What to Expect on ATAR Results Day in Victoria

Andy Li
Dec 10, 2025
2 min read

ATAR results day is one of the biggest moments for Victorian Year 12 students. Knowing exactly what happens can help you feel prepared and less stressed. Here’s a simple guide to what you’ll receive, how to access your results, and what you can do next.

If you are reading this on the 10/12/2025, good luck for tomorrow!

If you have woken up early or pulled an all nighter on the 11th, good luck for 7am!

How to Access Your Results

You can access your ATAR and VCE results through:

1. The VCE Results and ATAR website

You’ll need:

Your VCAA student number
Your results service password

What You’ll See in Your Results

1. Study Scores

Each subject has a score out of 50.
A score of 30 is the average.
These already include your exam marks and moderated SAC scores.

2. ATAR

A number between 0.00 and 99.95.
It is a rank, not a percentage.
It is based on your scaled study scores.

Emotions to Expect

It’s normal to feel:

Excited
Nervous
Relieved
Or confused by unexpected results

Remember: Results day is emotional for everyone, even students who performed well.

Try not to compare yourself to friends—different pathways suit different people.

What You Can Do Immediately After

1. Change Your VTAC Preferences (If You Want To)

A special Change of Preference (COP) window opens right after results are released.

You can reorder or update your course preferences based on your ATAR.

No one else can see your preferences, so adjust them to suit your goals.

2. Seek Advice

If you’re unsure what to do next:

VTAC runs helplines
Many universities have live chat and advisory services
Your school careers counsellor can help explain your options

3. Check SEAS and Subject Bonuses

If you applied for SEAS or have subject bonuses, these may increase your selection rank for courses—meaning you might still receive an offer even if you're below the published ATAR.

What Happens Next

University Offers

The first major offer round will happen in the weeks after the 11th. You might receive an offer for:

Your first preference
Or a lower preference (depending on your ranking and course demand)

Additional offer rounds follow if you don’t get your top choice.

Pathways If Things Didn’t Go as Planned

Don’t panic—Victoria has many alternatives:

TAFE to university pathways
Diploma-to-degree upgrades
Transferring after first year
Taking bridging courses
Trying again the following year

There is always another route.

Final Thoughts

ATAR results day in Victoria can feel overwhelming, but it’s simply the start of the next chapter. You’ll receive your study scores, your ATAR, and a chance to change your preferences—all on the same day. Whether your results match your expectations or surprise you, there are always multiple pathways to reach your goals.

Written by Andy Li on behalf of the Academic Peak Tutoring team,

10/12/2025