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Applications for WA's Gifted and Talented (GATE) programs for Year 7 in 2028 are open now and close at 6 pm on Friday 5 February 2027. Year 6 students sit the ASET on Saturday 6 March 2027 in Perth metro, Bunbury and Albany.
Applications
| Step | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications open | Tuesday 13 October 2026 |
| Parent information evenings | 14 October to 23 November 2026 |
| Applications close | 6 pm Friday 5 February 2027 |
| Deadline for adjusted conditions and ASET exemption requests | 6 pm Friday 5 February 2027 |
| Deadline for overseas and interstate test location decisions | Tuesday 9 February 2027 |
| Arts adjusted conditions outcomes emailed | Wednesday 10 February 2027 |
| ASET adjusted conditions and exemption outcomes emailed | Monday 15 February 2027 |
The Department considers late applications only in exceptional circumstances. Apply early.
Testing
| Who | Date |
|---|---|
| Year 6 students, Perth metro, Bunbury, Albany | Saturday 6 March 2027 |
| Year 8, 9 and 10 students (entry to Years 9-11), same locations | Sunday 7 March 2027 |
| Regional WA (excluding Bunbury and Albany) | Monday 8 to Tuesday 9 March 2027 |
| Interstate (Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide) | March 2027, date to be confirmed |
| Adjusted conditions, Perth metro | 16 to 30 March 2027 |
| Arts testing | Through Term 1, then interviews in Term 2, 2027 |
| Languages interviews | From late May 2027 |
Testing details are emailed to families after applications close. If illness or an incident affects your child's test, you have 7 days to request a review.
Results and offers
| Step | Date |
|---|---|
| ASET performance reports emailed | Early June 2027 |
| Round 1 offers emailed | Late June 2027 |
| Round 2 offers emailed | Late July 2027 |
| Unsuccessful notifications | August 2027 |
| Reserve lists close | 1 December 2027 |
Month-by-month checklist for Year 5 and 6 families
November 2026
- Attend a parent information evening (until 23 November).
- Download the free practice ASET and ASET Handbook.
- Do a timed baseline of all four tests.
December 2026 to January 2027
- Work on the weakest section without time pressure.
- Practise one 25-minute writing response a week.
- Start Abstract Reasoning practice early. It is the fastest-paced test.
By 5 February 2027
- Submit the application and program preferences.
- Request adjusted conditions if your child needs them.
February 2027
- Full timed mocks in the real order: Reading, Writing, 10-minute break, Quantitative, Abstract.
- Review every wrong answer and note why it was wrong.
Week of 6 March 2027
- Light practice only. Good sleep. Check the test day information from the Department.
From Jon: The last two weeks should be relaxed. Go about everyday life. If you've done the preparation and the mocks, you already know roughly how your child will perform, so there's no need to stress. If you're only starting two weeks before the test, it's too late, and cramming just puts your child under undue stress.
Frequently asked questions
When is the ASET in 2027? Saturday 6 March 2027 for Year 6 students in Perth metro, Bunbury and Albany. Regional WA testing is 8-9 March.
When do GATE applications close? 6 pm Friday 5 February 2027, for entry in 2028.
When are ASET results released? Performance reports are emailed in early June 2027. Round 1 offers follow in late June.
Can my child sit the ASET outside WA? Yes. Interstate testing runs in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide in March 2027. Choose an interstate or overseas location by 9 February 2027.
Sources
- Key dates and applicant guidelines, WA Department of Education
- Applicant guidelines for entry in 2028 (PDF)
Dates checked against official sources on 31 October 2026. Dates marked "to be confirmed" will be updated when published.