91.75. Whereas the UAI provided a ranking of students in relation to their School Certificate (Year 10) COHORT, the ATAR will rank students against their Year 7 cohort to take account of students who left school before completing Year 10.

6. WHEN will the ATAR be introduced? 2009 for NSW and ACT students 2009/2010 transition in WA 2010 for students in other states and territories (except Qld) In 2009, NSW and ACT students who would have been eligible for a UAI will now receive an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank. Western Australia is phasing in the name change � in 2009 using TER (ATAR) and in 2010 using ATAR. Other states and territories (except Queensland) will change to the name ATAR in 2010. In 2009, NSW and ACT students who would have been eligible for a UAI will now receive an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank. Western Australia is phasing in the name change � in 2009 using TER (ATAR) and in 2010 using ATAR. Other states and territories (except Queensland) will change to the name ATAR in 2010.

7. WHY the change? National consistency - common name - equivalence of top rank (99.95) (Qld retains OP ranks � conversion table in UAC Guide) Foreshadowing 2011 change to NSW school leaving age The changes are designed to achieve national consistency in the name and reporting of the university selection index. In most states this means just a change in name, but for NSW and the ACT it includes a change in the number given to the top ranked group of students as well. The new top rank of 99.95 will bring NSW and ACT students into line with their interstate peers who already have a top rank of 99.95. The Australasian Conference of Tertiary Admissions Centres (ACTAC) decided to adopt this common name for existing ranks across all states and territories (except Queensland) to highlight that student ranks are reported on a common scale. This means, for example, that a rank of 70.00 in NSW and the ACT is considered equal to a rank of 70.00 in Victoria � the use of a common name will emphasise this equivalence of interstate ranks. The minimum school leaving age in NSW is being raised from 15 to 17 years in 2011. When this happens all students will complete Year 10, which will produce a small shift in the distribution of ranks. Rather than make these changes at different times and in a piecemeal fashion, it was decided to introduce all three changes now as the UAI is replaced by the ATAR.The changes are designed to achieve national consistency in the name and reporting of the university selection index. In most states this means just a change in name, but for NSW and the ACT it includes a change in the number given to the top ranked group of students as well. The new top rank of 99.95 will bring NSW and ACT students into line with their interstate peers who already have a top rank of 99.95. The Australasian Conference of Tertiary Admissions Centres (ACTAC) decided to adopt this common name for existing ranks across all states and territories (except Queensland) to highlight that student ranks are reported on a common scale. This means, for example, that a rank of 70.00 in NSW and the ACT is considered equal to a rank of 70.00 in Victoria � the use of a common name will emphasise this equivalence of interstate ranks. The minimum school leaving age in NSW is being raised from 15 to 17 years in 2011. When this happens all students will complete Year 10, which will produce a small shift in the distribution of ranks. Rather than make these changes at different times and in a piecemeal fashion, it was decided to introduce all three changes now as the UAI is replaced by the ATAR.

8. HOW will the change affect students? Year 12 students should not be concerned as these changes will have little effect. The scaling process will be the same, the rank order of students will be the same, and the same applicants will be selected for the same courses. Any small change in an ATAR compared to a UAI will see an equivalent change in the course cut-off. The same students will receive entry to the same university courses under the ATAR as they would have under the UAI. An analogy � The change in reporting student ranks via the ATAR rather than the UAI can be compared to the change in temperature scales; where once we recorded temperatures in degrees Fahrenheit, we now record them as degrees Celsius. The actual temperature has not changed, just the name and scale have been changed. Year 12 students should not be concerned as these changes will have little effect. The scaling process will be the same, the rank order of students will be the same, and the same applicants will be selected for the same courses. Any small change in an ATAR compared to a UAI will see an equivalent change in the course cut-off. The same students will receive entry to the same university courses under the ATAR as they would have under the UAI. An analogy � The change in reporting student ranks via the ATAR rather than the UAI can be compared to the change in temperature scales; where once we recorded temperatures in degrees Fahrenheit, we now record them as degrees Celsius. The actual temperature has not changed, just the name and scale have been changed.

