Scaling, Simplified

When you get your HSC results, you’ll see two things: your raw exam mark (what you actually scored in the test) and your scaled mark (the mark adjusted by UAC before it’s used to calculate your ATAR). Scaling can feel confusing, but the idea is to make things fair for everyone, no matter which subjects they choose.

Not all subjects are equally hard or competitive. For example, in some courses most students may be high-achievers, while in others the average ability of the group is lower. If scaling didn’t exist, students who picked “easier” courses could have an unfair advantage over those who challenged themselves with “tougher” ones.

Here’s how scaling works: UAC looks at how well students in each subject performed across all their subjects, not just in one. If students in a particular subject also did really well in their other courses, that subject is considered more “competitive,” so the marks in that course are scaled up. On the flip side, if students in a subject generally performed lower in their other courses, the marks in that subject may be scaled down.

It’s important to know that scaling doesn’t punish or reward you for choosing a subject—it just puts everyone on the same playing field. The best advice? Choose subjects you enjoy and can do well in. Your effort and performance matter most, and scaling simply makes sure the ATAR compares students fairly, no matter what mix of subjects they studied.