Choosing WACE ATAR courses with scaling in mind (2026)
In TISC's 2025 data, the ATAR courses with 1,000+ students and the highest mean scaled scores were Mathematics Specialist (69.2), Mathematics Methods (64.6), Literature (64.2), Chemistry (63.2) and Physics (62.7), against an overall mean of 60. But position matters more: a 90th-percentile Mathematics Applications student (72.0) out-scaled a median Mathematics Methods student (64.8). Methods, Specialist and a language also add a 10% bonus to your TEA.
What the scaled mean tells you
TISC's Average Marks Scaling sets each course's average scaled score to match how the same students performed across all their courses. The overall mean is 60, so a course mean above 60 means its students did well across the board. TISC notes this can change from year to year.
2025 mean scaled scores (courses with 1,000+ students)
| Course | Students | Mean scaled score |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics Specialist | 1,311 | 69.2 |
| Mathematics Methods | 4,205 | 64.6 |
| Literature | 1,602 | 64.2 |
| Chemistry | 4,508 | 63.2 |
| Physics | 2,713 | 62.7 |
| Economics | 1,724 | 59.1 |
| Human Biology | 3,847 | 58.6 |
| English | 9,487 | 57.8 |
| Biology | 1,725 | 57.3 |
| Psychology | 1,833 | 56.8 |
| Modern History | 1,510 | 56.8 |
| Physical Education Studies | 1,469 | 56.2 |
| Geography | 1,171 | 55.4 |
| Mathematics Applications | 7,969 | 55.3 |
Among smaller courses, French: Second Language (353 students, 68.4), Japanese: Second Language (273, 68.4) and Italian: Second Language (171, 62.9) also had high means. Figures are TISC's total-population means.
Where you finish matters more
TISC's percentile table for 2025 shows the scaled score at points within each course:
| Course (2025) | 25th percentile | Median | 90th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics Specialist | 60.9 | 69.4 | 86.3 |
| Mathematics Methods | 56.4 | 64.8 | 81.4 |
| Mathematics Applications | 47.0 | 55.5 | 72.0 |
| Chemistry | 55.0 | 63.4 | 80.1 |
| Human Biology | 50.4 | 58.7 | 75.1 |
| English | 49.5 | 58.1 | 74.7 |
| Literature | 55.9 | 64.6 | 81.2 |
A student near the top of Mathematics Applications (72.0 at the 90th percentile) scaled well above a median Mathematics Methods student (64.8). Choose courses where you can finish high.
The bonuses change the calculation
Your TEA is your best four scaled scores plus:
- 10% of your Mathematics Methods scaled score;
- 10% of your Mathematics Specialist scaled score;
- 10% of your best language (LOTE) scaled score.
These are added even if the course isn't in your best four. With a median Methods score of 64.8 in 2025, the Methods bonus alone was worth about 6.5 TEA points.
Other things to check
- Prerequisites and competence in English. For standard entry, WA universities also require English competence and any course prerequisites. A scaled score of 50+ in English, Literature or EALD ATAR meets the English requirement at all WA universities.
- At least four ATAR courses, and ideally five, so one weaker result can drop out.
- Unacceptable combinations. Some pairs of courses can't both count; TISC lists them for each admission year.
Reading "scales up" as "adds marks". Scaling reflects who takes a course. If you'd finish in the bottom quarter of Mathematics Methods (56.4 or less in 2025), a strong Applications result may serve your TEA better, though you'd lose the 10% Methods bonus.
For the full calculation, see how the WACE ATAR is calculated.
Sources & how we know this
- 2025 AMS scaling and total population means — Tertiary Institutions Service Centre (TISC) (2025)
- 2025 course statistics summary: scaled scores for specific percentiles — Tertiary Institutions Service Centre (TISC) (2025)
- The marks adjustment process — Tertiary Institutions Service Centre (TISC) (2026)
- About the ATAR — Tertiary Institutions Service Centre (TISC) (2026)
Last updated: 2026-09-23. Rules change. For the official source see SCSA.