The ATAR is not especially sprightly just now, with opponents warning COVID-19 only adds to its unfitness for purpose

But its friends insist that it is still breathing and is not for the policy plague cart.

In NSW, the Universities Admission Centre regularly argues the ATAR will work this year. And federal education minister Dan Tehan says the Australian Curriculum and Assessment Authority has worked on a national-approach to using the ATAR, since the last education minco, a couple of weeks back. Mr Tehan says he expects to have a prop for state and territory ministers next month.