Complete 2026 Guide to EduTest Scholarship Tests

EduTest is one of Australia's most widely used entrance assessments for selective schools, scholarship programs, and accelerated learning opportunities across Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, and South Australia. Unlike curriculum-based achievement tests, EduTest specifically measures cognitive abilities and reasoning skills that predict academic potential.

If your child will sit EduTest this year, understanding exactly what the assessment involves—from format and sections to scoring and percentile rankings—gives you a strategic advantage. Schools use EduTest results differently: some rely heavily on percentile scores for scholarship allocation, others combine results with interviews and academic records, and many use specific percentile thresholds for program entry.

This comprehensive guide explains everything you need to know about EduTest 2026: the precise test structure, what each section assesses, how timing works, what percentile rankings mean, and how schools interpret results to make selection decisions.

What Is EduTest?

Understanding EduTest's purpose and design helps contextualize why it assesses what it does.

Purpose and Use

EduTest is a cognitive assessment developed specifically for educational selection purposes. It measures reasoning abilities rather than learned curriculum content.

Schools and programs use EduTest for:

• Scholarship selection at independent schools
• Entry into selective programs and accelerated streams
• Identifying academically gifted students
• Year 7 or Year 9 entry to selective secondary schools
• Comparing candidates from different schools on a standardized measure

Unlike NAPLAN (which measures curriculum achievement) or selective entry tests (which are government-run), EduTest is administered by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) specifically for schools that choose this assessment tool.

Who Takes EduTest?

Typical test-takers:

• Year 5 or Year 6 students applying for Year 7 selective entry
• Year 8 students applying for Year 9 entry programs
• Students from Years 4-10 applying for scholarships
• Candidates for academically selective or accelerated programs

The specific year level and purpose depends on the school or program requiring the assessment.

What EduTest Measures

EduTest assesses five core domains:

Verbal Reasoning: Language-based thinking, vocabulary knowledge, verbal analogies, word relationships, and critical reasoning with words and concepts.

Numerical Reasoning: Cognitive reasoning abilities using numbers, including series analysis, deduction, and arithmetical reasoning.

Reading Comprehension: Reading and comprehension abilities from given excerpts or passages.

Mathematics: Age-appropriate mathematical knowledge including numbers, measurement, algebra, spatial reasoning, and data interpretation.

Written Expression: Ability to communicate ideas effectively in writing, including planning, structuring, developing arguments, and using language persuasively or creatively.

These five domains together provide schools with a comprehensive picture of a student's academic abilities.

EduTest Format and Structure

Understanding the precise test parameters helps students prepare strategically.

Test Duration and Sections

Total Testing Time: Approximately 2.5 hours (including breaks)

Section 1: Verbal Reasoning

• Time Allowed: 30 minutes
• Number of Questions: 30-35 questions
• Format: Multiple choice
• Content: Vocabulary, analogies, word relationships, critical reasoning

Section 2: Numerical Reasoning

• Time Allowed: 30 minutes
• Number of Questions: 30-35 questions
• Format: Multiple choice
• Calculator: NOT permitted

Section 3: Reading Comprehension

• Time Allowed: 30 minutes
• Number of Questions: 30-35 questions
• Format: Multiple choice
• Content: Comprehension questions based on passages

Section 4: Mathematics

• Time Allowed: 30 minutes
• Number of Questions: 30-35 questions
• Format: Multiple choice
• Calculator: NOT permitted

Section 5: Written Expression

• Time Allowed: 15-30 minutes (varies by test level)
• Format: Extended response to writing prompt(s)
• Task Type: Either narrative/creative OR persuasive/expository
• Length: Students write continuously for the allotted time

Between sections, students typically receive short breaks (2-5 minutes) to rest and refocus.

Question Format

Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, and Mathematics: All questions are multiple choice with 4-5 answer options. Students select the single best answer for each question.

Written Expression: Students respond to one or more extended writing prompts. They receive lined paper (or a typing interface if testing online) and write for the allotted time period. There is no minimum or maximum word count, but students are expected to write complete, well-developed responses.

Age-Appropriate Versions

EduTest creates age-appropriate versions for different year levels. A Year 5 student and a Year 9 student taking EduTest will receive different tests calibrated to their developmental level, but both produce percentile scores that allow comparison within age cohorts.

This means preparation should focus on reasoning skills and thinking strategies rather than simply memorizing advanced content.

Numerical Reasoning Section

The number-based reasoning component tests cognitive abilities with numbers.

What It Tests

Numerical Reasoning assesses:

• Number patterns and sequences
• Series analysis and pattern recognition
• Arithmetical reasoning and deduction
• Logical problem-solving with numbers
• Quantitative relationships and comparisons

The emphasis is on reasoning and cognitive ability with numbers rather than learned mathematical procedures.

What Makes It Challenging

Numerical Reasoning presents unfamiliar problem types requiring flexible thinking. Students must identify patterns, apply logic, and reason systematically without relying on memorized formulas.

Time pressure is significant: approximately 1 minute per question with no calculator permitted means students need efficient mental math skills and pattern recognition abilities.

Reading Comprehension Section

The reading component assesses comprehension and interpretation abilities.

