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:
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.
Practice is the key to excel in the tests. You may need to buy
selective school and scholarship 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.