HSC to GPA: how the NCAA converts HSC marks

The NCAA converts NSW results to US points with two tables: one for the A to E grades most schools use in Years 9 and 10, and one for marks out of 100 in Years 11 and 12. An HSC mark of 90 or more is worth 4.0, 70 to 89 is 3.0 and 50 to 69 is 2.0. Your ATAR doesn't come into it.

Years 9 and 10

Grade	Meaning	US grade points
A	Outstanding	4.0
B	High	3.0
C	Sound	2.0
D	Basic	1.0
E	Limited	0.0

Some schools use these grades for Years 11 and 12 as well.

HSC and Record of Achievement marks

Mark	US grade points
90 to 100	4.0
70 to 89	3.0
50 to 69	2.0
30 to 49	1.0
0 to 29	0.0

What each HSC band is worth

The NCAA converts by mark, not by band, so two bands can be worth the same:

• Band 6 (90 to 100): 4.0
• Band 5 (80 to 89) and Band 4 (70 to 79): 3.0
• Band 3 (60 to 69) and Band 2 (50 to 59): 2.0
• Band 1 (under 50): 1.0 for 30 to 49, 0.0 below 30

These are from the NCAA's guide for New South Wales (September 2026).

Which subjects count

Only core subjects count: English, maths, science, social sciences such as history, geography and legal studies, and a few others such as languages.

• Named as approved for NSW: General Mathematics, Mathematics, Mathematics Extension 1 and 2, Investigating Science, Science Extension, Aboriginal Studies (Years 11 and 12), Religion (Years 11 and 12) and Studies of Religion.
• Named as not approved: PDHPE, Health and Movement Science, Physical Education and Commerce. PDHPE is the one families most often assume will count.
• Not core anywhere: art, music, drama, design and technology, food subjects and VET certificates. They still count towards the NAIA's overall GPA.

The full list is on the New South Wales page.

A worked example

One semester of Year 12 for a made up NSW student:

Subject	Mark	US grade points
English Advanced	84	3.0
Mathematics	91	4.0
Biology	76	3.0
Modern History	68	2.0
PDHPE	88	Doesn't count

Four core subjects for one semester make 2 core courses. The core GPA for that semester is 3.0: (3 + 4 + 3 + 2) divided by 4. The NCAA does the same across every semester from Year 9 to Year 12, so Year 9 and 10 grades count as much as the HSC.

Proof you finished school

Send the printed HSC and Record of Achievement. The HSC issued as an e-record isn't accepted, and neither is the ATAR. A Level IV Certificate in Tertiary Preparation from TAFE is also accepted.

Work out yours

Put your grades into the GPA calculator. It uses the NCAA's NSW tables and shows your core GPA and core courses straight away. For why the ATAR doesn't count, see ATAR to GPA.

This is general guidance from the NCAA's published guide. Only the NCAA Eligibility Center can decide your eligibility.

Sources: NCAA Guide to International Academic Standards: New South Wales (September 2026), NCAA initial eligibility requirements.