Choosing the Best ATAR Subjects for You: Balancing Strengths & Future Goals

For many Year 10 students, choosing ATAR subjects is the first major academic decision that feels like it could shape the future. These choices not only influence your experience in Years 11 and 12, but they also determine your eligibility for certain university courses and affect your ATAR outcomes. It can feel overwhelming, but with the right approach, you can make confident, informed decisions. The best subject selection balances three factors: what you are good at, what you enjoy, and what you may need for future goals. In this article, I will outline the strategies schools recommend to help students choose wisely, illustrate them with examples, and highlight mistakes to avoid.

Choosing ATAR Subjects: A Guide for Students

Your ATAR is calculated from your best-scoring subjects, with English compulsory in most states. The combination of subjects you choose affects how competitive your ATAR will be and whether you are eligible for certain university courses. Some subjects serve as prerequisites for future pathways, while others provide flexibility and balance.

Making thoughtful choices ensures you avoid unnecessary stress and set yourself up for success. For example, a student planning to study medicine must include Chemistry, while a student interested in law should focus on subjects that strengthen analytical and communication skills, such as Literature or Politics. Teachers emphasise that no single subject guarantees a high ATAR – success comes from consistent effort across your chosen program of study.

Strategy 1 – Start With Your Strengths

A reliable starting point is to select subjects that align with your strengths. If you have consistently performed well in mathematics, science, or humanities, those subjects are often a natural choice. Strength brings confidence, and confidence builds motivation. Choosing subjects that you both enjoy and excel in keeps you engaged through the demands of Years 11 and 12.

Consider a student who enjoys Biology and consistently performs strongly in science. Taking Human Biology and Chemistry may complement each other and create synergy. On the other hand, a student whose strengths lie in writing and analysis may benefit more from English Literature, History, and Politics and Law. Scaling or perceived difficulty should not overshadow the importance of playing to your strengths. Strong performance in any subject is always rewarded. Educators frequently note that students who build on their established strengths achieve more consistent results and avoid the discouragement that comes with struggling in unfamiliar territory.

Play to your strengths — strong performance in any subject is always rewarded

Strategy 2 – Understand University Prerequisites

University courses often have prerequisite subjects. For example, medicine may require Chemistry, engineering may require Mathematics Methods, and almost all courses require English. Ignoring prerequisites can limit your options later, even if you achieve a strong ATAR.

Researching prerequisites early is essential. Resources such as TISC (WA), UAC (NSW), VTAC (VIC), QTAC (QLD), and SATAC (SA/NT) publish current entry requirements. Some states even allow you to use subject selection planning tools online to model how different choices affect eligibility. Even if you are uncertain about your future course, it is wise to keep options open by selecting at least one subject aligned with likely pathways.

Schools often encourage students to think ahead by checking course guides and speaking with career advisors. For example, a student uncertain between medicine and physiotherapy would be advised to keep Chemistry and Human Biology to maximise options. A subject selection that considers prerequisites is a future-proof decision.

Strategy 3 – Balance Workload and Challenge

Not all ATAR subjects are equal in workload. Some involve heavy essay writing, others practical components, and some demand extensive problem-solving. Choosing a mix of subjects helps balance these demands. A common recommendation is to select two to three core strengths and one to two subjects that stretch you.

Stretch subjects are valuable. They build resilience and broaden skills, but too many can overwhelm. For example, combining Physics, Chemistry, Specialist Mathematics, and Literature could create an unsustainable workload unless you are already a top-performing student across those areas. Teachers emphasise that balance is critical. Students who overload on high-demand courses often face burnout, while those who balance strengths with moderate challenges maintain steadier performance.

When planning, ask yourself: ‘Can I sustain this workload across two years?’ If the answer is no, reconsider the mix. Sometimes, including a subject like Physical Education Studies, Design, or Applied Information Technology can provide balance while still contributing strongly to your ATAR.

Strategy 4 – Think About Scaling, But Don’t Chase It

Scaling is a process used by admissions centres to adjust results fairly across different subjects. Contrary to myths, it is not about rewarding or punishing students for subject choice but about ensuring equity. Taking a so-called ‘hard’ subject does not guarantee an ATAR boost. What matters is how well you perform.

For instance, while Mathematics Methods may scale slightly higher than Mathematics Applications, a student who earns 90% in Applications will generally finish ahead of a student who struggles to pass Methods. Educators consistently warn against chasing scaling advantages. Students who abandon strengths in favour of perceived scaling benefits often find themselves struggling.

The best approach is simple: choose subjects you can sustain effort in and enjoy learning. Scaling will take care of itself when you perform consistently. If you are curious, you can review past scaling reports from TISC or other admissions centres, but always treat them as guidance, not a decision driver.

Don’t chase scaling — consistency and enjoyment lead to better results.

Strategy 5 – Seek Advice and Use Resources

Schools provide multiple resources to support subject selection. Teachers know your academic strengths and can offer insight into which courses suit you. Careers advisors can connect your choices to university prerequisites and pathways. Recent graduates are also a valuable source of perspective – they can share which subjects prepared them best for their current studies.

Online tools, such as ATAR calculators and university course guides, also provide useful data. ReviseOnline-style planning goes further by encouraging you to map subjects against syllabus dot points. This helps ensure your learning style matches the demands of each course and prevents surprises later. Using these resources means you are making informed, not impulsive, decisions.

Parents should also be part of the conversation, but the final decision should reflect your abilities and interests. Subject selection evenings, where universities and schools present requirements together, are another excellent chance to ask questions.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When speaking with Year 12s looking back at their choices, certain regrets appear regularly. Avoid these pitfalls:

Choosing subjects because your friends are taking them.

Dropping strong subjects in pursuit of scaling myths.

Overloading with too many new or high-demand subjects at once.

Ignoring university prerequisites until it is too late.

For example, one student regretted dropping English Literature in favour of a subject perceived as ‘easier,’ only to discover later that her preferred university course required advanced essay-writing skills. Another took on three sciences without considering the workload, which led to stress and underperformance. The most successful students are those who select subjects deliberately, balancing strengths and future goals while avoiding common traps.