Information guide on ACER and Ignite program

You may have heard about the ACER scholarships and Ignite entry programs. But what exactly are these programs all about? This article will provide you with some useful information to understand about these programs.

ACER – Australian Cooperative Entry Program (ACEP)

What is ACER?

The ACER Scholarship Tests are used across Australia to identify academically able students for the award of a scholarship. The tests are designed to rank applicants, finely differentiating the top end of performance.

Applicants are required to demonstrate a range of skills such as the ability to interpret, infer, deduce and think critically. The tests are not curriculum based and do not test the ability to retrieve learned knowledge, nor are they diagnostic.

Independent schools around Australia choose a testing date which best suits their school needs.

Who are the participating schools?

There are more than 35 participating schools in South Australia. View the list of participating schools available from the ACER website.

Who can sit for the test?

There are four different levels of the test for entry in 2021.

1. Primary Level Tests – for students entering Years 4, 5 or 6 

2. Secondary Level Tests

• Level 1 – for students entering Years 7 or 8
• Level 2 – for students entering Years 9 or 10
• Level 3 – for students entering Years 11 or 12

What is the test structure?​

Primary level​

• Test 1: Reading and Viewing (multiple choice, 30 minutes)​
• Test 2: Mathematics (multiple choice, 30 minutes)​
• Test 3: Writing (2 x short extended response, 40 minutes)

Secondary level (Levels 1, 2 and 3)

• Test 1: Written Expression (extended response, 25 minutes)​
• Test 2: Humanities – Comprehension and Interpretation (multiple choice, 40 minutes)​
• Test 3: Mathematics (multiple choice, 40 minutes)​
• Test 4: Written Expression (extended response, 25 minutes)

When is the application and test date?

Tests are usually held in February each year. Applications are usually open in September until the month of January next year. For exact dates and times, please follow the ACER Website.

What is needed for the application?

Supporting documentation for most applications (may vary from school to school). For example:​

• A copy of the student’s two most recent school reports​
• Most recent NAPLAN test results​
• A sample of the student’s written work (for example, an essay or short story)​
• A cover letter written by the student outlining the student’s interests, achievements and reasons why the student would like to attend the selected school​
• A cover letter from the students’ parents/guardians, detailing their reasons for seeking Academic Entrance.​

Ignite Entry Program

What is the Ignite Program?

Ignite is a program for gifted and talented students, giving them the opportunity to pursue excellence and strive for their personal best within a supportive environment. The program offers students the opportunity to progress at an accelerated rate commensurate with their ability. 

Who are the participating schools?

There are 3 participating schools for this program:

• Glenunga International High School
• The Heights School
• Aberfoyle Park High School

Who can sit for the test?

Students in Year 7 and some Year 6 students who have the maturity and ability to accelerate directly into Year 8, provided that they are selected for entry into the program based on their ACER assessment results.

What is the test structure?

• Reading Comprehension
• Written Expression
• Mathematical Reasoning
• Abstract Reasoning

When is the application and test date?

It will depend on the school. Please follow the school’s website for more information on the application dates. The test usually takes place in February each year.

How do I help my child to prepare for these scholarship tests?

Tutors SA offers several focused scholarship courses, such as the ACER Primary Scholarship Course (for students currently in Years 3 & 4) and ACER Scholarship Preparation Course and Ignite Entry Exam Preparation Course (for students currently in Years 5 & 6). These focused scholarship courses are carefully designed by our highly qualified tutors to improve students’ core academic skills to excel in these highly competitive entry exams. In addition, students will be trained in exam techniques and time management skills with increased confidence to succeed in these exams.

For more information, visit our website.