How to prepare for year 12: A guide from year 10 to uni

This guide walks you through how to prepare for year 12 and deciding your next steps beyond high school.

Year 12 can feel like the biggest year of your life, but it's also important to remember that there's no single "right" path, and your ATAR is just one entry option among many. The students who thrive are usually the ones who started preparing early so make sure to use the resources, tools and people around you at every stage of the journey.

Year 10

Year 10 is the time to explore and there's no pressure to have everything figured out yet.

Start by thinking about what subjects and activities genuinely excite you. Whether that's sport, art, science, debating, or something else entirely, begin by browsing career guides and course finders to match those interests to possible courses and careers.

Ask the right questions

A key part of exploring is knowing what questions to ask and who to ask them to. Your school's career counsellor is a great starting point, but you can also ask the adults in your life about their careers, pathways and studies. This can help give you an idea of the career pathways and day-to-day possibilities of different industries. Don't forget about Open Day! RMIT's Open Day isn't just for Year 12 students and will give you the opportunity to interact with current university students as well as university staff, giving you an understanding of what kinds of study and work might appeal to you.

Questions to ask your career counsellor

Based on the subjects I enjoy, what careers or industries would suit me?
Which VCE subjects will keep my course options open?
Are there any prerequisite subjects I should know about for the university or TAFE courses I am interested in?
What pathways are available to work in the career I’m interested in?
Which universities would be best suited to me?

Questions to ask the adults in your life

What subjects or interests in school lead you to your career?
Did you always know what career you wanted, or did your plans change over time?
What does a normal day in your job actually look like?
What do you enjoy most and least about your work?
What study or experience helped you to get into your career?

Questions to ask at Open Day

What subjects are helpful or required for this course?
What are the entry requirements or early entry options?
Are there work experience or overseas study opportunities?
What careers do graduates typically go into?
What pathway options exist into this degree?
Should I do a double degree?

Consider what type of study is right for you

University isn't the only option and depending on what you want to study, TAFE may be a better choice for you.

Undergraduate degrees, certificates, diplomas, and apprenticeships each suit different goals. For example, if you want to become a carpenter, a certificate or pre-apprenticeship would be more appropriate than a bachelor's degree.

The difference between university and TAFE

Upcoming events

Visit open days, study expos, and campus tours to get a feel for what university and TAFE looks like in practice.

International students connect and collaborate on Bundoora campus

RMIT Open Day

Enjoy live music, food and fun activities while you explore our campuses, discover study options and more at RMIT's Open Day.

Campus Tours

Tour one of our Melbourne campuses and explore our hands-on, industry-engaged facilities.

Become a student for a day

Get a taste of life after high school and become a Student For a Day at RMIT.

Virtual tours

Can't visit in person? Watch one of our virtual tours and discover what it’s like to study at RMIT.

Year 11

Choose subjects you love, not subjects that scale

Motivation is one of the biggest factors in Year 12 performance.

You're far more likely to put in the work for subjects you care about, meaning the best subjects to choose are the ones you're genuinely interested in rather than the subjects with the most favourable scaling. Plus, studying the subjects you enjoy most will also help you understand what you want to pursue in further study and your future career.

Some courses require you to complete specific subjects in Year 12 in order to be eligible for admission into the degree.

If there’s a course you’re considering, make sure to check for any prerequisites so you can factor it into your subject selection.

What is subject scaling?

Subjects are scaled to adjust for the fact that some subjects attract a more competitive cohort of students. It's based on how you perform relative to other students who took the same subject.

For example, if a subject like Specialist Maths attracts high-achieving students, scores are scaled up to reflect that cohort.

This ensures that a high score in one subject is comparable to a high score in different subject and provides a fairer comparison of all students undertaking the VCE so universities can select applicants fairly.

