Schools can join a cooperative test sitting or select a different date for candidates to sit their scholarship test. See the Participating Schools list to compare sitting dates.

Cooperative sittings

The cooperative programs involve a large number of schools testing on the same test date. The date is set by ACER for a Saturday in February each year. Candidates may register for up to six schools. The candidate will sit the test once and have their results reported to all schools within the cooperative program to which they have applied.

Where candidates register for more than one school, they are required to allocate a preference number to all schools to which they have applied and must sit the test at their first preference school. Schools may make offers to any candidate that has applied to their school regardless of the preference order specified by the candidate.

ACEP DATES FOR 2027 ENTRY (SA schools only):
Test date: Saturday the 07th of February 2026
Applications open: September 22nd, 2025
Applications close: 11:30pm ACDT Friday the 23rd of January 2026

COOPERATIVE DATES FOR 2027 ENTRY (Qld, NSW, NT, WA, Vic schools):
Test date: Saturday the 28th of February 202​​​​​​6
Applications open: September 22nd, 2025​​​​​​​
Applications close: midnight AEDT Sunday the 8th of February 2026

Alternative date program tests

If a school chooses to sit the Scholarship test on an alternative date, they may select any date in the school year. Candidates must sit the test at that school and results are reported to that school only.

*Please note: most Victorian schools use the alternative date program. Please check the Participating Schools list for further information.

Fees

Each school sets its own application fee. You must complete a separate application and pay a separate fee for each school that you apply to. Details are available on the schools’ websites.

Applying for a scholarship

1.  Access the ACER Scholarship application portal to create your parent account and application.
2.  Enter parent and child information.
3.  Select the school and the level you are applying to.
4.  Be sure to upload any supporting documentation requested by the school.
5.  Make the registration fee payment.

Online and downloadable practice tests are available for purchase via the Practice Materials tab in your Parent account. There are no past papers available for purchase.

The materials are not designed to be part of an intensive drill before the test, but instead to familiarise students with the kinds of question in the test. The tests students will take are designed to reveal their thinking skills and abilities not their detailed knowledge of subjects. The questions ask them to analyse, interpret, comprehend or draw conclusions from information presented. Students should use the practice tests as though they are sitting the live test as this builds awareness of test duration and helps with time management. Understanding how to track progress at time intervals gives students the best chance of completing as much of the test as they are able to.

In the Written Expression tests students respond to the topic however they feel is most appropriate – perhaps with a story or a persuasive piece. They need to organise their ideas and express themselves clearly and succinctly. The amount they write is less important than the thoughts they express and how they express them. Students should take a couple of minutes to plan their piece carefully before starting to write. The writing piece must demonstrate original thought in response to the prompt and not be a pre-prepared piece.

Skills assessed in the test are learned over a lifetime, both in and out of school, so short-term training for the tests is unlikely to improve performance. A candidate’s best preparation is to read widely and think critically.

Which practice materials should I purchase?

Primary (students entering Year 4, 5 or 6):

ACER Primary Scholarship Practice Test: available in online format or as a downloadable PDF.

Level 1 (students entering Year 7 or 8):

There are two different practice tests available, with different content in each.

Online Practice Test: Level 1: available in online format only.

Scholarship and Select Entry Tests Practice Questions: available in online format or as a PDF booklet that you can download and print.

Level 2 (students entering Year 9 or 10):

There are two different practice tests available, with different content in each.

Online Practice Test: Level 2: available in online format only. 

Scholarship and Select Entry Tests Practice Questions for entry in Years 9 and 10: available as a PDF booklet that you can download and print.*

Level 3 (students entering Year 11 or 12):

There are two different practice tests available, with different content in each.

Online Practice Test: Level 3: available in online format only. 

Scholarship and Select Entry Tests Practice Questions for entry in Years 11 and 12: available as a PDF booklet that you can download and print.*

*The content is the same between formats so only purchase one format. 

What is the difference between the practice materials?

The materials are similar in content, but the questions in each practice test are different. The format of the questions and the subtests covered are the same. 

How to access practice materials:

Online practice tests: Log in to your Parent account. Click on the green Practice Materials tab and then the View Test link on the right hand side of the screen. Note that the online practice tests cannot be downloaded and must be completed onscreen.

Downloadable PDF practice tests: Log in to your Parent account. Click on the green Practice Materials tab and then the Download link on the right-hand side of the screen. You can then print this booklet.

My child has an injury or disability. How can I request special arrangements for sitting the test?

Under certain circumstances, and with supporting medical evidence (that is within 12 months old), modified testing conditions may be arranged for applicants with injuries or disabilities. For example, a candidate with vision impairment may require large format test material.

Applications for special arrangements, including supporting evidence must be supplied 4 WEEKS PRIOR to the scheduled test date.

