Music Extension (Composition) — QLD QCE scaling 2024
QTAC's verbatim 2024 scaling for Music Extension (Composition) (QCAA code 0094c). Raw median 95/100 mapped to scaled 83.28; top-decile raw 100 mapped to scaled 87.01.
Raw → scaled distribution (2024)
| Percentile | Raw mark (/ 100) | Scaled mark (/ 100) | Adjustment |
|---|---|---|---|
| P99 | 100 | 87.01 | -13.0 |
| P90 | 100 | 87.01 | -13.0 |
| P75 | 99 | 86.33 | -12.7 |
| P50 (median) | 95 | 83.28 | -11.7 |
| P25 | 85 | 73.34 | -11.7 |
How Music Extension (Composition) scaled in 2024
This subject scales up significantly. The average student in this course outperformed the average student across all senior secondary subjects, so the scaling process boosts the cohort's marks. A solid raw mark in this subject is worth more in scaled terms than the same raw mark in most other subjects.
For Music Extension (Composition) specifically: a median student in the cohort had a raw mark of 95/100 and ended up with a scaled mark of 83.28/100 — an adjustment of -11.7 from raw to scaled. A top-decile student (P90) had a raw mark of 100 mapping to scaled 87.01 — adjustment of -13.0.
QCE General subjects are scored 0–100 raw. QTAC's inter-subject scaling runs a 40-iteration calibration algorithm that maps each subject's raw distribution to a scaled distribution based on how that subject's students performed across all their other subjects. The scaled mark is what counts for the ATAR aggregate; the raw mark is what your QCE certificate reports.
3-year scaling trend for Music Extension (Composition) ↑
| Year | Scaled mean (/ 100) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 82.56 |
| 2023 | 80.99 |
| 2024 | 83.28 |
Scaling has risen by +0.7 points over 2 years (2022: 82.56 → 2024: 83.28). This typically reflects a strengthening candidature — more high-achievers picking this subject relative to other subjects.
3-year trend data sourced from the QTAC annual scaling reports 2022–2024. See all scaling trends.
Tutor rate context for Music Extension (Composition)
Subject complexity classification: medium. Based on our subject-complexity model, this subject typically carries a no uplift adjustment to the base AU tutor rate band — partly because of the qualified-tutor pool size, partly because of subject-specific marking and exam complexity.
| Tutor tier | Typical rate for Music Extension (Composition) |
|---|---|
| University-student tutor | $60/hr |
| Experienced graduate | $80/hr |
| Registered teacher | $110/hr |
| Subject specialist | $140/hr |
Estimates from the AU rate synthesis at /rates/. Use the rate estimator to add city and delivery format.
What this means for ATAR planning
Three reads of this scaling distribution matter for QCE students:
- The median (P50) shows the typical adjustment for an average performance in Music Extension (Composition). Negative — average performances are scaled down because the candidature underperforms in other subjects on average.
- The P90 row shows where strong students land. Even in subjects with a low median scaled position, strong individual students typically score well in scaled terms — look at the P90 column before deciding a subject is "bad".
- The spread P25→P90 (73.34 → 87.01, a 13.7-point spread) shows the room for movement within this subject. Bigger spreads mean tutoring leverage is higher.
Caveats
- This is 2024 data. QTAC recomputes scaling each year.
- QTAC publishes only subjects with 50+ students. Small-candidature subjects are excluded from the percentile tables.
- Applied subjects (e.g., Essential English, Sport & Recreation) use a different scaling scheme (3-band C/B/A) — see the QLD QCE overview for the Applied subject scaling table.
- To be ATAR-eligible in QLD, students need at least a C in English, EAL, Literature, English & Literature Extension, or Essential English. Only 50.1% of the 2024 cohort (28,845 of 57,594) was ATAR-eligible.
Related resources
ATAR scaling calculator
Interactive tool using verbatim 2024 figures from UAC, VTAC, and QTAC.
Tutor rate estimator
Pick subject × city × tutor tier × delivery for a fair-market band.
All QLD QCE subjects
Top + bottom scaling subjects, full subject list with linkable detail.
QLD QCE curriculum guide
Subject directory + links to the official QCAA syllabus pages.
QCAA — official
The curriculum authority's own published syllabus for this subject.
How to choose a tutor
12 questions to ask before committing to a tutor for this subject.
- QTAC — ATAR Report 2024 (22-page PDF, February 2025), Table 6.
- QCAA — Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (curriculum authority).