Drama: scaling 2026, assessment & grade cut-offs
official VTAC & VCAA data · 2026 forecastA raw study score of 40 in Drama scaled to 39.0 in the 2025 VTAC report, and is forecast to scale to about 39.0 in 2026. Drama scales down: a raw score is worth less than its face value; at a raw 40 its scaling has stayed about the same since 2022. The 2025 mean study score was 28.5.
Drama 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 | 45.0 | 44.5 |
| 40 | 39.0 | 39.0 | 39.0 | 39.0 | 39.0 |
| 35 | 33.0 | 34.0 | 33.0 | 33.0 | 33.1 |
| 30 | 28.0 | 28.0 | 28.0 | 28.0 | 28.0 |
| 25 | 23.0 | 23.0 | 23.0 | 23.0 | 23.0 |
| 20 | 18.0 | 18.0 | 18.0 | 18.0 | 18.0 |
Scaled scores between VTAC's published anchor points are interpolated. See every subject's scaling curve and the method and accuracy.
How Drama is assessedDefault weights from the VCAA study design; the calculator lets you edit them.
| Assessment | Type | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Unit 3–4 SACs | school-assessed | 40% |
| Solo performance exam | external | 35% |
| Written exam | external | 25% |
Drama 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 200 · forecast state average 79%
| A+ | A | B+ | B | C+ | C | D+ | D | E+ | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 forecast | 186 | 172 | 158 | 148 | 137 | 120 | 54 | 48 | 40 | 20 |
| likely ± | 2.2 | 3.0 | 3.4 | 4.2 | 4.8 | 6.2 | 6.0 | 6.8 | 6.0 | 3.4 |
| 2025 actual | 186 | 173 | 159 | 148 | 138 | 120 | 50 | 45 | 40 | 20 |
| 2024 actual | 186 | 172 | 158 | 148 | 135 | 117 | 53 | 45 | 40 | 20 |
| 2023 actual | 186 | 171 | 157 | 147 | 138 | 123 | 74 | 66 | 40 | 20 |
Solo Performance Examination external · out of 300 · forecast state average 71%
| A+ | A | B+ | B | C+ | C | D+ | D | E+ | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 forecast | 283 | 256 | 235 | 215 | 193 | 174 | 147 | 106 | 61 | 30 |
| likely ± | 9.3 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 9.3 | 5.4 |
| 2025 actual | 284 | 257 | 235 | 216 | 194 | 177 | 146 | 90 | 60 | 30 |
| 2024 actual | 282 | 254 | 235 | 214 | 193 | 170 | 148 | 127 | 60 | 30 |
| 2023 actual | 283 | 258 | 233 | 212 | 192 | 173 | 151 | 126 | 70 | 30 |
Written Examination external · out of 120 · forecast state average 65%
| A+ | A | B+ | B | C+ | C | D+ | D | E+ | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 forecast | 101 | 95 | 88 | 81 | 74 | 66 | 55 | 43 | 16 | 12 |
| likely ± | 3.7 | 4.2 | 4.7 | 5.0 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.2 | 4.9 | 3.7 | 2.2 |
| 2025 actual | 101 | 95 | 88 | 81 | 74 | 66 | 55 | 43 | 16 | 12 |
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 Drama →
About Drama
Devise and perform original solo and ensemble work; 35% solo performance exam.
- Creative autonomy — you write your own material
- External solo rewards bold, prepared performers
- Ensemble skills for screen/stage pathways
Typical time commitment: 4–6 hours a week outside class.
Drama questions
What does a study score of 40 in Drama scale to?
In the 2025 VTAC scaling report a raw 40 in Drama scaled to 39.0. ATARtools forecasts about 39.0 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 Drama scaled up or down?
Drama scales down: a raw score is worth less than its face value. In 2025 a raw 30 scaled to 28.0, a raw 40 to 39.0 and a raw 45 to 45.0. For 2026 the forecast is 28.0, 39.0 and 44.5. At a raw 40, scaling has stayed about the same since 2022.
What mark do I need for an A+ in the Drama Solo Performance Examination?
We forecast the 2026 A+ cut-off at about 283 out of 300 (likely ±9.3 marks) and an A from about 256. For reference the A+ cut-off was 284 in 2025, 282 in 2024 and 283 in 2023. 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 Drama Written Examination?
We forecast the 2026 A+ cut-off at about 101 out of 120 (likely ±3.7 marks) and an A from about 95. For reference the A+ cut-off was 101 in 2025. The forecast is the recency-weighted average of the last three years' official cut-offs.
How is Drama assessed?
Unit 3–4 SACs (40%), Solo performance exam (35%), 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.