If your child has a medical condition, disability or injury that requires special test arrangements, you may apply for these arrangements using the application form below. Ensure you have submitted the application form and any supporting evidence 4 WEEKS PRIOR to the scheduled test date.

Special consideration for adjustment of test results will not be accepted.

ACER will work with the school you are applying to for review, approval and implementation of special test arrangements.

Please be aware that ACER provides assessment tools (tests) to schools to assess candidate ability for the purpose of offering scholarships.

ACER will accommodate any approved requirements for alterations to the test wherever possible, and with appropriate notice. Such accommodations may include test materials printed as large format, test materials printed on coloured paper, or permitting the candidate to answer the questions in the question booklet rather than using the answer sheet, in the case of dexterity issues, for example.

The schools deliver the tests and are therefore responsible for accommodating any special arrangements that are required in terms of how the test is delivered. Such accommodations may include provision of a scribe, additional time, quiet space, wheelchair access, for example.

When completing the application form, ensure you are specific about the condition your child has and the support that they will require to be able to complete the test fairly. Your evidence must support this information. 

Once you have completed the application form, upload the form to ACER’s secure portal using the link below. Please do not send sensitive information by email. If you have any trouble with the application process, contact our support team for assistance.

Special arrangements application requirements

Once you have completed the application form, upload the form to ACER’s secure portal. Please do not send sensitive information by email. If you have any trouble with the application process, contact our support team for assistance.

What is the process if I live a long way from the school and would like to sit the test at a closer test centre?

On the cooperative test date, if you live more than 200kms from your first preference school, your child can sit at another participating school. Parents should select the appropriate school centre during the online application process.

If you live more than 200kms from a participating school, you can organise a Non-ACER Test Centre. Parents should select 'Non-ACER Test Centre' during the online application process. Parents will need to source a supervisor (must be a registered teacher, experienced exam invigilator or religious community leader) as well as an appropriate venue (local school, library, hall, and so on) for the test. ACER will email you with further details shortly after receiving your application.

For alternative date schools, you must sit the test at each school you have registered with. However, most schools offer the option to sit at a Non-ACER Test Centre if you live more than 200kms from the school. Please contact ACER for further information.

A surcharge applies for candidates sitting at a Non-ACER Test Centre within Australia ($200), and for all sittings overseas ($250).

Please note that requests for Non-ACER Test Centres must be made AT LEAST 4 weeks prior to the test date for all schools.

My family is living overseas. Can my child sit the test in our current location?

Your child can sit the test at a Non-ACER Test Centre (see information above). Parents should select the appropriate Non-ACER Test Centre during the online application process. A surcharge applies for overseas test centres ($250).

For most alternative date schools you can organise a Non-ACER Test Centre (you will need to check with the individual school). Parents should select 'Non-ACER Test Centre' in the Testing Venue field during the online application process. Parents will need to source a supervisor (must be a registered teacher, experienced exam invigilator or church minister) as well as an appropriate venue (local school, library, hall, and so on) for the test. ACER will email you further details upon receipt of your application. A surcharge applies for candidates sitting at a Non-ACER Test Centre within Australia ($200) or overseas ($250).

Please note that requests for Non-ACER Test Centres must be made AT LEAST 4 weeks prior to the test date for all schools.

How to find out about your results

For cooperative sittings, ACER will provide your results to the school/s you've applied to. On the day results are available, you will be sent a notification email from ACER and you will able to access the results online in your Parent Account.

For alternative date sittings, the individual schools decide if and how results are reported to parents. Some schools will post the result reports to parents in the mail. Other schools have opted for parents to be able to access results online; in this case you will receive a notification email from ACER with information about how to access your report.

How to find out if your child has been awarded a scholarship

Schools contact parents directly to offer scholarships.

Are non-Australian residents/passport holders eligible to apply for a scholarship?

Each school decides which candidates are eligible to apply for their test. Please check with the individual school prior to applying if you are a non-Australian resident/passport holder.

If I apply to more than one school will I need to sit more than one test?

If all schools that you are applying for are testing on the cooperative date, then your child will only need to sit the test once at your first preference school on the cooperative program test date. The results will be sent to all schools applied for.

If your chosen schools have different test dates then each of these schools will be using a different test, and your child will need to sit the test at each school on their nominated date. Results cannot be shared among schools when they are not part of a cooperative program.

See the Participating Schools list to check if a school is using the cooperative program or testing on an alternative date.

What if two schools have tests on the same non-cooperative date? Can I sit for both schools?

No, you will need to choose one school only to apply to. Schools who do not use the cooperative program are 'stand-alone' schools and do not share results with other schools.

Will the cooperative schools I apply to know about my other cooperative school applications?

Yes, all the cooperative schools you apply to will have information about your other cooperative school applications and your preference order. If you have applied to multiple alternative date schools then those schools will not be aware of any other applications you have made.