The EduTest scholarship test
7 min read ยท updated 2026-10-13
EduTest runs scholarship and entrance tests for many Australian independent schools, as well as tests used by some NSW and Victorian selective entry high schools and by John Monash Science School. Each school chooses the test, the year levels and the dates, and registration goes through the school.
The five tests
EduTest's scholarship and entrance tests have two ability tests and three achievement tests:
- โ Verbal reasoning (30 minutes, multiple choice): vocabulary, word relationships, classification and deduction
- โ Numerical reasoning (30 minutes, multiple choice): series, matrices, arithmetical reasoning and deduction
- โ Reading comprehension (30 minutes, multiple choice): interpreting passages, and correcting, completing and punctuating sentences
- โ Mathematics (30 minutes, multiple choice): number, measurement, algebra, space and data at year level
- โ Written expression (15 minutes, with no separate planning or reading time): the task may be creative, descriptive, narrative, persuasive, expository or informative
How schools use the results
Ability tests measure how a student reasons without relying on prior knowledge; achievement tests measure what they have learned. Schools combine the results with school reports and often an interview, so a weak written task can hold back a strong reasoning score. Selective schools have their own results transfer process, set out on each school's registration site.
Preparing
- โ Practise each multiple-choice test in 30 minutes: the pace surprises most students
- โ Learn the common verbal reasoning question types; they improve quickly with exposure
- โ Write to 15 minutes weekly, rotating narrative, persuasive, descriptive and informative tasks; with no separate planning time, plan in the first two minutes
- โ Use official EduTest practice tests; John Monash Science School recommends them
- โ Practise on a bubble answer sheet: answers circled in the question booklet are not marked
- โ Check with each school which year level and test date apply
A 10-week plan
- โ Weeks 1-2: one practice test per section to find the weakest area
- โ Weeks 3-6: daily 15-minute sets on the weakest two sections; two timed pieces of writing a week
- โ Weeks 7-9: full timed tests in one sitting to build stamina
- โ Week 10: review errors only, then rest; arrive early with everything the school's instructions list
FAQs
What is on the EduTest scholarship test?๏ผ
Verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, reading comprehension and mathematics (30 minutes each, multiple choice), plus a 15-minute written expression task.
Which schools use EduTest?๏ผ
Many independent schools for scholarships and entry, some NSW and Victorian selective entry high schools, and John Monash Science School. Check each school's registration page.
How long is the EduTest writing task?๏ผ
15 minutes, with no separate planning or reading time.
Is EduTest the same as ACER?๏ผ
No. ACER runs a separate scholarship test with written expression, humanities and mathematics papers.
How should my child prepare?๏ผ
Timed practice in each section, regular reading and weekly timed writing over several months.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these official sources on 2026-10-13.
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