Scarlets had to come from behind to beat Treviso 17-13 on the final day to secure the crucial sixth spot and qualification to European rugby's top table
The report card has been better, with the Scarlets finishing 18 points behind champions Glasgow Warriors and 17 below the leading Welsh club Ospreys, but crucially, the pass mark was achieved.
Speaking at the GUINNESS PRO12 launch in London, Pivac said: "We'd like to be the number one team in Wales. Obviously Ospreys were that last year and we were tucked in behind them.
"We got a good win over them at our place but we want to be more consistent in our performances against all of the sides really.
"We want to push on this year and improve on our top six finish - we certainly don't want to leave European qualification until the last week again.
"We also want to try to rattle the cage of the top four.
"We need to start the season well because we don't want to be chasing the pack like we were last season, which was tough going.
"I'd probably give us a C pass mark for last season but we're looking at the first block without the World Cup players now so a fast start is going to be crucial.
"The club has had a presence in Europe and wanted to maintain that, so there was a lot of pressure to qualify in that sixth spot.
"We had a ding dong battle with Connacht and Edinburgh over the last month but we got there in the end and we want to improve on that this season."
Like most of the teams in the GUINNESS PRO12, the Scarlets will be without a number of key players in the opening weeks of the season, with the likes of Liam Williams, Samson Lee, Jake Ball and Scott Williams expected to be named in Wales' World Cup squad.
The squad strength will be as important as ever and Pivac has been pleased with a number of performances during the pre-season wins over Jersey and the Dragons.
Pivac said: "Young Steff Evans finished the season on the wing for us against Treviso and he's running at full-back at the moment with Jordan Williams out and Liam Williams away. He's been going well in the pre-season so he's one to keep an eye on.
"Then there are a couple of other guys to look out for. Lewis Rawlins broke into the team last season and I expect a big year from him. Then young Tom Price and Morgan Allen, who have come to us from other clubs, have been putting their hands up in the pre-season games.
"The new guys have all fitted in well and we've had a good six weeks. We've got a couple of new coaches so there is some learning for the players but they have all adapted quite well."
The Scarlets' final pre-season game is against Bedford Blues on Sunday before the GUINNESS PRO12 campaign kicks off at Glasgow Warriors' Scotstoun Stadium on Saturday, September 5.
Follow us on Facebook, join the conversation on Twitter, sign up to our YouTube channel for extensive match highlights and sign up for our newsletter for regular updates on the GUINNESS PRO12
Guinness PRO12 Scarlets News
63x46.png){kind=logo}