The 2024 Higher School Certificate (HSC) results are in, marking the culmination of 13 years of education for more than 57,000 students across New South Wales. As one of the largest cohorts in recent history, this year’s results highlight the dedication, academic excellence, and resilience of Year 12 students.
In this blog, we’ll explore the standout statistics, the challenges and rewards of achieving top ATARs, and what this year’s performance says about the HSC landscape.
Key HSC ATAR Statistics for 2024
Before diving into the rankings and analysis, let’s review some key highlights from the 2024 HSC ATAR results:
- 57,194 students received an ATAR in 2024, an increase of 1,671 students from 2023.
- The median ATAR was 71.55, slightly higher than last year’s 71.00.
- 51 students achieved the highest ATAR of 99.95 (1 in 1,121 students).
- 42 males and 9 females achieved 99.95.
- 17.8% of students scored an ATAR of 90.00 or above.
- 35.5% of students achieved an ATAR of at least 80.00.
- The median ATAR for females was 72.40, compared to 70.40 for males.
The data underscores consistent academic performance across NSW schools and reflects the significant effort put in by students, teachers, and families.
Top Performing Schools for HSC 2024
The 2024 HSC results highlight exceptional performances across NSW, with North Sydney Boys High School emerging as the top performer for the second consecutive year. Nearly 65% of their HSC entries achieved a Band 6 result (a mark of 90 or above), narrowly surpassing James Ruse Agricultural High School, which recorded an impressive 63% of Band 6 entries.
Sydney Grammar School climbed to third place with 56% Band 6 results, while Normanhurst Boys High Schoolsecured fourth position with 55%. Rounding out the top five was Reddam House, which missed fourth place by a margin of just 0.01%.
Notable movements included Hornsby Girls High School, which rose eight places to become the highest-ranked all-girls school, and North Sydney Girls High School, securing a strong eighth place despite a slight drop in rankings. Public academically selective schools dominated the leaderboard, with ten making the top 20, including Sydney Girls High School, which climbed four spots.
Among non-selective schools, Willoughby Girls High School ranked 55th overall and remains the highest-performing non-selective public school, with one in four entries achieving a Band 6. Similarly, Carlingford High School led comprehensive coeducational public schools at 72nd place. Regional schools also made significant strides, with Barrenjoey High School jumping over 200 places after increasing their Band 6 entries to 13.5%, and Scone High School achieving notable improvements.
The Challenge of Achieving a 99.95 ATAR
Achieving an ATAR of 99.95, the highest possible score, remains an extraordinary accomplishment. This year, 51 students attained this rank, representing 0.1% of the total cohort.
To give some perspective:
- Students have a 1 in 1,121 chance of receiving a 99.95 ATAR.
- The 42 male and 9 female students achieving this top rank came from a mix of government and non-government schools.
- These students studied 34 different courses out of the 116 HSC courses offered, highlighting the diversity of subjects undertaken by top performers.
ATAR Distribution: How Did Students Perform Overall?
The ATAR distribution table below breaks down the number and percentage of students achieving specific ATAR ranges, providing insights into performance at different levels:
| ATAR Range | Number of Students | Percentage on or Above |
|---|---|---|
| 99.00 - 99.95 | 1,017 | 1.8% |
| 95.00 - 98.95 | 4,078 | 8.9% |
| 90.00 - 94.95 | 5,094 | 17.8% |
| 80.00 - 89.95 | 9,124 | 35.5% |
| 70.00 - 79.95 | 9,752 | 52.6% |
| 60.00 - 69.95 | 9,028 | 68.4% |
This table highlights that over half (52.6%) of the students achieved an ATAR of 70 or above, indicating strong overall performance across the state.
Top Performing Schools and Subject Insights
While individual student names remain confidential, many NSW schools proudly celebrated standout performances, including multiple students achieving ATARs above 99.
The preliminary scaling report also highlights the diversity of subjects studied by high achievers. Some key insights include:
- Subjects like Mathematics Extension 1 and 2, Physics, and Chemistry continue to scale well and feature prominently among high achievers.
- A total of 34 different courses were studied by students who achieved a 99.95 ATAR, reflecting both academic rigour and a wide range of interests.
This diversity underscores the value of choosing subjects based on strengths and interests, a principle echoed in advice to students preparing for their HSC.
Key Observations: Male and Female Performance
The 2024 HSC results revealed some key trends when comparing male and female student performance:
- Female students had a higher median ATAR of 72.40 compared to 70.40 for male students.
- However, more males (42) achieved the top rank of 99.95 than females (9).
These results reflect ongoing gendered trends in performance across different subject areas and academic pathways.
What Does Scaling Mean for HSC Results?
As highlighted in the Preliminary Scaling Report, scaling plays a significant role in determining the ATAR:
- HSC marks indicate a standard of achievement, while scaled marks position students relative to their peers across all subjects.
- High-scaling subjects, such as Mathematics Extension 2 and Languages, reward students who perform well in these challenging areas.
- It’s important for students to choose subjects they excel in and enjoy, as performance in these subjects ultimately has the greatest impact on ATAR outcomes.
For more details on how scaling works, check out the UAC’s ATAR Essentials guide.
Advice for Future HSC Students and Parents
With the 2024 HSC results setting benchmarks for academic excellence, here are some tips for students choosing subjects and preparing for their final years of school:
- Play to Your Strengths: Choose subjects you are passionate about and excel in.
- Understand Scaling: While scaling matters, achieving strong raw marks is key to maximising your ATAR.
- Stay Consistent: Balance your workload and ensure steady preparation throughout the year.
- Seek Support: Tutoring services, such as those offered by Learnmate, can help clarify concepts, boost confidence, and improve performance.
- Set Realistic Goals: Use resources like UAC’s ATAR calculators to plan and set achievable targets.
Conclusion: Celebrating Success in 2024
The 2024 HSC results reflect the dedication, hard work, and perseverance of NSW students. With 51 students achieving the prestigious 99.95 ATAR, and over 17.8% of students scoring above 90.00, it’s clear that academic excellence remains a hallmark of the HSC.
Whether you are a current student preparing for the HSC, a parent supporting your child, or an educator guiding the next generation, these results highlight the importance of effort, strategy, and passion in achieving success.
If you’re looking to maximise your performance in 2025, Learnmate offers expert HSC tutoring services to help you succeed. Start your HSC journey today!
