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SACE ATAR Calculator — Estimate your ATAR from your SACE results.

Turn your SACE subject results into an estimated ATAR. Built on SATAC's scaling for South Australia. No signup, instant results. Prefer the SA ATAR Calculator? →

Using SATAC scaling · aggregate out of 90 · ~14,000-student cohort
Subjects:0 / 5

Add your Stage 2 subjects and results, including Research Project B. We scale your best 90 credits into an aggregate. All maths runs in your browser — nothing is saved.

About this SA ATAR calculator

This tool estimates your SA ATAR. It uses SATAC's scaling model. SACE works in a clear way. Each Stage 2 subject gives you a scaled score out of 20. SATAC adds your best 90 credits of these scores. That is about four and a half subjects. The total is your university aggregate, out of 90. We turn it into an ATAR. For the full method, see our methodology page.

Only Stage 2 results count towards your ATAR. Stage 1 still matters for finishing your SACE. You also need Research Project B. It is worth 10 credits and is compulsory. It can count in the flexible part of your aggregate. So add it when you use this tool.

Some subjects scale up. Others scale down. This depends on who else takes them, not how hard they feel. Strong groups pull a subject up. Got your estimate? The section above shows SA universities. Note that the University of Adelaide and UniSA merged into Adelaide University in 2026. Each course lists a guide cutoff.

SATAC sets your real ATAR. It arrives in mid to late December. This estimate gets you close. It cannot be exact yet. Scaling depends on this year's students. That data does not exist until results day. Use this to plan and aim.

The SACE Board sets your subject grades and SATAC issues the official SACE ATAR after scaling.

SA ATAR — common questions

How is the ATAR calculated in SA?

You get a result in each subject. SATAC scales each result against the state. Your best results are added into a university aggregate. That total is ranked against every student. Your place in that line becomes your ATAR. The ATAR runs from 0 to 99.95.

What is the university aggregate in SACE?

It is your score out of 90. SATAC adds the scaled scores from your best 90 credits. That is about four and a half subjects. The aggregate is ranked to give your ATAR.

Why is my ATAR lower than my marks?

Your ATAR is a rank, not a mark. It shows where you placed against everyone else. Marks show what you scored. The two are not the same. Your marks are also scaled before ranking. So a high average can still give a lower ATAR. This is normal and happens to most students.

How accurate is this calculator before results day?

It uses the real method and the latest scaling data. Most estimates land within a few ATAR points. It cannot be exact yet. This year's scaling is not set until results come out. Use it as a guide, not a promise.

Which subjects scale up the most in SA?

Maths scales best in SA. Specialist Maths and Methods are the top two. Physics, Chemistry and languages also scale well. English Literary Studies is the best English subject. A subject scales up when its students are strong across all subjects. But scaling only helps if you do well in that subject.

Does picking high-scaling subjects guarantee a high ATAR?

No. This is the biggest myth about the ATAR. Scaling only helps if you score well. A high mark in a subject you love beats a low mark in a 'high-scaling' one. Pick subjects you can do well in.

What's a good ATAR?

There is no single good number. It depends on the course you want. The middle ATAR is near 70. Above 80 puts you in the top fifth. Above 90 puts you in the top tenth. A good ATAR is one that gets you in.

Can I get into uni with a low ATAR?

Yes. Many courses take ATARs in the 60s and 70s. Bonus points can lift you higher. There are also paths that skip the ATAR. These include TAFE, diplomas, bridging courses and portfolios. A low ATAR is one door, not the only one.

How many subjects do I need for a SACE ATAR?

You need at least 90 credits at Stage 2. That is usually four 20-credit subjects plus part of a fifth. At least 60 credits must come from full 20-credit subjects.

Does the Research Project count towards my ATAR?

Yes. Research Project B is worth 10 credits. It is compulsory for your SACE. It can count in the flexible part of your aggregate.

Do Stage 1 subjects count towards my ATAR?

No. Only Stage 2 results count towards your ATAR. Stage 1 still matters. You need it to finish your SACE.

How do bonus points and adjustment factors work?

Bonus points do not change your ATAR. They change your selection rank for a course. You might earn them for your area, your school, or hardship. They can lift your effective rank by 5 to 10 points. Each university sets its own scheme.

What is the highest ATAR? Why not 100?

The top ATAR is 99.95, not 100. The ATAR is a rank in steps of 0.05. To score 100 you would need to beat everyone, including yourself. So 99.95 is the top. It means you are in the top 0.05%.

Is the University of Adelaide and UniSA merger real?

Yes. The two merged into Adelaide University. It opened in January 2026. Your SACE results and ATAR still work the same way. Cutoffs here are a guide only.

What is scaling and why does it happen?

Scaling makes subjects fair to compare. Each subject has a different group of students. SATAC looks at how that group does across all their subjects. A strong group scales the subject up. A weaker group scales it down. It is about the group, not how hard the subject feels.

Why do different ATAR calculators give different numbers?

Each calculator models scaling in its own way. The exact scaling data is not fully public. So small gaps between tools are normal. Treat every estimate as a guide. Your real ATAR comes only on results day.

What's the difference between my ATAR and my subject marks?

Your marks are scores in each subject. Your ATAR is one rank for all of them together. Marks can sit out of 100. The ATAR runs from 0 to 99.95. One is what you got. The other is where you placed.

Should I enter my predicted or real marks?

Either works in this tool. Before results day, use your best honest guess. Base it on your recent tasks and trials. Do not enter your dream score. The estimate is only as good as the marks you put in.

Does dropping or failing a subject hurt my ATAR?

Only your best subjects count, so dropping one is often fine. You just need enough subjects left. A failed subject can count as a low or zero score. It hurts most when it is one of your counted subjects.

Is my ATAR the same across Australia?

Yes. The ATAR is national. An 85 in one state equals an 85 in another. You can use it to apply anywhere in Australia. You can also use it years later if you take a break.

Can my ATAR change after I receive it?

No. Your ATAR is set once your results are final. It will not go up or down later. You can ask for a check of your marks. The rank itself stays fixed for that year.

When do SA ATAR results come out?

SATAC releases SA ATARs in mid to late December. You get yours after your SACE results. SATAC shares the exact date in advance.

Where do I get my real SA ATAR?

Your real ATAR comes from SATAC. You view it online in your SATAC account. Your school and the SATAC website show you how to log in.

Why is my friend’s ATAR higher with similar marks?

Subject mix and scaling explain most of the gap. Your friend may take subjects that scaled higher. Or they placed higher within their groups. Near the top, a small mark gap can mean a bigger rank gap. Focus on your own results.

Does this calculator save my marks?

No. All the maths runs in your browser. Nothing is sent to a server. Close the tab and your marks are gone. We cannot see them, store them, or share them.

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