The ACER scholarship test for 2028 entry runs on Saturday 27 February 2027 at cooperative schools in Queensland, New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Victoria. Applications opened on 21 September 2026 and close at midnight AEDT on Sunday 7 February 2027, with no late applications.
This guide covers what each test level includes, how registration and fees work, what your child can and can't bring, and how to prepare when no past papers are sold.
What is the ACER scholarship test?
It is a set of tests many Australian independent schools use to rank applicants for academic scholarships. ACER says the tests are designed to separate students finely at the top end, and they focus on reasoning and problem solving rather than recalling facts.
ACER marks the papers and reports results to schools. Each school then decides who receives a scholarship and contacts families directly. The process is described on ACER's scholarship overview page.
Which test level does my child sit, and what does it cover?
Your child sits the level that matches the year they will enter, not the year they are in now. Primary level covers reading, maths and writing on paper, while the secondary levels cover written expression, humanities and maths, online or on paper.
| Level | For entry into | Test components | Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary (Level P) | Years 4 to 6 | Reading and Viewing, Mathematics, Writing | Paper |
| Level 1 | Years 7 and 8 | Written Expression, Humanities, Mathematics | Online or paper |
| Level 2 | Years 9 and 10 | Written Expression, Humanities, Mathematics | Online or paper |
| Level 3 | Years 11 and 12 | Written Expression, Humanities, Mathematics | Online or paper |
Levels and components are from ACER's scholarship overview, and the year ranges for Levels 1 to 3 come from its practice materials list on the parents page.
ACER describes all its scholarship tests as testing higher-order thinking and problem solving rather than recall, so careful reading and reasoning matter in every section. Our guides on critical reading and non-fiction comprehension practise those skills with original examples.
What is the difference between cooperative and alternative-date tests?
The cooperative test is one shared Saturday where a single sitting can be sent to up to six schools. Alternative-date tests are set by each school on its own date, and those results go only to that school.
Details from ACER's parents page:
- Cooperative test: your child sits once at your first-preference school, and results go to every school you registered for.
- ACEP (South Australian schools only): Saturday 6 February 2027, with applications closing at 11:30pm ACDT on Friday 22 January 2027.
- Alternative-date tests: each school chooses its date during the school year. ACER notes that most Victorian schools use this option, so check each school's own page.
How does registration work, and what does it cost?
You register through an ACER parent account: add your child, choose the school and level, upload any documents the school asks for, and pay. Each school sets its own application fee, and you pay separately for every school you apply to.
Two cost details catch families out:
- Fees add up per school. Registering for four cooperative schools means four application fees, even though your child sits one test.
- Non-ACER test centres carry a surcharge of $200 within Australia and $250 overseas.
Some schools also ask for reports or other documents with the application. Check each school's scholarship page before you pay, and keep the confirmation email for every registration. A saved but unpaid application is not a submitted one.
Are there past papers or official practice tests?
There are no past papers for sale. ACER sells official practice tests and practice question sets through the Practice Materials tab in your parent account, matched to each level.
For each secondary level there are two formats, an online practice test or a set of practice questions, and ACER says both contain the same content, so buy only one. The primary level has its own practice test, online or as a PDF.
Treat any commercial material, including ours, as independent practice. It can build familiarity and skills, but it is not ACER's material and does not predict a ranking.
How should my child prepare for the written expression task?
Practise planning and writing original responses to unfamiliar prompts, not memorising pieces. ACER says students can answer in any suitable form, should plan for a couple of minutes first, and are judged on original thinking rather than length.
That has three practical implications:
- Pre-written essays backfire. A memorised story forced onto a different prompt reads as pre-prepared, which ACER explicitly does not want.
- Choosing the form is part of the task. A prompt can be answered as a story, a persuasive piece or another form. Practise deciding quickly which suits the idea best.
- Quality beats quantity. A shorter, controlled response with a clear idea beats a long, rambling one.
Our guides to understanding the question before you write and generating story ideas under time pressure give original exercises for both.
What should my child bring on test day?
Bring two blue or black pens for writing, two HB or B pencils for multiple-choice answers, a good eraser and optional food or drink for the break. Calculators, rulers, watches, phones, books and mathematical instruments are not allowed.
The no-calculator rule matters for preparation. If your child relies on a calculator for homework, spend the weeks before the test doing mental and written arithmetic. Our number fundamentals guide covers the core skills.
If your child has an injury or disability, you can request modified conditions with medical evidence no more than 12 months old. Submit it at least four weeks before the test. ACER does not accept special consideration requests to adjust results afterwards.
What happens after the test?
For the cooperative test, ACER sends results to every school you registered for, and you can view them in your parent account. Schools contact families directly about scholarship offers.
For alternative-date tests, each school decides how results are shared. When an offer arrives, read its actual terms: what it covers, how long it lasts and any conditions attached to keeping it. Ask the school to clarify anything before accepting.
A preparation timeline from now to February
With registration open now and the cooperative test on 27 February 2027, there is roughly a term of school plus the summer holidays to prepare. A light, steady routine beats a January cram.
- October to November: confirm schools, levels and fees. Register early so the deadline is not a worry over Christmas. Sit one untimed practice set to see where your child stands.
- December to January: two or three short sessions a week. Alternate reading and reasoning, maths without a calculator, and one timed writing task with feedback.
- February: one full timed practice under test conditions, then ease off in the final week. Check the test centre address and start time.
Frequently asked questions
When is the ACER cooperative scholarship test for 2028 entry?
Saturday 27 February 2027. Applications close at midnight AEDT on Sunday 7 February 2027, and late applications are not accepted.
Can you buy ACER scholarship test past papers?
No. ACER does not sell past papers. Official practice tests and question sets are available through your ACER parent account.
Are calculators allowed?
No. Calculators are not permitted at the test centre.
Does sitting the test apply my child to every school?
No. For the cooperative test, results go only to the schools you registered and paid for, up to six.
Practice Tests & Exams is an independent provider of practice material and is not affiliated with ACER or any participating school. Official details checked 20 October 2026.