9. � and reinforcing the message that there is no need for concern � The changes will have no effect on NSW and ACT students� potential for acceptance into their preferred university courses. The scaling process will be the same, the rank order of students will be the same, and the same applicants will be selected for the same courses. The changes will not affect university courses. Any small change in an ATAR compared to a UAI will see an equivalent change in the course cut-off. The same students who would have received offers with their UAIs will receive offers with their ATARs. Every year course cut-offs vary as a result of supply and demand and other factors. This year will be no different. � and reinforcing the message that there is no need for concern � The changes will have no effect on NSW and ACT students� potential for acceptance into their preferred university courses. The scaling process will be the same, the rank order of students will be the same, and the same applicants will be selected for the same courses. The changes will not affect university courses. Any small change in an ATAR compared to a UAI will see an equivalent change in the course cut-off. The same students who would have received offers with their UAIs will receive offers with their ATARs. Every year course cut-offs vary as a result of supply and demand and other factors. This year will be no different.

10. Questions 1. Some university prospectuses and guide books still list UAIs. Does that mean those unis will use UAIs? No 2. Will this make it easier for me to get into a course interstate? No 3. How do these changes affect Year 10 and Year 11 students? There is no effect No, all universities will offer courses based on ATARs. Although some universities have pre-printed publications listing UAIs, the UAC 2010 Guide, the definitive reference for students seeking university entry, will have comprehensive information about the ATAR, along with a UAI to ATAR conversion table and a list of ATAR cut-offs in the table of courses. Schools give every student a free copy of the Guide in late July. This won�t change your ability to gain entry interstate, as the equivalence between interstate ranks (except Queensland) has not changed. For all practical purposes there is no effect. These changes will not affect Year 10 and Year 11 students choosing their subjects. The scaling process has not changed and the advice to students is the same as it has always been � choose subjects that you are good at, that you are interested in and that will be useful for your future plans. It is a myth that choosing particular subjects will maximise your university selection rank. No, all universities will offer courses based on ATARs. Although some universities have pre-printed publications listing UAIs, the UAC 2010 Guide, the definitive reference for students seeking university entry, will have comprehensive information about the ATAR, along with a UAI to ATAR conversion table and a list of ATAR cut-offs in the table of courses. Schools give every student a free copy of the Guide in late July. This won�t change your ability to gain entry interstate, as the equivalence between interstate ranks (except Queensland) has not changed. For all practical purposes there is no effect. These changes will not affect Year 10 and Year 11 students choosing their subjects. The scaling process has not changed and the advice to students is the same as it has always been � choose subjects that you are good at, that you are interested in and that will be useful for your future plans. It is a myth that choosing particular subjects will maximise your university selection rank.

11. 4. I see from the conversion table that a small number of ATARs will be lower than the UAI, but some will be higher. If the ATAR I get is lower than the UAI, but other students get a higher ATAR compared to the UAI, isn�t that unfair? No 5. How will I know what ATAR I need to get into a course? UAC website and UAC 2010 Guide An ATAR (like a UAI) is simply a ranking of all students, so whether your ATAR is slightly higher or slightly lower than the equivalent UAI will have no impact on what university course you get into. The scaling process will be the same. The rank order of students will be the same. And the same applicants will be selected for the same courses. Any small change in an ATAR compared to a UAI will see an equivalent change in the course cut-off. 5. Tables comparing UAIs and ATARs are available on UAC�s website, and the table of courses in the UAC 2010 Guide will include ATAR cut-offs for every course. Remember that every year course cut-offs vary as a result of supply and demand and other factors. This year will be no different. The same students who would have received offers with their UAIs will receive offers with their ATARs. An ATAR (like a UAI) is simply a ranking of all students, so whether your ATAR is slightly higher or slightly lower than the equivalent UAI will have no impact on what university course you get into. The scaling process will be the same. The rank order of students will be the same. And the same applicants will be selected for the same courses. Any small change in an ATAR compared to a UAI will see an equivalent change in the course cut-off. 5. Tables comparing UAIs and ATARs are available on UAC�s website, and the table of courses in the UAC 2010 Guide will include ATAR cut-offs for every course. Remember that every year course cut-offs vary as a result of supply and demand and other factors. This year will be no different. The same students who would have received offers with their UAIs will receive offers with their ATARs.

12. 6. Where can I get more information? There is lots of information available on UAC�s website at www.uac.edu.au and in the UAC 2010 Guide (available late July 2009) or you can call UAC on 02 9752 0200 6. Any questions you might have will be answered in the written information and tables on the UAC website, and in the 2010 Guide which will be distributed to all Year 12 students in late July. You can also call UAC Customer Service on 02 9752 0200.6. Any questions you might have will be answered in the written information and tables on the UAC website, and in the 2010 Guide which will be distributed to all Year 12 students in late July. You can also call UAC Customer Service on 02 9752 0200.