SACE ATAR Calculator
Stage 2 Subject
Credits
Raw Score
ESTIMATED SACE ATAR
91.40 ATAR
Aggregate: 71.8 / 90.0
Counted: 90 Credits
Average: ~16.0 / 20
🎓 University of Adelaide / Flinders / UniSA High Achiever Standing
Stage 2 Scaled Contributions (out of 20):
Calculated across 90 Stage 2 credits according to official SATAC scaling guidelines.
Generates a clean single-page South Australian ATAR assessment summary.
Official SATAC SACE Aggregate & ATAR Benchmarks
- Aggregate 85.0+: Equivalent to 99.00+ ATAR (Top 1% of SA/NT cohort)
- Aggregate 78.0+: Equivalent to 95.00+ ATAR (Top 5% of SA/NT cohort)
- Aggregate 70.0+: Equivalent to 90.00+ ATAR (High Achiever benchmark)
- Aggregate 60.0+: Equivalent to 80.00+ ATAR (Selective course cutoff)
- Aggregate 50.0+: Equivalent to 70.00+ ATAR (Standard university admission)
What is an ATAR in South Australia and How is It Calculated?
The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) in South Australia and the Northern Territory is calculated and issued by the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC) on behalf of participating universities (University of Adelaide, Flinders University, and UniSA).
Your ATAR is derived from a university aggregate calculated out of 90.0, based on your best 90 credits of Stage 2 Tertiary Admissions Subjects (TAS).
How to Use the South Australia SACE ATAR Calculator (Step-by-Step)
Follow these simple steps to calculate your SATAC aggregate and project your SACE ATAR:
- Select Calculation Mode: Model your complete 90-credit Stage 2 portfolio, convert an individual raw score into its scaled equivalent, or work backward from a target ATAR goal.
- Enter Your Stage 2 Subjects: Select four 20-credit subjects (80 credits) plus an eligible 10-credit subject (such as Research Project B, or half of a fifth subject).
- Input Your Raw Scores (0 – 20.0): Enter your combined school assessment and external examination mark out of 20.0 (or out of 10.0 for 10-credit courses).
- Toggle SATAC Scaling & Equity Points: Apply official scaling offsets and check the Universities Equity Scheme toggle if eligible for socio-economic or school adjustments (+4.0 aggregate points).
- Inspect Your Standing: Review your total aggregate out of 90.0, copy results formatted for Discord/Reddit, or download an aesthetic story card.
The 90-Credit Rule: How SATAC Combines Stage 2 Subjects
To be eligible for an ATAR in South Australia, students must fulfill strict credit combination rules:
- 90 Credits Required: You must present at least 90 credits of Stage 2 Tertiary Admissions Subjects.
- Three 20-Credit Subjects (60 credits): Must be completed from approved TAS courses.
- Flexible 30 Credits: The remaining 30 credits can consist of a fourth 20-credit subject plus a 10-credit subject (such as Research Project B), or two 10-credit subjects.
- SACE Completion: You must successfully complete the requirements to be awarded the SACE certificate (200 total SACE credits across Stage 1 and Stage 2).
Raw SACE Scores vs. SATAC Scaled Scores: How Scaling Works
Your school and the SACE Board determine raw subject grades (A+ to E-). SATAC converts and scales these marks before summing your aggregate:
High Scaling Advanced Mathematics & Sciences
Subjects like Specialist Mathematics, Mathematical Methods, Chemistry, and Languages scale upward because their student cohorts demonstrate high average academic achievement across all their studies.
General & Vocational Courses
Subjects like General Mathematics, Business Innovation, and Physical Education experience minor downward adjustments at the median, requiring higher raw achievement for top percentiles.
South Australia SATAC Aggregate (out of 90) to ATAR Conversion Table
| SACE Aggregate | Estimated ATAR | Typical University Standing |
|---|---|---|
| 85.0 – 90.0 | 99.00 – 99.95 | Adelaide Medicine, Law, Chancellor's Scholars & Elite Double Degrees |
| 78.0 – 84.9 | 95.00 – 98.95 | Adelaide / Flinders Engineering Honours, Physiotherapy, Dentistry |
| 70.0 – 77.9 | 90.00 – 94.95 | Competitive Science, Psychology, Commerce, Architecture |
| 60.0 – 69.9 | 80.00 – 89.95 | UniSA Business, Flinders Health, Adelaide Arts / IT |
| 50.0 – 59.9 | 70.00 – 79.95 | UniSA, Flinders General Degree & Gateway Programs |
SACE Stage 2 Scaling Benchmarks Reference Table
| SACE Subject | Typical Scaling Trajectory |
|---|---|
| Specialist Mathematics (20C) | Scales UP heavily (+1.8 to +2.4 pts at 16/20) |
| Languages / LOTE (20C) | Scales UP heavily (+1.2 to +1.8 pts) |
| Mathematical Methods (20C) | Scales UP (+0.8 to +1.2 pts at 16/20) |
| Chemistry & Physics (20C) | Scales UP (+0.5 to +1.0 pts at 16/20) |
| English Literary Studies (20C) | Scales UP (+0.4 to +0.8 pts at 16/20) |
| Research Project B (10C) | Scales neutral (~0 to +0.2 pts out of 10) |
| General Mathematics (20C) | Scales DOWN (-0.6 to -1.0 pts at 16/20) |
| Business Innovation & PE (20C) | Scales DOWN (-0.8 to -1.4 pts at 16/20) |
Frequently Asked Questions (South Australia SACE ATAR)
How is the ATAR calculated in South Australia by SATAC?
The South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC) calculates your university aggregate out of 90.0 based on your best 90 credits of Stage 2 Tertiary Admissions Subjects (TAS). This typically includes four 20-credit full-year subjects (80 credits) plus an eligible 10-credit subject (such as Research Project B, or half of a fifth subject). SATAC converts this aggregate into an ATAR percentile from 0.00 to 99.95.
What is the maximum SACE aggregate possible out of 90?
Each 20-credit Stage 2 subject is scaled to a score out of 20.0, and 10-credit subjects are scaled out of 10.0. The maximum possible university aggregate is 90.0 (excluding university adjustment factor bonus points).
How does subject scaling work in SACE?
SATAC statistically moderates and scales SACE Stage 2 results to account for competition strength across subjects. High-scaling subjects with academically strong cohorts (such as Specialist Mathematics, Mathematical Methods, Chemistry, and Languages) typically scale upward relative to other studies.
What SACE aggregate is required for an ATAR of 90 or 95 in SA?
Historically, an aggregate of approximately 70.0 to 71.0 out of 90.0 yields an ATAR of approximately 90.00 in South Australia. An aggregate around 78.0 to 79.0 produces an ATAR of approximately 95.00.