WA WACE scaling — 2024
TISC's verbatim 2024 scaled-score statistics for WACE courses, plus aggregate construction, English thresholds, and Maths bonus rules. 43 WACE courses with full percentile data; 25 additional small-cohort courses with mean/SD only.
Key facts (2024)
- 9,992 WA school leavers achieved an ATAR in 2024 (2023: 9,722).
- 18 students achieved the maximum ATAR of 99.95.
- 84 courses were examined for scaling, including 29 language courses.
- The highest possible aggregate in 2024 was 430.
- All scaled-score averages sit around 60 across all subjects by construction.
Top 12 WACE subjects by scaled mean
| Subject | Students | Scaled mean | P90 scaled | P50 scaled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese: Second Language | 73 | 70.0 | 87.9 | 69.5 |
| Mathematics Specialist | 1,282 | 68.9 | 85.8 | 69.0 |
| French: Second Language | 349 | 68.1 | 84.0 | 68.3 |
| Japanese: Second Language | 285 | 67.2 | 86.1 | 67.2 |
| Literature | 1,487 | 66.0 | 83.0 | 66.0 |
| Mathematics Methods | 3,990 | 64.6 | 81.2 | 64.9 |
| Chemistry | 4,472 | 63.2 | 79.7 | 63.3 |
| Italian: Second Language | 175 | 62.7 | 79.4 | 63.0 |
| Physics | 2,661 | 62.3 | 79.2 | 62.6 |
| Ancient History | 100 | 62.2 | 79.8 | 62.4 |
| Music | 303 | 62.0 | 78.3 | 62.0 |
| Politics and Law | 765 | 61.6 | 77.7 | 61.8 |
Lowest-scaling WACE subjects
| Subject | Students | Scaled mean | P90 scaled | P50 scaled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese: First Language | 51 | 50.5 | 73.0 | 50.0 |
| Applied Information Technology | 304 | 52.5 | 70.6 | 52.5 |
| Health Studies | 578 | 53.6 | 70.7 | 53.7 |
| English as an Additional Language or Dialect | 769 | 53.7 | 71.4 | 53.8 |
| Outdoor Education | 106 | 53.9 | 70.9 | 54.2 |
| Materials Design and Technology | 79 | 54.6 | 72.0 | 54.3 |
| Business Management and Enterprise | 953 | 54.7 | 71.4 | 55.0 |
| Geography | 1,306 | 54.9 | 71.5 | 55.0 |
Most popular WACE subjects (by candidature, 2024)
| Subject | Students | Scaled mean |
|---|---|---|
| English | 9,594 | 57.4 |
| Mathematics Applications | 7,736 | 55.3 |
| Chemistry | 4,472 | 63.2 |
| Mathematics Methods | 3,990 | 64.6 |
| Human Biology | 3,819 | 58.9 |
| Physics | 2,661 | 62.3 |
| Economics | 1,672 | 59.5 |
| Psychology | 1,638 | 57.2 |
| Biology | 1,594 | 57.4 |
| Literature | 1,487 | 66.0 |
WACE aggregate construction
Best 4 scaled scores summed = Tertiary Entrance Aggregate. 10% bonus added to scaled scores in Maths Methods, Maths Specialist, and LOTE (only highest LOTE attracts bonus).
English competence thresholds (2024)
Percentage of students in each English ATAR course who achieved a scaled score of 50 or higher (meeting WA university English-competence requirements):
| Course | % scoring 50+ |
|---|---|
| Literature ATAR | 89.6% |
| English ATAR | 72.4% |
| EALD ATAR | 60.9% |
Sources
- TISC — 2024 Scaled Score Statistics (All Students) (PDF, 84 pages — one chart per subject)
- TISC — 2024 Scaling and ATAR Information (PDF, 2 pages summary)
- SCSA — School Curriculum and Standards Authority (curriculum authority)