Selection ranks
Selection Ranks determine your eligibility for entry through QTAC into tertiary courses. They are based on factors like academic results and work experience.
Selection Ranks
About Selection Ranks
Selection ranks play a crucial role in determining entry into university courses. They are calculated based on various factors, including academic results, work experience, and additional qualifications. Understanding how selection ranks work helps you gauge your eligibility for different courses and explore ways to improve your ranking if needed.
Selection Rank
A selection rank is a numerical value used by tertiary institutions to assess an applicant’s suitability for a specific course. It is derived from various criteria, including academic achievements and other factors like adjustments for certain circumstances. The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is often mistaken for the selection rank, but they are distinct. The ATAR is an achievement measure indicating how a student performed relative to their peers. This ATAR value is then converted into a selection rank, which may or may not include additional adjustments.
Determining the Selection Rank
Calculating Selection Ranks
How is a Selection Rank Calculated?
The calculation of a selection rank begins with the ATAR, which is then adjusted according to specific criteria set by each institution. Adjustments, previously known as ‘bonus points,’ are added to the ATAR-based selection rank, not the ATAR itself. These adjustments can be based on various factors, such as:
Subject Performance: High achievement in particular subjects.
Equity Considerations: Disadvantages faced by the student.
Location: Regional or remote area adjustments.
Special Schemes: Institutional policies or special entry programs.
Each tertiary institution have unique rules and criteria for applying these adjustments, and they can be specific to certain courses.
Institution-specific Requirements
Institutional variations in Selection Rank use
Not all institutions calculate and apply selection ranks in the same manner. There are significant variations depending on institutional policies and the specific requirements of each course. This means that an applicant’s selection rank can differ from one institution to another, even if the starting ATAR is the same.
Furthermore, the minimum selection threshold—the lowest selection rank required to receive an offer for a place in a course—can change yearly. This threshold is influenced by the number and quality of applicants each year and may vary across different offer rounds.
Other Sources of Selection Ranks
VET Qualifications and Selection Ranks
Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualifications can also play a role in determining an applicant’s selection rank. While not all institutions consider VET qualifications, many do assess them at the Certificate III level and higher. These qualifications are evaluated as stand-alone achievements and assigned a selection rank according to a specific schedule.
Importantly, VET qualifications are not just for Year 12 students. Any applicant to QTAC (Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre) can have their VET qualifications assessed, with institutions determining how these ranks are incorporated into the overall selection process.
Competency-based Training and Selection Ranks
Competency-based training (CBT) also impacts selection ranks. Here’s how different scenarios are handled:
Completed Competency-Based Training: Your completed competency-based course can be given a QTAC selection rank. If it is a VET qualification (Certificate III to Advanced Diploma), a set completion rank is given for the completed qualification, if done at tertiary level (Bachelor or higher), the rank is based on duration and level of study.
Incomplete Competency-Based Training: If you do not complete your competency-based diploma or higher-level course, you may still be given a rank. This rank will be based on the level and duration of study. It will often be lower than a rank assigned to a completed qualification. Selection ranks are not assigned to incomplete Certificate III or IV study.
Year 12 Results: Undertaking competency-based training does not change your ATAR. If you complete a competency-based qualification while at school, this can be given its own rank, separate from and in addition to your ATAR.
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT): A good result in the STAT can increase the rank for competency-based study, provided you have passed all modules. Poor STAT results will not affect the rank for your competency-based study. STAT will not improve any competency-based study with an overall failing grade point average (GPA). If you have failing tertiary study of one or more year’s full-time (or equivalent part-time) duration, contact the admissions office of the institution you wish to study at for more information as to how they utilise STAT for selection ranks.
Results of ‘Not Yet Competent’: If you receive one or more results of ‘not yet competent’, we calculate your selection rank according to your grade point average (GPA). We give a grade of 4 (pass) for each ‘competent’ and a grade of 1.5 (fail) for each ‘not yet competent’. We then assess your qualification as graded study rather than competency-based. If you repeat all the modules for which you received a result of ‘not yet competent’ and get a result of ‘competent’ for each, we assess your qualification as competency-based.
Qualifications with Both Competency-Based and Graded Assessment: If your results include both competency-based and graded assessments, the rank is calculated based on the majority type. If 75% or more of your results are competency-based, your qualification is assessed as competency-based. If less than 25% are competency-based, it is assessed as graded. For results in between, it is scored both ways, and the higher rank is given.
TAFE Queensland Courses
TAFE Queensland results might include Performance Level Assessment (PLA). This is similar to graded assessment in that it gives more information about your individual achievement. It provides evidence of extra effort and performance in certain areas. To get a PLA result, you must first achieve a ‘competent’ in the unit or module. For more information, contact TAFE Queensland.
If you receive mostly PLA results, we will assess your qualification as graded. If you have an equal number of competency results and PLA results we will score it both ways and give you the higher rank.
Diplomas Containing Certificates
Some diplomas include ‘nested’ certificates, allowing for the awarding of certificate qualifications before completing the diploma. In such cases, a rank is given based on the certificate, but this rank may not be sufficient for entry into certain courses. Call us on 1300 467 822 for more information about the rank your certificate may receive.
In conclusion, understanding the nuances of selection ranks, their calculation, and their application by different institutions can significantly impact an applicant’s approach to securing a place in their desired course. It is advisable for students to explore the specific criteria and adjustment schemes of the institutions they are interested in to maximise their chances of admission.
Depending on which institution you have in mind will determine the policies on how they handle competency-based training. If you are still looking at your pathway options and want to understand the institution’s rules with CBT, it’s best to contact the institution.