Quick answer: SACE scaling turns each subject's results into a scaled score (out of 20 for a 20-credit subject, 10 for a 10-credit subject) so subjects can be compared. Your best 90 credits of scaled scores form a university aggregate out of 90, which SATAC converts to an ATAR. In 2025 an aggregate of 70 gave 82.20, 80 gave 93.65 and 89.30 or more gave the top ATAR of 99.95.
SACE scaling key facts (2025)
- The university aggregate is out of 90: best three 20-credit scaled scores plus 30 credits of flexible option.
- An ATAR of 90.00 needed an aggregate of 76.45, an average of about 17.0 out of 20 per 20 credits.
- An aggregate of 89.30 or more gave the maximum ATAR of 99.95.
- A grade covers a range of scaled scores; SATAC gives a B- in Legal Studies as 12.4 to 14.2.
- Source: SATAC 2025 SACE/NTCET aggregate to ATAR table.
How SACE scaling works
- Grades become numbers. Each grade level in the SACE and NTCET has a numeric equivalent, built from school assessment and external assessment.
- Subjects are compared. SATAC standardises subjects against each other using the students who took both, so a subject taken by stronger students is adjusted up.
- Scaled scores. The result is a scaled score out of 20 or 10. If you did not attempt the externally assessed part of a subject, its scaled score is 0.0, though the subject can still count towards the credit requirements.
Scaling does not change your grade. Your grade shows your achievement in the subject; your scaled score shows your position relative to students in other subjects.
Why a grade is not a scaled score
SATAC says there is no direct conversion from an overall subject grade to a scaled score. Each grade covers a range of scaled scores, and the range differs by subject. For example, SATAC gives a B- in Legal Studies as covering scaled scores from 12.4 to 14.2. That is why the SACE ATAR calculator asks for scaled scores, not grades. To see the raw score your grades produce before scaling, use the SACE grade calculator.
From scaled scores to an aggregate
Your university aggregate is the best three 20-credit scaled scores (60 credits) plus the best 30 credits from the flexible option, which can use 10-credit and 20-credit subjects and up to 20 credits of Recognised Studies. The maximum is 90. Precluded combinations and counting restrictions apply. University adjustment factors are added later and change your selection rank, not your ATAR. See ATAR bonus points.
SATAC 2025 aggregate to ATAR table
The ATAR for every whole-number university aggregate from 20 to 90 in 2025. SATAC's table goes in steps of 0.05; the calculator uses every step.
| University aggregate (out of 90) | ATAR |
|---|---|
| 90.00 | 99.95 |
| 89.00 | 99.85 |
| 88.00 | 99.45 |
| 87.00 | 98.90 |
| 86.00 | 98.30 |
| 85.00 | 97.65 |
| 84.00 | 96.95 |
| 83.00 | 96.25 |
| 82.00 | 95.50 |
| 81.00 | 94.55 |
| 80.00 | 93.65 |
| 79.00 | 92.75 |
| 78.00 | 91.70 |
| 77.00 | 90.65 |
| 76.00 | 89.50 |
| 75.00 | 88.45 |
| 74.00 | 87.20 |
| 73.00 | 86.05 |
| 72.00 | 84.90 |
| 71.00 | 83.55 |
| 70.00 | 82.20 |
| 69.00 | 81.00 |
| 68.00 | 79.70 |
| 67.00 | 78.35 |
| 66.00 | 77.10 |
| 65.00 | 75.75 |
| 64.00 | 74.55 |
| 63.00 | 73.15 |
| 62.00 | 71.90 |
| 61.00 | 70.60 |