Beyond subject selection, Year 11 is the time to build the study habits that will carry you through Year 12:

Start studying for tests and SACs well in advance, don't wait until the night before
Identify the subjects or topics you’re finding challenging early so you have time to address them
Get comfortable asking teachers and peers for help
Create a study plan that protects your downtime as much as your study time.

Additional entry requirements

Some courses also have additional entry requirements, such as selection tasks. Many creative courses, such as the Bachelor of Graphic Design and the Bachelor of Fashion (Design) will require a portfolio. If any of the courses you’re considering requires a portfolio for application, start collecting your work now and you’ll thank yourself later.

Understanding your ATAR and entry options

It is helpful to understand how the admission process works before you commence Year 12, so nothing comes as a surprise in the middle of your studies. Start by looking at what ATAR range is typical for the courses you’re interested in, then look at what other pathways exist into those same courses.

Your career counsellor is a good person to talk to if you have any questions.

Find relevant pathways information for the qualification you’re aiming for on each RMIT course page – there's more than one way in for most courses.

ATAR

ATAR stands for Australian Tertiary Admission Rank and it measures your Year 12 results against other students in your age group.

What is an ATAR and how does it work?

Equity access schemes

Equity access schemes can affect your selection rank in meaningful ways so it’s worth understanding whether any apply to your situation.

Check your eligibility

VTAC

If you’re studying in Victoria, familiarise yourself with how VTAC works now, to maximise your time to plan around it.

VTAC course information and applications

RMIT Pathways tool

Pathways can help you achieve your study goals, even if you don’t meet the entry requirements for your ideal course.

Use the tool

Year 12

Study smarter, not harder

The following tips will help you succeed and achieve the ATAR you want, while keeping your stress down at the same time.

Tip 1: Plan ahead

Map out every SAC, assignment, and exam date in your calendar as early as possible. Having a clear picture of what's coming helps you stay ahead rather than constantly catching up.

Tip 2: Consistency beats cramming

Small, regular study sessions outperform last minute marathons and they're far less stressful.

Tip 3: Start practice exams early

Get into past exams and practice papers early, not just in the week before exams. The sooner you're familiar with the format and style of questions, the more confident you'll feel.

The best practice material is the real thing. VCAA past exams are the closest thing to what you’ll see on the day. The sooner you’re working through them, the better prepared you’ll be.

Tip 4: Mix up your study methods

Take the time to figure out what study methods work for you. Flashcards, mind maps, study groups, explaining concepts out loud – experiment until something sticks, because everyone learns differently.

Tip 5: Balance study with everything else

Don't feel like you need to give up everything else to succeed. Part-time work and hobbies are important for maintaining balance and giving yourself a real break from study. If things get really hard, talking to someone you trust – whether that’s a friend, family member, or your school counsellor – is always an option.

Tip 6: Lean on your teachers

Your teachers want you to succeed, they know the subject inside out, and they're one of the best resources you have access to.

How to get a good ATAR

Navigating VTAC (or the admissions centre in your state)

If you've been thinking about your university preferences since Year 11, you're already ahead. When it comes time to submit, list as many preferences as you can and put the course you want most at the top, regardless of the ATAR cutoff.

Keep track of key dates including early application deadlines and Change of Preference rounds. Victorian students can find everything they need on the VTAC website. If you’re interstate, check your state’s admissions centre for equivalent information and dates.

Next steps

School leaver hub

Explore our hands-on courses and discover the steps to making your VTAC preference count.

Career guides

Discover what your chosen profession involves, what working in the field is like, and follow clear steps to reach your dream career.

Scholarships

RMIT offers scholarships for both vocational (TAFE) and university students, including access and equity, merit-based, and industry-funded options.

Which Open Day is right for you

RMIT Open Day is your chance to get firsthand experience with your future university. But what’s the difference between each campus and which is right for you?

Contact us

Have more questions? Our friendly staff at Study@RMIT are available five days a week to assist you.

Alternatively, keep in touch with us to find out about study options, campus life and upcoming events on our social media channels.

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