90+ ATARCommon MistakesStudy Tips

Top Mistakes Students Make When Chasing a 90+ ATAR

7 min read
25 September 2025

Introduction

Every year, thousands of students aim for a 90+ ATAR. The good news? It's achievable. The bad news? Many students fall short because of avoidable mistakes.

Here are the top errors that hold students back and how to avoid them.

1. Cramming Instead of Consistency

Cramming might get you through a quiz, but it won't deliver a 90+. High ATAR scorers revise consistently from Term 1.

  • Space your revision across the year
  • Use active recall instead of passive reading
  • Regular quizzes beat marathon cramming sessions

2. Ignoring the Syllabus

Your ATAR exams are written from the syllabus, not your teacher's slides. Students who chase every detail often miss what's actually examinable.

  • Print the syllabus and use it as your checklist
  • Align your notes and practice questions with each dot point

Study Marker makes this simple - you can generate quizzes directly from syllabus points for any subject.

3. Focusing Only on "Strong" Subjects

It's tempting to lean into your favourite subject, but your ATAR is an average across all subjects. Neglecting one can drag everything down.

  • Balance your study time
  • Give weaker subjects more attention early

4. Practising Without Feedback

Writing essay after essay is useless if you don't know what to improve.

  • Always seek feedback on structure, clarity, and content
  • Don't just repeat mistakes - refine after each draft

With Study Marker, you can upload practice essays and get instant AI-powered feedback.

5. Burning Out Before Finals

High achievers sometimes sabotage themselves by doing too much. Remember: quality > quantity.

  • Protect your sleep and mental health
  • Build in rest days during heavy revision blocks

Create ATAR Study Quizzes

Generate practice quizzes from your syllabus and upload essays for instant feedback.

Avoid common mistakes and achieve your 90+ ATAR goal with smart study tools.

Final Thought

A 90+ ATAR is about strategy as much as effort. Avoid these mistakes, stay consistent, and use smart tools to guide your improvement.

Related Articles

ATAR Study Plan: How to Stay on Track From Term 1 to Finals

Learn how to create an effective ATAR study plan that keeps you organized from Term 1 to finals.

Study Tips to Get Band 6s in the HSC and Boost Your ATAR

Discover proven study tips to achieve Band 6 results in the HSC and boost your ATAR with effective strategies.

Achieve Your 90+ ATAR Goal

Join thousands of students avoiding common mistakes and achieving high ATAR scores with smart strategies.