School Scholarship Tests: A Parent’s Guide
Many independent schools award scholarships partly on the results of a test, usually run by ACER or Edutest. These tests typically cover reasoning, reading, maths and writing, mostly with multiple-choice questions and a written task. Each school chooses its own test, timing and selection process, so the first step is always to ask the school. After that, steady practice of reasoning, reading and maths over several months is the best preparation.
ACER and Edutest: what is the difference?
| Feature | ACER | Edutest |
|---|---|---|
| Who runs it | The Australian Council for Educational Research | Edutest, a separate test provider |
| Typical areas | At primary level: reading, mathematics and writing | Verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, reading comprehension, mathematics and written expression |
| Where to check | The school, and the official ACER website | The school, and the Edutest website |
Formats are updated from time to time, so treat the school’s information and the provider’s website as the final word.
What the sections involve
Verbal reasoning
Analogies (“hot is to cold as tall is to…”), odd one out, word relationships and codes. Vocabulary is the biggest factor, so wide reading matters. The Verbal Reasoning game and Synonyms and Antonyms game give focused practice.
Numerical reasoning
Number series, patterns and logic puzzles. Encourage your child to say the rule out loud (“add 3, then double”). Try the Number Patterns game and the Thinking Skills game.
Reading comprehension
Reading passages closely, finding evidence and making inferences. Daily reading plus the Reading Comprehension game builds this steadily.
Mathematics
Questions often go a little beyond the current year level. Fractions, decimals and percentages, measurement, angles and multi-step problems are worth regular revision.
Writing
Usually a narrative or persuasive piece written in a set time. Practise planning briefly, writing with a clear beginning, middle and end, and leaving time to check spelling and punctuation.
A sample weekly plan
| Day | About 20 minutes |
|---|---|
| Monday | Verbal Reasoning game, then learn three new words from it |
| Tuesday | Maths: fractions, percentages or measurement, plus the Daily Maths Challenge |
| Wednesday | Read a challenging article or chapter, then the Reading Comprehension game |
| Thursday | Numerical reasoning: Number Patterns and Thinking Skills games |
| Friday | A timed writing piece (plan, write, check) |
| Weekend | Reading for pleasure; occasionally one Timed test |
Getting used to test conditions
Scholarship tests are timed, and many children find the pace the hardest part. Once your child is accurate, use the Timed test button on our games: 15 questions in 10 minutes, with the answers revealed at the end. It is a low-stakes way to practise pacing, skipping a hard question and coming back to it. Afterwards, look at the wrong answers together and talk about what tripped them up.
Writing under time pressure
The writing task often worries children most. A simple routine helps: spend a few minutes jotting down ideas and a rough plan, write with a clear opening, a developed middle and a satisfying ending, then save the last few minutes to reread and fix spelling and punctuation. Practising this routine with a timer once a week builds confidence. Vary the prompts, too: a picture, a single word, an opening line or a question to argue for or against. Afterwards, ask your child to pick their best sentence and one sentence they could make stronger.
Practical tips
- Start early and keep it short. A few months of regular, brief sessions works better than a last-minute rush.
- Check the details. Ask each school which test it uses, the date, the year level tested and whether there is an interview or portfolio as well.
- Read widely. Fiction, non-fiction and age-appropriate news all build the vocabulary verbal reasoning relies on.
- Rest well. A good night’s sleep before the test matters more than extra practice.
- Keep perspective. Scholarships are competitive. Praise effort, and make sure your child knows the result does not define them.
For more on timelines and test-day tips, see our guide on preparing for a selective or scholarship test. The scholarship test practice page groups our games by section, and our free worksheets are useful for screen-free maths practice.
Success Tutoring is not affiliated with, endorsed by or approved by ACER, Edutest or any school. Test names are used only to describe what our original practice covers. Always check with the school and the test provider for the latest details.
Frequently asked questions
What is on a scholarship test?
Usually reasoning (verbal and numerical), reading comprehension, mathematics and a writing task. The exact mix depends on which test the school uses.
Should we prepare for ACER or Edutest?
Ask the school which provider it uses. Edutest has separate verbal and numerical reasoning sections, while ACER primary tests cover reading, mathematics and writing. Core reading, maths and reasoning skills help with both.
How early should we start preparing for a scholarship test?
Gentle, regular practice over several months works better than intense practice in the final weeks.
Can practice guarantee a scholarship?
No. Practice builds familiarity and confidence, but scholarships are competitive and schools often consider more than the test result.