An ATAR of 65 isn't "bad," but it's below the average (around 70) and typically qualifies for some university courses, foundation programs, or TAFE, rather than highly competitive degrees like medicine, says Ezy Math Tutoring and Superprof. It can grant entry into less competitive university courses, pathways, or vocational training, and you might need to explore options like alternative entry or similar courses at different institutions, according to UAC and Good Universities Guide.
Most reputed universities offer a plethora of courses at 70–90 ATAR. For instance, at Bond University, general admission begins at 65+ ATAR, whereas many courses offer admission at 75+ ATAR at Monash University. Additional Criteria of Admission: ATAR isn't the only gateway to tertiary study.
The average ATAR is usually around 70.00.
If every school student went on to achieve an ATAR, the average ATAR would be 50.00. But because some students leave school early and the ones who stay on to receive an ATAR are a smaller, more academically able group, the average ATAR is higher.
A good ATAR is subjective, but generally, 70+ is considered good for many university courses, 80+ is very strong, opening most options, and 90+ is excellent, needed for competitive degrees like medicine or law. A good ATAR is simply the score that gets you into your desired course, which can range from around 60 for some pathways to 99.95 for the highest achievers, with the average being around 70.
Getting a 70 ATAR is surprisingly achievable, as it's around the median for students who complete Year 12 (not 50), meaning you only need to be in the top 30% of your cohort, not get 70%. You generally need roughly average scaled study scores of about 30 across your best subjects, which often translates to consistent B+ or around 60-70% on internal assessments (SACs) and exams, though scaling and subject choice play a big role.
A 70% is often a B or a C, depending heavily on the grading system, but in many US systems it's a low C or C-, while in Australia, 70-74% is typically a Distinction (D), and 60-69% is a Credit (C). It's crucial to check your specific school or country's scale, as 70% can range from a solid pass to a high B or low Distinction.
Medicine is widely regarded as the number one hardest degree in the world due to its complex syllabus, extended duration, intense clinical training, and high-pressure exams.
Getting a low ATAR isn't the end of the world
Tertiary institutions including universities offer numerous alternative pathways specifically designed for students who didn't get the score they wanted or needed.
What is the ATAR for Medicine in NSW and Canberra? For students wishing to study medicine in New South Wales, they will need to achieve an ATAR above 90 and in most cases in the mid-90s or even higher.
Yes, you can absolutely go to university without an ATAR by using various alternative pathways like TAFE diplomas, foundation courses, bridging programs, experience-based entry, or STAT tests, as most universities offer multiple routes to entry beyond just high school results, recognizing skills from work, vocational training, or life experience.
17.3% of students received an ATAR of 90.00 or above. 34.6% of students received an ATAR of at least 80.00. 51.3% of students received an ATAR of at least 70.00. The median ATAR this year was 70.75, slightly lower than in 2024 (71.55).
Your ATAR doesn't determine your success
Employers and universities are increasingly valuing practical skills, creativity and life experience just as much as academic performance. So if your ATAR isn't what you expected, don't panic. It's simply one stepping stone on your path forward.
Uses degree classifications: First Class (70%+), Upper Second (60–69%), Lower Second (50–59%). Classifies degrees instead of assigning letter grades or GPA. Employs grades like A, B, C, D, F alongside a credit system for course weighting.
This means that if your ATAR is too low for your dream course, it might still grant you entry into an institution with lower demand that offers a very similar course, or allow you to take a slightly different route to your end goal.
A 3.2 GPA is considered low for medical school, as the average accepted GPA is closer to 3.7+, but it's not impossible; you'd need an exceptional MCAT score, strong clinical experience, research, volunteering, and a significant upward trend in grades to compensate and get accepted into DO programs or some MD programs, especially if you have compelling extracurriculars and personal narrative.
The Guaranteed ATAR allows you to know the likelihood of receiving an offer into specific courses in advance. This means that if you receive an ATAR equal to or above the guaranteed ATAR (excluding adjustment factors), and meet the course prerequisites, we will guarantee you an offer in this course.
There isn't a single "lowest ATAR ever" because scores below 30.00 are officially reported as "less than 30" or "30 or less," though theoretically, the lowest possible score is 0.00, with actual offers sometimes going as low as 22 for certain degrees or under special consideration, often through Educational Access Schemes.
There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as rankings fluctuate, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) consistently appear at the very top of lists for lowest acceptance rates (often below 4-5%), requiring exceptional academic performance and unique qualifications from applicants. Caltech is often noted for its intense focus on STEM and tiny class sizes, while Harvard remains the most famous symbol of extreme selectivity.
But your GPA won't make or break your career. "Your energy is better spent gaining relevant work experience and building relationships with people working in your field," says Jay. "Those are better predictors of success … your GPA doesn't matter as much as you think it does."
Medicine is considered a very challenging track due to its extensive coursework, extensive real-world practice, and high competition for placements. Degrees in law, physics, and engineering also have reputations for being quite tough based on the level of depth and detail required.
Architecture. Architecture is known as one of the degrees that leads to the highest mental burnout due to its intense studio culture, long working hours, and demanding design expectations. Students often spend nights completing models, drawings, and critiques, which can lead to stress and exhaustion.
Which AP exams have the lowest pass rates? Physics 1, Environmental Science, and English Language had the fewest students scoring a passing grade.