Year 12s do keep trying after early offers

NEW research shows the benefits of early entry offers to students – and no downsides to their final year outcomes.

In recent years the growth in the number of early offers made has increased. Applying for an early offer is seen as a way to ease the high-stakes pressure of the final year on Year 12 students, but there are escalating concerns that an early offer risks students reducing their effort as they approach their final exams.

A joint study between the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) and UNSW of more than 1,500 Year 12 students has found that whether a student applied for uni and/or received an early offer (or not), did not have much bearing on their subsequent ATAR, motivation, effort, study burnout or personal wellbeing.

While those that received an early offer had a lift in academic buoyancy – these students reported being able to better overcome academic challenge as they approached their final exams – the effect was small.

Overall, there were very few differences in final year outcomes as a function of students’ early entry status. In fact, the strongest predictors of students’ final year results are factors such as prior learning, motivation and effort.

Details of the study can be found in The Conversation.

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Diane Jardine, Communications Coordinator, UAC on 0436 459 603, or
Kim Paino, Chief Strategy and Engagement Officer, UAC on 0409 155 112