Quick answer: Ormiston College awards Year 7 Academic and General Excellence scholarships using an ACER examination. For 2028 entry, registration opens on 29 October 2026 and closes at 11pm on Sunday 24 January 2027, and the exam is on Thursday 11 February 2027, earlier than ACER's main cooperative sitting.
Ormiston College at a glance
| School type | Independent co-educational school, early learning to Year 12 |
| Location | 97 Dundas Street West, Ormiston (Redlands) |
| Scholarship test | ACER |
| Entry year | Year 7 (Academic and General Excellence) |
| Registration | 29 October 2026 to 24 January 2027 (no late registrations) |
| Exam date | Thursday 11 February 2027 |
| Award | Part of school fees for the whole of secondary school, reviewed annually |
Ormiston holds its own ACER sitting on a Thursday, two weeks before the main cooperative date, so families applying to several schools can sit both. Scholarships cover part of the fees for all of secondary school, subject to an annual review.
Which test does Ormiston College use?
Ormiston uses an ACER examination covering general reasoning, reading comprehension, written expression and mathematics.
The ACER scholarship test is set by the Australian Council for Educational Research. Year 7 and 8 entry uses Level 1, with Written Expression (two 25-minute tasks), Humanities (about 40 to 45 multiple-choice questions in 40 minutes) and Mathematics (about 32 to 36 questions in 40 minutes). Primary entry (Years 4 to 6) uses Level P, with Reading and Viewing, Mathematics and Writing. Later secondary entry uses Levels 2 and 3.
Many Queensland schools use ACER's cooperative sitting, where your child sits the test once and the results go to each school you've registered with. For 2028 entry, the cooperative sitting is on Saturday 27 February 2027, with registrations closing on Sunday 7 February 2027.
More on this test: The ACER scholarship test explained · Which ACER level your child sits
Key dates for 2028 entry
| Step | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration opens | Thursday 29 October 2026 |
| Registration closes | 11pm, Sunday 24 January 2027 |
| e-Portfolio open | 29 January to 10 February 2027 |
| Scholarship exam | Thursday 11 February 2027 |
Dates change each year and schools sometimes switch providers, so always confirm on Ormiston College's scholarship page before you register.
What else counts
- ACER exam results
- An e-portfolio: Year 4 and Year 5 semester reports, Year 3 and Year 5 NAPLAN results and a personal statement
- Optional sporting or artistic evidence
- An informal interview with the Headmaster for shortlisted students
How to prepare
- Start about three months out. For a February test, that means November.
- Sit one full timed practice test in the right format to find the weakest section.
- Practise writing under time, with feedback on one thing at a time. Writing is the section families find hardest to judge at home.
- Build reading stamina with a mix of fiction, non-fiction and poetry, and talk about what writers imply, not just what happens.
- Keep the last week light. Familiarity and rest matter more than cramming.
Practice for the ACER scholarship test
Our ACER Level 1 practice tests are designed for Year 7 entry, with Humanities, Mathematics and Written Expression. Check the product page for the available mocks and writing-marking options.
These are independent practice materials, not official test papers, and they don't predict scholarship outcomes.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Ormiston College scholarship exam?
Thursday 11 February 2027 for 2028 entry. Registration closes on 24 January 2027.
What does the Ormiston exam cover?
General reasoning, reading comprehension, written expression and mathematics.
Does Ormiston want NAPLAN results?
Yes. The e-portfolio includes Year 3 and Year 5 NAPLAN results.
Other Queensland schools
See which test every Queensland school uses in our Queensland school scholarships guide.
Practice Tests & Exams is an independent provider and is not affiliated with Ormiston College, ACER, EduTest or AAS. Details are from the school, the test providers and published sources as of 27 October 2026. Always check the school's own website for current dates and conditions.
Sources and further information
Check the school or assessment provider for current arrangements.
Not sure where to start?
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