A complete guide to understanding the ACER Scholarship Test, including registration, test dates, and how it helps identify high-achieving students.
Author
Robyn Oliver
Published
November 2025
Key Takeaways
The ACER Scholarship Test identifies high-achieving students for scholarships at Australian private schools.
Registration is completed online via the ACER portal, with fees set per school.
The test dates usually fall between February and March, with levels tailored to each school year.
Table of contents
The ACER Scholarship Test is an independent assessment used across Australia, identifying high-achieving students who may be eligible for a scholarship at private independent schools. Schools must choose whether they join a cooperative or alternative structure. If a school chooses the Cooperative Scholarship Testing Program (CTSP), students can apply for multiple scholarships and sit one test; the schools the student has applied to will then share access to the results. If a school has chosen the alternative structure, a student must attend their chosen school on the school’s specified date. They will sit an alternative test to the CTSP test, and their results will not be shared. The test structure and timing vary depending on the year group your child is in:
Primary (Years 4, 5, or 6)
Level 1 (Years 7 or 8)
Level 2 (Years 9 or 10)
Level 3 (Years 11 or 12)
To register for the ACER Scholarship Tests, you must create a student account online on the ACER website. The account is usually created by a parent or guardian. Once your child’s account has been created and their details linked to the account, you can apply for a scholarship following the specific instructions for each school. These details can be found by clicking on the “apply for a scholarship” link next to your child’s name. It’s important to note that there is an application fee, and this fee is paid per school you apply to. That means if you choose to apply for the Cooperative Scholarship Testing Program, you will be required to pay the individual school testing fees, despite only sitting one test. Fees are set by individual schools and can vary; however, they usually sit around the $50-$100 mark.
As the Cooperative Scholarship Testing Program is used by multiple schools, there is usually one coordinated date, between February and March; the date can vary depending on the region. ACER Scholarship Testing dates for 2026 have been set for Saturday, the 7th of February for South Australians, and Saturday the 28th of February for all other states.
Alternative schools that are not a part of the CTSP will set their own dates. These dates can be spread throughout the year, so it’s important to check your school’s website or the ACER website.
ACER Scholarship practice tests can be found online through the student portal. Alternatively, you could try the Doodle Maths program for maths revision, which supports numeracy development for children from foundation to year 9.
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The ACER Test is designed to identify high-achieving students through challenging content that requires advanced reasoning and critical thinking skills! Some schools only offer scholarships to the highest achieving student in each entry level, therefore making the test extremely competitive.
The ACER Test is an independent assessment used across Australia, identifying high-achieving students who may be eligible for a scholarship at private independent schools.
Students generally need to rank in the top 4% of their entry level to have a chance of obtaining a financial scholarship. Additionally, schools seek “all-rounders,” which means you should maintain consistently high performance across all subjects.
In Australia, nearly all private school scholarships are handled by one of three main testing providers. However, the most suitable exam for your child to take is the one associated with the school you wish to attend. While some exams might be perceived as easier than others, it’s important to note that your preferred school may not accept every exam. Therefore, you must ensure your child takes the exam specified by the school.
Lesson credits
Robyn Oliver
Robyn is a teacher, educational content creator, and mum to three. After completing a Bachelor of Childhood Studies and a Postgraduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education, she moved to Perth, WA, and has spent her career working in a range of early childhood services and schools. These days, she mixes relief teaching in local schools with creating practical, engaging resources and mentoring early childhood services. Her work is driven by a genuine passion for supporting children to grow and learn, and helping educators feel confident and inspired in what they do.
Robyn Oliver
Robyn is a teacher, educational content creator, and mum to three. After completing a Bachelor of Childhood Studies and a Postgraduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education, she moved to Perth, WA, and has spent her career working in a range of early childhood services and schools. These days, she mixes relief teaching in local schools with creating practical, engaging resources and mentoring early childhood services. Her work is driven by a genuine passion for supporting children to grow and learn, and helping educators feel confident and inspired in what they do.
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