WA Education Minister Tony Buti says he is concerned high school students are choosing "easier" alternative pathways to university to avoid the stress of ATAR exams.
New data released by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority showed the number of students who studied four ATAR subjects dropped by about 1,000 in 2022 from the previous year.
Mr Buti told ABC Radio Perth host Ivo Da Silva that he did not think students should be choosing alternative pathways, such as early offers and bridging courses, to avoid stress.
"Mental health is obviously incredibly important for every individual, but the reality is that you can't go through life without some degree of stress," he said.
"We have to also build resilience.
The number of full-time year 12 students who sat four or more ATAR exams slumped from 11,423 in 2021 to 10,380 in 2022.
Mr Buti said he worried non-ATAR options were not adequately preparing students for university and could be setting students up for failure.
Students who receive early enrolment offers from universities, based on their performance at school, are not required to submit an ATAR score to be accepted.
"Yes, we want students to go to university, but we want them to be better prepared," Mr Buti said.
"There are many of these students that could do four ATAR subjects and do really well but, of course, they take an easy pathway."
Mr Buti said universities should be providing data to show how many students are enrolling through various avenues, and the success rates of those who did ATAR compared with alternative pathways.