Chemistry — WA WACE scaling 2024
TISC's verbatim 2024 scaled-score statistics for Chemistry. Scaled mean 63.2/100, SD 13.1, 4,472 students. Range observed: 15.3 to 98.8.
Summary statistics
| Scaled mean | 63.2 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Standard deviation | 13.1 |
| Minimum scaled score | 15.3 |
| Maximum scaled score | 98.8 |
| Students (2024) | 4,472 |
Scaled scores by percentile
| Percentile | Scaled score |
|---|---|
| P90 (top 10%) | 79.7 |
| P75 (top 25%) | 71.8 |
| P50 (median) | 63.3 |
| P25 (bottom 25%) | 55.0 |
The P25-to-P90 spread for Chemistry was 24.7 scaled points in 2024.
How Chemistry scaled in 2024
This subject scales close to neutral. The candidature performs around the senior-secondary cohort median, so raw marks and scaled marks track each other closely. Scaling is not a major factor either way for this subject.
The scaled-score scale in WA is 0–100, with the cohort-wide mean across all subjects sitting around 60 by construction. A subject with a scaled mean above 60 had a candidature performing above the WACE-wide average; below 60 means the average student in this subject performed below the WACE-wide average. Note that this is the scaled mean across the course's candidature, not a measure of conceptual difficulty.
3-year scaling trend for Chemistry →
| Year | Scaled mean (/ 100) |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 63.4 |
| 2024 | 63.2 |
Very stable across 2 years — Chemistry has scaled within 0.2 points of its 2023 value, suggesting its candidature composition is consistent.
3-year trend data sourced from the TISC annual scaling reports 2023–2024. See all scaling trends.
Tutor rate context for Chemistry
Subject complexity classification: high. Based on our subject-complexity model, this subject typically carries a +12% 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 Chemistry |
|---|---|
| University-student tutor | $65/hr |
| Experienced graduate | $90/hr |
| Registered teacher | $125/hr |
| Subject specialist | $155/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
In WA, the Tertiary Entrance Aggregate (TEA) is formed from your best 4 scaled scores, with a 10% bonus added to scaled scores in Mathematics Methods, Mathematics Specialist, and LOTE subjects (highest LOTE only). The maximum aggregate in 2024 was 430.
- Chemistry scaled to a mean of 63.2 — above the WACE average.
- If you scored at the P90 of this subject (79.7) and it was one of your best 4, you contributed 79.7 scaled points to your aggregate (or 87.7 with the LOTE/Maths bonus where applicable).
- Strong individual results in subjects with lower scaled means can still produce strong scaled scores — look at the P90 row, not just the mean, before deciding a subject is "weak" for ATAR.
Caveats specific to Chemistry
- This is 2024 data. TISC recalculates scaling each year.
- WACE scaled scores are NOT directly comparable across states. NSW and VIC use a 0-50 scale; QLD and WA use 0-100. Cross-state comparisons need to be normalised by scale.
- The WACE Maths Methods / Specialist / LOTE 10% bonus applies after scaling, only when the bonused subject is one of your top 4.
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 WA WACE subjects
Top + bottom scaling subjects, full subject list with linkable detail.
WA WACE curriculum guide
Subject directory + links to the official SCSA syllabus pages.
SCSA — 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.
- TISC — 2024 Scaled Score Statistics (All Students), individual subject page.
- SCSA — School Curriculum and Standards Authority (curriculum authority).