Year 12 study planning

How to Aim for a 99 ATAR

An ATAR of 99.00 places you about one per cent from the top of the relevant age cohort. The scaled results needed to reach that rank depend on your state, subjects and year. Use a historical scenario to set a study target, then track progress against the assessment criteria for each course.

Start with the rules for your subjects

Check which of your results can contribute in the state-by-state ATAR guide. In Victoria, VTAC counts the highest English-group score, the next three eligible scaled scores and eligible increments from up to two more studies. Your school can help you check subject combinations. VTAC aggregation rules.

In Victoria in 2025, the published lower aggregate for a 99.00 ATAR was 192.10. This was one cohort’s threshold. The reverse VCE calculator lets you explore a combination using the published 2025 score points. VTAC 2025 aggregate table (PDF).

For NSW and Queensland, use the HSC guide to UAC ATAR Compass or QCE guide to QTAC ATAR Navigator. Each uses its own rules and inputs.

Make a plan you can test

Complete a timed paper in each subject and mark it with the board’s guide or report. Record which question types cost the most marks.
Rework one weak topic at a time and ask your teacher to check one revised response against the marking criteria.
Repeat with a different paper and compare the same question types. Adjust your revision time using what changed.

Find the papers and reports in the official exam paper index and schedule each run around your exam timetable.

Check the selection rank for your courses

Look up course prerequisites and entry pathways alongside your ATAR target. Eligible adjustment factors may affect the rank a university uses for a particular course.