University of Sydney announces new fixed minimum ATARs (1 Viewer)

engineering

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Details and cutoffs at http://sydney.edu.au/sydney-atar

article in Sydney morning herald
http://www.smh.com.au/national/educ...-new-fixed-minimum-atars-20170818-gxz9z4.html


The University of Sydney will for the first time publish its minimum ATARs for entry into most courses, in a bid to provide more certainty for students and ensure entry is based on academic standards rather than demand.

From Monday, students will know the ATARs they will need to receive an offer for the majority of the university's undergraduate courses, in what deputy vice-chancellor Professor Tyrone Carlin said represents "a major change" from previous years.

Until now, Sydney University, like most institutions, has provided estimated "ATAR cut-offs" based on the the previous year's intake.

"The fixed ATAR will be based on an academic judgment," Professor Carlin said. "You set a level of academic preparedness that you'd expect a candidate to have [for each program]."

Professor Carlin said minimum ATARs are unlikely to change over the years, increasing certainty for students.

"Our business school adopted the fixed ATAR model five years ago and hasn't changed its [minimum] ATAR in that time. Same with our law school.


"Our aim is to be simple and transparent and eliminate uncertainty around the ATARs universities might require by saying this is what you will need."

The change will affect the vast majority of University of Sydney students, with more than 80 per cent of the undergraduate intake admitted only on the basis of ATAR.

Professor Carlin said the new approach will apply to most courses but some degrees, such as physiotherapy, will be excluded because of strict intake numbers and admissions requirements. Alternative entry pathways that look at other factors for entry will also remain unchanged.
 

Snowflek

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Is there actually a difference? I'm checking the fixed atar/IB and they're like exactly the same as the normal atar cutoff.
 

engineering

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Previously the cutoffs could change from year to year, and while not a lot, you might see some changing from 90 to 90.5, to 89.5, depending on yearly demand. If there was some magical massive increase in demand, the number might go up to 94 (though that never ever happens!).

For someone with an ATAR of 95, variations around 90 should not worry them. But for someone with an ATAR around 90, they are likely to get stressed or worried or anxious - "will it go up a little bit?".

Usyd are 100% guaranteeing the cutoff will be xxx, and they will neither raise nor lower it, so even before the HSC you know exactly what you need.
 

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