Dance: scaling 2026, assessment & grade cut-offs
official VTAC & VCAA data · 2026 forecastA raw study score of 40 in Dance scaled to 37.0 in the 2025 VTAC report, and is forecast to scale to about 37.9 in 2026. Dance scales down: a raw score is worth less than its face value; at a raw 40 its scaling has fallen by 2.0 points since 2022. The 2025 mean study score was 28.0.
Dance scaling: raw to scaled study scoreOfficial VTAC scaling reports 2022–2025, plus the 2026 forecast (a recency-weighted blend of the last six reports).
| Raw study score | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 forecast |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 50.0 | 50.0 | 50.0 | 50.0 | 50.0 |
| 45 | 44.0 | 44.0 | 44.0 | 43.0 | 43.5 |
| 40 | 39.0 | 38.0 | 39.0 | 37.0 | 37.9 |
| 35 | 34.0 | 33.0 | 33.0 | 32.0 | 32.6 |
| 30 | 29.0 | 28.0 | 28.0 | 27.0 | 27.6 |
| 25 | 24.0 | 23.0 | 23.0 | 23.0 | 23.1 |
| 20 | 19.0 | 19.0 | 18.0 | 18.0 | 18.2 |
Scaled scores between VTAC's published anchor points are interpolated. See every subject's scaling curve and the method and accuracy.
How Dance is assessedDefault weights from the VCAA study design; the calculator lets you edit them.
| Assessment | Type | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Unit 3–4 SACs | school-assessed | 25% |
| Performance exam | external | 50% |
| Written exam | external | 25% |
Dance grade cut-offs 2026: forecastThe lowest mark each grade starts at, forecast from the last three years' official VCAA cut-offs. Typical error is shown as "likely ±".
Coursework Units 3–4 school-assessed · out of 250 · forecast state average 80%
| A+ | A | B+ | B | C+ | C | D+ | D | E+ | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 forecast | 230 | 209 | 194 | 176 | 161 | 127 | 98 | 68 | 50 | 25 |
| likely ± | 2.8 | 3.8 | 4.3 | 5.3 | 6.0 | 7.8 | 7.5 | 8.5 | 7.5 | 4.3 |
| 2025 actual | 227 | 206 | 192 | 173 | 158 | 119 | 100 | 67 | 50 | 25 |
| 2024 actual | 235 | 212 | 196 | 180 | 164 | 140 | 100 | 75 | 50 | 25 |
| 2023 actual | 232 | 212 | 195 | 180 | 166 | 133 | 83 | 56 | 50 | 25 |
Performance Examination external · out of 320 · forecast state average 78%
| A+ | A | B+ | B | C+ | C | D+ | D | E+ | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 forecast | 319 | 300 | 272 | 247 | 222 | 186 | 144 | 82 | 64 | 32 |
| likely ± | 9.9 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 9.9 | 5.8 |
| 2025 actual | 319 | 300 | 272 | 247 | 222 | 186 | 144 | 82 | 64 | 32 |
Written Examination external · out of 160 · forecast state average 63%
| A+ | A | B+ | B | C+ | C | D+ | D | E+ | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 forecast | 143 | 131 | 119 | 108 | 89 | 74 | 59 | 43 | 22 | 11 |
| likely ± | 5.0 | 5.6 | 6.2 | 6.7 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 6.9 | 6.6 | 5.0 | 2.9 |
| 2025 actual | 139 | 128 | 115 | 105 | 85 | 71 | 58 | 44 | 21 | 8 |
| 2024 actual | 147 | 135 | 125 | 110 | 95 | 78 | 60 | 38 | 22 | 16 |
| 2023 actual | 150 | 137 | 126 | 113 | 96 | 79 | 62 | 47 | 25 | 16 |
Cut-offs change every year with how hard the assessment is, so a harder paper can move every grade together. See the full 2025 grade distribution for Dance →
About Dance
Technique, choreography and performance analysis with a 50% performance exam.
- Formal recognition of serious training
- Performance exam suits stage-comfortable students
- Physical + analytical mix
Typical time commitment: 4–6 hours a week outside class.
Dance questions
What does a study score of 40 in Dance scale to?
In the 2025 VTAC scaling report a raw 40 in Dance scaled to 37.0. ATARtools forecasts about 37.9 for 2026, from a recency-weighted blend of the last six reports. Treat it as a guide: VTAC publishes the real 2026 numbers in December.
Is Dance scaled up or down?
Dance scales down: a raw score is worth less than its face value. In 2025 a raw 30 scaled to 27.0, a raw 40 to 37.0 and a raw 45 to 43.0. For 2026 the forecast is 27.6, 37.9 and 43.5. At a raw 40, scaling has fallen by 2.0 points since 2022.
What mark do I need for an A+ in the Dance Performance Examination?
We forecast the 2026 A+ cut-off at about 319 out of 320 (likely ±9.9 marks) and an A from about 300. For reference the A+ cut-off was 319 in 2025. The forecast is the recency-weighted average of the last three years' official cut-offs.
What mark do I need for an A+ in the Dance Written Examination?
We forecast the 2026 A+ cut-off at about 143 out of 160 (likely ±5.0 marks) and an A from about 131. For reference the A+ cut-off was 139 in 2025, 147 in 2024 and 150 in 2023. The forecast is the recency-weighted average of the last three years' official cut-offs.
How is Dance assessed?
Unit 3–4 SACs (25%), Performance exam (50%), Written exam (25%). School-assessed marks are statistically moderated against the external exam results, then the study score is scaled by VTAC for the ATAR.