The UAI has become the ATAR
The Universities Admissions Centre announced on June 10, 2009 that the Universities Admissions Index (UAI) has been replaced by the Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR).
What does this mean?
Beginning in 2009, all NSW and ACT students completing an Australian year 12 qualification will receive their university entrance rank as an ATAR.
As the name suggests, ATAR will be used nationally. NSW and the ACT are the first to begin using ATAR and other states (with the exception of Queensland) will adopt it in 2010.
There are two key changes to the renaming of the UAI. They are:
- the name change itself. The university ranking system previously known as the UAI is now ATAR.
- the top rank will now be reported as an ATAR of 99.95.
What are the advantages of ATAR?
Interstate ranks have been used as equivalents in the past. For example, UAI of 81=TER of 81=ENTER of 81. By adopting a common name, it makes it clear that your rank is reported on a common scale.
The top rank will now be an ATAR of 99.95 instead of a UAI of 100. This brings NSW and ACT students in line with their interstate peers. Students studying the International Baccalaureate will now also be eligible to receive the top rank.
Will the change disadvantage current year 12 students?
Absolutely not. The Universities Admission Centre (UAC) has confirmed that:
- the rules for the ATAR are exactly the same as for the UAI
- marks will be scaled the same way so the rank order of students will not change
- the same applicants will be selected for the same courses, as the change to ATAR will see an equivalent change in course cut-offs.
Where can I find out more?
Check out our full list of 2009 University of Sydney course cut-offs converted form UAI to ATAR.
Keep in mind that the previous year’s course cut-offs are provided only as a guide. The ATAR required for 2010 entry will vary the same as UAI cut-offs have in the past. The UAC 2010 Guide will also include a brief conversion table along with course cut-off converted to ATAR.
For more information about the technical side of the UAI to ATAR changes, full details are available from the UAC website
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