SACE ATAR Calculator 2026 — South Australia ATAR Estimator (SATAC)

Our most accurate SACE ATAR Calculator helps South Australian Year 12 students estimate their Australian Tertiary Admission Rank based on Stage 2 subject results. Enter your grades (A+ to E−), raw scores (0–15), or subject percentages, and instantly see how SATAC's scaling adjusts your marks, what university aggregate you are on track for (out of 90), and the corresponding ATAR estimate. Built using the SATAC methodology and 2026 aggregate-to-ATAR conversion data.

How Is the SACE ATAR Calculated?

The ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) in South Australia is calculated by SATAC (South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre) using your SACE Stage 2 results. The full process is:

1. School and external assessment results — For each Stage 2 Tertiary Admissions Subject (TAS), you receive marks for school-assessed components (typically 70% weight) and an externally assessed component, usually an exam (typically 30% weight). From 2024, the actual numeric result of the publicly assessed component is used directly, rather than a grade equivalent.
2. Raw score calculation — Internal marks (out of 10.5) + external marks (out of 4.5) = raw score out of 15 for each 20-credit subject. For a 10-credit subject, the raw score is out of 7.5.
3. Scaling using the Equal Achievement Principle — SATAC scales all raw scores by comparing students who took multiple subjects together. If students who take Physics also score well in Maths Methods, it signals Physics is academically demanding, and it scales up accordingly. SATAC does not publish official scaling tables — scaled scores depend on annual cohort data.
4. Scaled score out of 20 — After scaling, each subject gets a final scaled score from 0 to 20.
5. University aggregate (0–90) — SATAC selects your best 90 credits of scaled scores. The first 60 credits must be from three 20-credit TAS (or valid pairs of 10-credit subjects). The remaining 30 credits (the "flexible option") can be additional TAS or up to 20 credits of Recognised Studies. Research Project B (10 credits) is compulsory and always counted.
6. ATAR assignment — SATAC ranks all eligible SACE and NTCET students by aggregate and assigns ATARs from 0.00 to 99.95. An ATAR of 80.00 means your aggregate placed you in the top 20% of the age cohort in SA and the NT.

SACE Stage 2 Grades Explained

SACE Stage 2 subjects are assessed using a 10-grade scale. From highest to lowest: A+, A, B+, B, C+, C, D, E (with pluses indicating the upper boundary of each grade band). Most subjects use grades A to E (with + variants). The Research Project B uses slightly different descriptors. Grade C− is the minimum for subject completion in Stage 2.

For ATAR purposes, your grade alone is not enough — SATAC uses the actual numeric raw score from your assessment tasks, which is more granular than your grade letter.

Best-Scaling SACE Subjects

Because SATAC uses the Equal Achievement Principle, subject scaling reflects the overall academic ability of the students who choose each subject. Historically, these subjects have scaled most favourably:

• Specialist Mathematics — Consistently the highest-scaling SACE subject. A grade of B in Specialist Maths typically produces a scaled score comparable to an A− in most other subjects.
• Mathematical Methods — The second-highest scaling mathematics subject.
• Physics — Strong cohort; scales significantly above the average subject.
• Chemistry — Similar to Physics in scaling terms; both attract academically competitive students.
• Latin — Very small but elite cohort; scales extremely well.
• Background/First Language languages — Japanese, Chinese, and Italian at background or first-language level often scale very strongly due to high cohort ability.
• English Literary Studies — Scales above English and Modern History; the best-scaling English subject.

Subjects that historically scale at or below average include General Mathematics, Physical Education, Tourism, Food and Hospitality, and most Arts/Applied subjects.

Key insight: A grade C in Specialist Mathematics or Physics typically scales higher than a grade B in General Mathematics or Physical Education. However, receiving a mediocre grade in a high-scaling subject — because it is harder — can sometimes produce a lower scaled score than an excellent grade in a moderate-scaling subject.

The SACE University Aggregate — Understanding 90 Credits

The 90-credit aggregate has a specific structure students must plan around:

• First 60 credits (mandatory TAS) — Three 20-credit Stage 2 TAS subjects at their full scaled score (0–20 each). These 60 credits form the foundation of your aggregate and are the most important to maximise.
• Next 30 credits (flexible) — Can be any combination of additional 20-credit TAS, 10-credit TAS (valid pairs), or up to 20 credits of Recognised Studies (e.g. VET qualifications at Certificate III or above).
• Research Project B — Worth 10 credits and compulsory for ATAR eligibility. It contributes to your flexible 30 credits.
• Maximum aggregate = 90 — Achieved by scoring 20/20 in all subjects across 90 credits.

SATAC University Aggregate to ATAR — 2026 Conversion Table

Based on the 2026 SATAC university aggregate to ATAR conversion table. These thresholds change each year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated April 2026. Based on SATAC ATAR methodology and 2025/26 aggregate-to-ATAR conversion data published at satac.edu.au/atar. Not affiliated with SATAC or the SACE Board. For official ATAR information, visit satac.edu.au.