| 60.00 | 69.30 |
| 59.00 | 68.10 |
| 58.00 | 66.90 |
| 57.00 | 65.55 |
| 56.00 | 64.25 |
| 55.00 | 62.95 |
| 54.00 | 61.55 |
| 53.00 | 60.30 |
| 52.00 | 59.00 |
| 51.00 | 57.70 |
| 50.00 | 56.45 |
| 49.00 | 55.10 |
| 48.00 | 53.85 |
| 47.00 | 52.65 |
| 46.00 | 51.45 |
| 45.00 | 50.25 |
| 44.00 | 49.05 |
| 43.00 | 47.65 |
| 42.00 | 46.15 |
| 41.00 | 44.80 |
| 40.00 | 43.60 |
| 39.00 | 42.20 |
| 38.00 | 40.85 |
| 37.00 | 39.60 |
| 36.00 | 38.15 |
| 35.00 | 36.55 |
| 34.00 | 34.70 |
| 33.00 | 32.85 |
| 32.00 | 31.00 |
| 31.00 | 29.30 |
| 30.00 | 27.55 |
| 29.00 | 25.75 |
| 28.00 | 23.70 |
| 27.00 | 21.25 |
| 26.00 | 19.45 |
| 25.00 | 18.35 |
| 24.00 | 17.10 |
| 23.00 | 16.10 |
| 22.00 | 13.90 |
| 21.00 | 13.00 |
| 20.00 | 11.75 |
Official data Source: SATAC 2025 SACE/NTCET university aggregate to ATAR (official). Data year: 2025.
Key points in the 2025 table
| ATAR | Lowest aggregate (2025) |
|---|---|
| 99.95 | 89.30 |
| 99.00 | 87.25 |
| 95.00 | 81.45 |
| 90.00 | 76.45 |
| 80.00 | 68.25 |
| 70.00 | 60.55 |
| 50.00 | 44.85 |
For the general idea behind scaling in every state, read how ATAR scaling works.
Average scaled score needed for each ATAR
The lowest aggregate for each ATAR in 2025, and what that means as an average scaled score per 20 credits (the aggregate divided by 4.5).
| ATAR | Lowest aggregate | Average per 20 credits |
|---|---|---|
| 50.00 | 44.85 | 9.97 |
| 60.00 | 52.75 | 11.72 |
| 65.00 | 56.60 | 12.58 |
| 70.00 | 60.55 | 13.46 |
| 75.00 | 64.40 | 14.31 |
| 80.00 | 68.25 | 15.17 |
| 85.00 | 72.10 | 16.02 |
| 90.00 | 76.45 | 16.99 |
| 95.00 | 81.45 | 18.10 |
| 98.00 | 85.50 | 19.00 |
| 99.00 | 87.25 | 19.39 |
| 99.95 | 89.30 | 19.84 |
The steps get smaller at the top. Going from 80 to 90 takes about 1.8 more scaled points per subject; going from 95 to 99 takes about 1.3; and the last step to 99.95 takes less than half a point.
What this means for planning
- Every scaled point counts once. A point in a 10-credit subject adds as much to the aggregate as a point in a 20-credit subject.
- Your weakest counted subject is the cheapest to lift. Moving a 13 to a 15 is usually easier than moving an 18 to a 20.
- The flexible option rewards a fifth subject. SATAC picks the best combination for your last 30 credits, so an extra subject can only help.
- Check counting restrictions. Some subject pairs cannot both count. SATAC's Tertiary Entrance booklet lists them.
SACE scaling FAQ
Does SACE scaling change my grade?
No. Your grade stays the same. Scaling only affects your scaled score, which is used for the university aggregate.
Can I work out my scaled score from my grade?
Only roughly. Each grade covers a range of scaled scores that varies by subject, so a grade gives a range, not a single number.
What is a good SACE university aggregate?
It depends on your goals. In 2025, 60.55 reached an ATAR of 70, 68.25 reached 80 and 76.45 reached 90.
Does the NTCET use the same table?
Yes. SATAC's 2025 table covers both SACE and NTCET students.
What average scaled score do I need for a 90 ATAR in SA?
About 17.0 out of 20 per 20 credits in 2025, from an aggregate of 76.45.
What aggregate gives a 99.95 in SACE?
89.30 or more in 2025, an average of about 19.84 out of 20.