Bonus Rank Scheme FAQs

Bonus Scheme for Languages Other than English (LOTE), Maths C and Enrichment Studies

OP Students
Q: I am a current Queensland Year 12 student qualifying for an OP. How will bonus points be applied to my OP?

A: A student’s OP is converted to a Queensland entry rank to which the bonus points are applied. The student then competes on the basis of the new rank. Each year a conversion table is developed, based upon the most recent data available to the Queensland Studies Authority and QTAC, who in turn maps OPs to the equivalent entry rank. An entry rank is not the same as an OP and one rank does not necessarily equate to one OP. Some OPs map to a 'band' of ranks rather than a single rank. For example, from 2007 to 2009 an OP 2 mapped to a rank 98. However for 2010 students, an OP 2 mapped to a band that included both rank 97 and rank 98.

As OPs are quite a broad measure, it is not possible for the University to differentiate with any accuracy where in the rank band any particular student's OP lies. As a result, any bonus point will be applied to the bottom rank in the band. For example, if you get an OP 2 in 2011 and are entitled to bonus points, the University will need to wait until the 2011 conversion table is ready to know what rank (or rank band) your OP maps to. The bonus point will then be applied to the lowest rank in that band.

To find out more about the conversion of OPs to ranks, please click here.

Students applying from interstate
Q: I am completing my secondary studies interstate and do not get an OP. Instead we get an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR). Can I still get the bonus points for my studies in German?

A: Yes, you can still get the bonus points. Your ATAR will be converted to QTAC entry rank and the bonus points will be added to this rank. QTAC determines points of comparison between ATARs and entry ranks each year so that equitable selection on the basis of merit for all applicants can occur. For further details, please click here.

LOTE bonus for first language
Q: Can I get the LOTE bonus if the LOTE subject I complete is my native language?

A: Yes, the LOTE bonus is available to eligible students for any Queensland Studies Authority LOTE subject (and equivalent interstate/overseas subjects) regardless of their first language.

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Senior External Examinations for OP students
Q: I am currently completing senior internally in Queensland. Can I get bonus points for completing a LOTE or Maths C through Senior External Examinations?

A: Yes, if the LOTE or Maths C subject is an Authority subject, and is reported on your senior certificate, you are eligible for this bonus.

Q: I am not a current Year 12 school-leaver as I completed studies back in 2006. Can I get bonus points for completing a LOTE or Maths C through Senior External Examinations?

A: No, you are not eligible for this bonus scheme as it is only available to students who are completing senior internally in the year of application.

MBBS provisional entry for school Leavers
Q: If the addition of bonus points takes me up to an OP 1 equivalence (i.e. rank 99), will I become eligible for MBBS Provisional entry, which is limited to OP 1 (or rank 99) students?

A: Yes. If on application of bonus points, you get a rank of 99, you will be eligible for consideration for provisional entry to MBBS. Differentiation between OP 1 and rank 99 applicants will be on the basis of UMAT scores.

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Students with an OP1 or rank 99
Q:  How will this bonus scheme help me if I get an OP1?

A: If you already have an OP 1 before the application of any bonus points, the Bonus Rank Scheme will have no impact, positive or negative, on your admission. The programs that usually have a cut off within the OP1/rank 99 band are MBBS (Provisional Entry for school leavers) and Dental Science. In these programs the UMAT scores for applicants will be used to differentiate between OP 1/rank 99 students. Please note the UMAT score is not affected by the application of a bonus.

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OP Ineligible students
Q: I am completing Senior in Queensland this year but will not be qualifying for an OP. QTAC informs me that they will calculate an entry rank for me based on my subject results and performance in the Quensland Core Skills Test (QCST). Given that I’m not getting an OP, can I still get the bonus points?

A: Yes, you may have bonus points added to the OP-ineligible entry rank that QTAC will calculate on the basis of the number of subjects completed in Year 12. To calculate entry ranks for OP ineligible students, QTAC uses the achievement levels for Authority, Authority-registered and approved Vocational Educational and Training (VET) subjects reported on the Senior Statement only. Students completing Year 12 with fewer than 20 semester units of Authority, Authority-registered and VET subjects may still be eligible for an entry rank, however, the entry ranks will be less competitive than if they had they completed 20 semester units. QTAC produces a rank conversion table each December.

Subjects that combine 2 or more Queensland Senior subjects
Q: I am completing Mathematics, Mathematics Extension 1 and Mathematics Extension 2 in NSW which meets the Maths B and Maths C prerequisites. Am I eligible for the Maths C bonus points?

A: Yes, as you have covered the content of Queensland Maths C, you are eligible for the Maths C bonus points.

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LOTE Bonus for first language subjects in GCE A Levels
Q: I am an Australian citizen and I am doing GCE A levels overseas. QTAC have advised me that my A level results in Japanese will not be included in the calculation of my A level aggregate and entry rank as it is my native language. However, will I still get the LOTE bonus points?

A: Yes, as this subject is equivalent to the Authority Japanese subject, you are eligible for the bonus points.

Less than 4 semester units of eligible subjects
Q: I have completed less than 4 semester units of LOTE and Maths C. Will I get bonus points if I have completed less than 4 semester units in LOTE and/or Maths C?

A: No, you are not eligible for the bonus scheme as the bonus is only available if you have 4 semesters of Sound Achievement or better (or equivalent).

Less than 4 semester units of eligible subjects: Transfer students
Q: I completed Year 11 overseas and have moved to Queensland this year, where I am completing Year 12. I have been told that I will get an OP because the QSA has given me credit for my Year 11, but I will only have 2 semesters reported for all my subjects, including Maths B and C. Will I get the bonus points for Maths C, considering I have completed only 2 semester units in Queensland?

A: Yes. If the QSA has determined that you have covered the relevant content of Maths C overseas and accordingly granted you concessional units of study to notionally make you eligible for an OP, then you will be eligible for the bonus points on the basis of your 2 semesters of Sound Achievement in Maths C and the concessional units.

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Additional Bonus points for more advanced subjects?
Q: I am completing 5 A level subjects including Maths and Chinese. Someone I know who is doing the same subjects as me at AS levels has been told that he can get 4 bonus points for each subject. Since A levels are more advanced than AS levels, will I get more bonus points?

A: No, only the standard 2 bonus points are available for Maths C and Authority subjects offered by the QSA, and any senior subjects from other qualifications which are at the same or higher level. AS Level subjects are equivalent to Queensland Senior, and there are no additional points for A Level studies.

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Which Languages qualify?
LOTE authority subjects offered by the Queensland Studies Authority (and the same subjects from other approved senior programs) qualify for the LOTE bonus (see the list below).

Additionally, other LOTE subjects offered in standard internal senior programs in other Australian states (and accepted overseas equivalents) which count towards the calculation of the Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) also qualify for the bonus.

For a list of interstate (including International Baccalaureate) minimum requirements for Sound Achievement equivalency, please click here.

LOTE authority subjects offered by the Queensland Studies Authority
For a list of LOTE authority subjects offered by the Queensland Studies Authority, please click here.

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