Looking Beyond the ATAR
Beyond the Number: Why Universities and Employers are looking at the whole person
As parents, we know our children are more than just a mark on a page. They are creative, resilient, curious, and capable of so much more than what an exam can measure alone. And while we’re proud of their academic effort - especially at a school like Caringbah, where excellence is part of the culture - we also know that not every child thrives under high-pressue exam conditions. The good news? Universities and employers know this too.
Universities are changing how they select students
In the past, university offers were almost entirely ATAR-based. Today we are seeing a huge shift towards holistic selection processes - including:
Early Entry Schemes (based on Year 11 results, leadership, community contribution etc..)
Adjustment Factors (recognising subject achievements, disadvantage, location and extra-curriculars)
Alternate Entry Pathways (personal statements, interviews, portfolios, aptitude tests, school recommendation)
Why the change? Because universities want students who bring more than just academic ability. They want engaged, adaptable, and motivated individuals who will thrive both on campus and in the workforce.
What are employers looking for?
Just like universities, employers are shifting focus too - particularly as technology, AI and automation change the job landscape.
Top skills employers and universities value right now..
Adaptability - Can you child learn, unlearn, and relearn as industries evolve?
Resilience - Can they bounce back from set-backs and problem solve under pressue?
Communication - Can they articulate ideas clearly, collaborate, and build relationships?
Critical Thinking - Can they analyse, evaluate, and create solutions?
Digitial Literacy - Can they work with technology confidently?
Emotional Intelligence - Can they show empathy, self-awareness, and social awareness?
Initiative and Leadership - Have they taken responsibility or led in any way (big or small)?
Global and Cultural Awareness - Do they understand how to work with diverse people and perspective?
What does this mean for your child (and for you as a parent)..
The ATAR still plays a role, but it’s not longer the only story.
The focus is shifting to the person behind the mark.. Their story. Their experience. Their potential.
At Caringbah, we are lucky to have a school full of students who are well-rounded, ambitious, and engaged across a wide range of activities and leadership opportunities - inside and outside of the classroom. Your child is already building the kind of future-focused profile that universities and employers love.