ATAR Conversion for CBSE & ICSE Students: A Complete Guide

What is ATAR?

The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is a percentile score used in Australia to rank students applying for university admission. It ranges from 0.00 to 99.95, showing how a student performed relative to their peers. For international students, including those from India’s CBSE and ICSE boards, universities use equivalency tables to map board exam marks to the ATAR scale. This helps universities assess if students meet the entry requirements for undergraduate programs.

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Conversion Table: CBSE/ICSE to ATAR

Australian universities calculate ATAR equivalents from CBSE/ICSE board results by averaging a student’s best four subjects and matching the percentage with an ATAR band.

CBSE/ICSE Average (%)	ATAR Equivalent
50	75
60	80
70	85
76	88
80	90
84	92
88	94
92	96
98	98

For example, a student with 84% in their best four CBSE or ICSE subjects will be considered to have an ATAR of 92.

Step-by-Step Guide for Students

1. Calculate your average

   • Add up marks from your best four subjects and divide by 4.

   • Ignore decimal values (for example, 88.75% is treated as 88%).

2. Match with ATAR

   • Use the conversion table to find the ATAR equivalent.

3. Check English requirements

   • Some universities require a minimum English score (for example, at least 60% in English Core).

     
     

Important Considerations

• The conversion is indicative and may vary between universities. Always check the latest entry requirements.

• Universities like the University of Western Australia (UWA) and others officially accept this conversion.

• Both CBSE and ICSE students are assessed using the same ATAR bands.

  
  

Practical Example

Suppose a student scores 95, 91, 87, and 82 in their best four subjects.

• Average = (95 + 91 + 87 + 82) ÷ 4 = 88.75 → 88%

• ATAR equivalent = 94

This ATAR can then be used to check eligibility for admission to different Australian universities.

Conclusion

For CBSE and ICSE students, understanding ATAR conversion is essential when planning to study in Australia. While the conversion table provides a clear guideline, always confirm with your target university’s admissions office for the most accurate requirements.

To know more about ATAR and how it works,check out this blog: Understanding ATAR scores: A simple guide for international Students

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