Scholarship Test Types and Formats

ACER Scholarship Tests

ACER (Australian Council for Educational Research) produces CSTP, SST, PSP and ACEP tests in the past and now Cooperative (Cooperative Scholarship Testing Program CSTP), Alternative Date and ACEP (SA schools only) scholarship test programs, supplies them to schools, marks the test papers and reports the results to schools. Candidates should register directly with schools, NOT ACER. ACER does NOT report test results directly to candidates. Your child's results will usually be available approximately 3-4 weeks after the test date by mail from the school or online (with email notification if opted by the school).

The difference between Cooperative and Alternative date scholarship tests is that Cooperative test is held with one set of test papers shared by the participating schools while Alternative date test is written for only one school. The Alternative date tests are usually conducted from mid February to mid March. ACER must receive your request NO LATER than 4 weeks prior to the school's test date.

Applicants who have applied for alternative date schools should sit the test at each school on their nominated test date. If more than one alternative date school is testing on a particular date you will need to choose one school to register and sit for. Schools who do not use the cooperative program are 'stand alone' schools who do not share results with other schools. Check whether the schools you have applied for are 'Cooperative' or 'Alternative date' in ACER test dates and participating schools.

Cooperative scholarship test is held on one day, click here for details. It's a cooperative test, meaning that candidates can register with more than one school in order of preference, but they only need to sit the test once as the test results are passed onto all the schools a candidate has registered with. Note that Western Australia Cooperative Program can have a different test date from all the rest.

*Main date testing - On the main date a number of schools Australia-wide hold ACER tests for both primary and secondary scholarships.

Test Structure

Secondary Level (Levels 1, 2 & 3)

There will be a maximum of four separate tests. Alternative date schools have the choice of offering all four tests or choosing various combinations.

Secondary Level (Levels 1, 2 & 3)	Time (min)
Test 1: Written Expression (Extended Response)	25
Test 2: Humanities - Comprehension and Interpretation	40
Test 3: Mathematics	40
Test 4: Written Expression (Extended Response)	25

Primary Level

Primary Level	Time (min)
Test 1: Reading and Viewing	30
Test 2: Mathematics	30
Test 3: Written Expression x 2	20 min each, 40 min total

Find more details on ACER testing programs:

• ACER test dates and participating schools
• ACER Scholarship Tests

EduTest

Your child can only sit for ONE test. If you want to apply for scholarships or select entry places at different schools, you need to sit at the earliest test and share the results with the other schools. Please note that you need to complete an application/registration form for each school and pay each school a fee.

There are two sections involved: a) The Ability Tests - verbal and numerical reasoning; b) The Achievement Tests - reading comprehension, mathematics and written expression.

EduTest Formats	Time (min)
Verbal Reasoning	30
Numerical Reasoning	30
Reading Comprehension	30
Mathematics	30
Written Expression	15

Notes: Generally speaking, EduTest uses the same format for scholarship and entrance tests. However there is exception such as John Monash Science School (JMSS), and The University High School - Elizabeth Blackburn School of Sciences (EBSS) use a different style of entrance examination. Visit EduTest test dates and participating schools and EduTest for more details.

Academic Assessment Services (formerly Robert Allwell & Associates)

The test format is similar to ACER (SST) with only one writing piece.

Academic Assessment Services Test Formats	Time (min)
Abstract Reasoning and Problem Solving	45
Mathematics and Reasoning	45
Reading Comprehension	45
Written Expression	25

Visit Academic Assessment Services test dates and participating schools and Academic Assessment Services for more details.

Music or Performing Arts Audition

An audition is required for a music or a performing arts scholarship. This will also normally include an academic test. Please visit Find Scholarships.

Test Prep

Practice is the key to excel in the tests. You may need to buy Selective school and scholarship test practice papers or books | More scholarship and selective schools entrance test books for practice. The practice questions provide an ideal opportunity for students and parents to develop familiarity with the style of the papers and gain valuable experience answering real questions. We recommend that students practise practice papers 'under exam conditions' (e.g. timing).

Aim for top results? Find a tutor, a music teacher or a  coaching school.