Good ICAS preparation is short and specific: a couple of official past papers to learn the format, then targeted work on whatever those papers expose. ICAS runs once a year, school by school, and a High Distinction goes to the top 1% of participants.
Many families also wonder whether ICAS helps with selective-school entry such as QASMT or Brisbane State High. This guide covers how ICAS works, when it runs, where official past papers come from, and where ICAS overlaps with selective-entry preparation and where it doesn't.
What is ICAS?
ICAS is an annual set of academic assessments taken through schools. Subjects are English, Mathematics, Science, Writing, Spelling Bee and Digital Technologies, each sat separately.
Schools choose which subjects and year levels to offer. Your child sits the paper for their registered year level, or the year above if their school allows it, and can register for only one year level per subject. Those details are on the ICAS parent FAQ.
When does ICAS run?
ICAS runs in subject windows across August. In 2026 the windows were Writing and Digital Technologies from 3 to 7 August, English from 10 to 14 August, Science and Spelling Bee from 17 to 21 August, and Mathematics from 24 to 28 August.
Registration for 2026 closed in late July: 20 July through school payment systems, and 27 July for remaining parent and school entries, as listed on the official ICAS 2026 dates page. Schools can set an earlier deadline for parents. Dates for 2027 had not been published when we last checked, so watch your school newsletter from Term 2.
How do ICAS results and awards work?
Results are usually available about 15 business days after the final sitting day for each subject, through an online portal. ICAS awards a High Distinction to the top 1% of participants and a Distinction to the next 10%.
According to the ICAS achievement levels page, every participant receives formal recognition, and a medal goes to the highest-scoring student in each subject, year level and state. Certificates showing the grade and score are posted to schools in one delivery, typically 10 to 13 weeks after results are released.
Where can you get ICAS past papers?
Official ICAS past papers are sold through the ICAS shop. The parent FAQ describes papers from 2019 to 2022, with the 2021 and 2022 papers hosted online and the older ones as PDFs.
Two or three past papers are usually enough. The first shows your child the format and timing. The second, after some targeted work, shows whether that work helped. Beyond that, extra papers mostly train recognition of question styles rather than the underlying skill.
Be cautious with "ICAS-style" papers sold elsewhere, including any independent practice. They can be useful for skills, but only the ICAS shop sells official papers.
Does ICAS help with selective-school entry?
ICAS builds skills that overlap with selective tests, but it is not part of the selection process. ICAS does not say it counts towards entry, and the academic evidence QASMT lists for Year 7 applications is school reports and NAPLAN, not ICAS results.
The comparison below shows how differently the two are set up.
| ICAS | QASMT entrance test | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Annual academic assessment and recognition | Selection for Year 7 entry |
| Who runs it | ICAS Assessments, through schools | EduTest, for Queensland Academies |
| When | Subject windows in August | Early September of Year 5 (2028 entry) |
| Format | Separate papers per subject, on a device at school | One session of about three hours, five sections |
| What families receive | Grade, score and certificate | No individual results are released |
| Role in admission | Not listed as required evidence | One part of a global assessment with reports and the engagement activity |
QASMT details come from the official Queensland Academies Year 7 enrolments page. That page does allow families to include evidence of giftedness where available, with the author's written consent. If you are unsure whether something counts, ask Queensland Academies Admissions rather than sending extra material unprompted.
Which ICAS skills transfer to selective tests?
Reading comprehension, mathematical problem solving and timed writing transfer well. Verbal and numerical reasoning, which make up two of the five QASMT test sections, are not covered by any ICAS subject.
A practical way to think about it:
- Reading comprehension is common ground. Reading for evidence and inference is useful in any English assessment and in selective reading sections. Our guides to narrative and non-fiction passages practise the same skills.
- Mathematical problem solving transfers well, especially multi-step word problems. See our worked word problems.
- Writing to a prompt transfers, but timing matters. QASMT allows 15 minutes for written expression, so practise planning quickly.
- Reasoning sections need their own practice. Start with number series and number grids and verbal reasoning logic.
Is ICAS worth doing in a selective-entry year?
It can be, if it serves a clear purpose such as low-stakes experience of a timed test. It is not worth it if it adds pressure to an already busy August, especially as QASMT on-time applications close in late August of Year 5.
In 2026, the QASMT application deadline was 21 August and its test was on 5 and 6 September, right after the ICAS Mathematics window. If your child is applying for QASMT in Year 5, consider whether ICAS that month helps or simply adds another test.
How should you review an ICAS paper with your child?
Review the reasoning, not the score. For each wrong answer, ask your child to explain what they did, read the correct method together, then try a new, similar question a few days later.
Three questions make a useful review:
- Which questions felt unfamiliar, and which did you understand but run out of time on?
- Where did you guess, and what would have helped you decide?
- What will you try differently next time?
If the same type of question keeps going wrong on fresh examples, that is a real gap worth targeted work. If it disappears once the method is clear, it was unfamiliarity and needs no more attention.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I get ICAS past papers?
From the official ICAS shop. Papers from 2019 to 2022 are described on the ICAS parent FAQ.
What does an ICAS High Distinction mean?
Your child placed in the top 1% of participants. A Distinction covers the next 10%.
Can parents register for ICAS directly?
Usually through your child's school, which chooses the subjects and year levels on offer. Alternate testing centres exist if the school does not take part.
Does ICAS count towards QASMT entry?
QASMT does not list ICAS results as required evidence. Treat ICAS as practice and enrichment rather than an admission requirement.
Practice Tests & Exams is an independent provider of practice material and is not affiliated with ICAS Assessments or any school. Official details checked 20 October 2026.