All things considered means after taking all facts and circumstances into account. The correct answer is this meaning because the expression is used figuratively, not only by its literal words.

Examples:

• All things considered, the result was satisfactory.
• In an HSC essay, All things considered can express this meaning: after taking all facts and circumstances into account.
• When this expression appears in a passage, connect All things considered with the idea of after taking all facts and circumstances into account.