What It Tests

Reading Comprehension evaluates:

• Literal comprehension of passages
• Inference and interpretation
• Understanding main ideas and supporting details
• Vocabulary in context
• Author's purpose and perspective
• Making connections between ideas

What Makes It Challenging

Students must read passages quickly and accurately, then answer questions testing both surface-level understanding and deeper interpretation. Time management is crucial with multiple passages and questions to complete.

Mathematics Section

The mathematics component tests age-appropriate mathematical knowledge and application.

What It Tests

Mathematics assesses:

• Number operations and place value
• Fractions, decimals, percentages, and ratio
• Measurement and geometry
• Data interpretation from tables, graphs, and charts
• Algebraic concepts and patterns
• Word problems requiring mathematical application
• Spatial reasoning

The emphasis is on applying mathematical knowledge rather than just computation.

What Makes It Challenging

Unlike school math tests, EduTest Mathematics often presents problems in unfamiliar contexts requiring flexible application of concepts. Students can't rely solely on memorized procedures—they must understand mathematical principles deeply.

Time pressure with no calculator means students need strong mental math skills and efficient problem-solving strategies.

MID-ARTICLE PRODUCT LINK:

EduTest success requires both strong reasoning skills and strategic practice. EduCourse's EduTest preparation package provides comprehensive practice across all five sections—Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Mathematics, and Written Expression—with detailed performance analytics showing exactly where your child excels and where focused practice will yield the greatest improvement.

Verbal Reasoning Section

The language-based reasoning component assesses thinking with words and concepts.

What It Tests

Verbal Reasoning assesses:

• Vocabulary knowledge and word meanings
• Reading comprehension across various text types
• Verbal analogies and word relationships
• Critical reasoning with written information
• Inference and deduction from text
• Understanding of language patterns and structures
• Ability to analyze arguments and identify assumptions

This section measures how effectively students can think logically using language as the medium.

Question Types

Typical question formats include:

• Vocabulary in context: Determine word meanings from context
• Analogies: Identify relationships between word pairs
• Reading comprehension: Answer questions about passages
• Sentence completion: Choose words that logically complete sentences
• Verbal classification: Identify which word doesn't belong
• Critical reasoning: Analyze arguments, identify assumptions, evaluate conclusions
• Word relationships: Understand synonyms, antonyms, part-whole relationships

What Makes It Challenging

The difficulty comes from:

• Sophisticated vocabulary: Words well beyond typical grade-level expectations
• Complex reasoning: Multi-step logical thinking required
• Unfamiliar content: Passages and scenarios outside students' typical experience
• Time pressure: Approximately 45-50 seconds per question
• Nuanced distinctions: Multiple answer options that seem plausible

Success requires both broad vocabulary knowledge and flexible reasoning skills—students must think about language in sophisticated ways, not just know definitions.

Written Expression Section

The writing component assesses communication skills through extended response.

What It Tests

Written Expression evaluates:

• Ability to understand and respond to a prompt
• Planning and organizational skills
• Idea development and elaboration
• Paragraph and essay structure
• Vocabulary range and precision
• Sentence variety and complexity
• Grammar, punctuation, and spelling accuracy
• Persuasive or narrative writing techniques (depending on prompt type)

This section reveals how effectively students can communicate complex ideas in writing.

Prompt Types

Students receive one writing task, typically falling into these categories:

Persuasive/Expository Prompts:

• Argue for or against a position
• Explain a viewpoint with supporting reasons
• Convince readers of an opinion
• Example: "Should students be allowed to use mobile phones at school? Argue your position with specific reasons and examples."

Narrative/Creative Prompts:

• Tell a story based on a scenario or starting point
• Develop characters, setting, plot, and conflict
• Use descriptive and engaging language
• Example: "Write a story that begins with the sentence: 'The door that had been locked for years suddenly opened.'"

Students typically don't choose between prompt types—they respond to whichever prompt appears on their test.

Scoring Rubric

Written Expression is scored by trained assessors using detailed rubrics evaluating:

Ideas and Content (35% of score):

• Relevance to the prompt
• Depth and development of ideas
• Use of specific examples and details
• Originality and creativity

Structure and Organization (25% of score):

• Clear introduction, body, and conclusion
• Logical progression of ideas
• Effective paragraph structure
• Appropriate transitions

Language and Vocabulary (25% of score):

• Vocabulary range and precision
• Sentence variety and complexity
• Appropriate tone and voice
• Effective word choice

Conventions (15% of score):

• Grammar accuracy
• Punctuation and spelling
• Sentence structure correctness

Scores typically range from 1-6 or 1-8 depending on the rubric version, with higher scores indicating superior writing ability.

Time Management Challenge

Thirty minutes sounds adequate, but students must:

• Read and understand the prompt (2 minutes)
• Plan their response and organize ideas (3-5 minutes)
• Write the essay (20-22 minutes)
• Review and edit (2-3 minutes)

Poor time management—spending too long planning or writing an introduction—often results in incomplete responses, which significantly impact scores.

Scoring and Percentile Rankings

Understanding how EduTest results are reported helps interpret your child's performance.

Raw Scores vs. Percentile Scores

Raw Scores: The number of questions answered correctly. These vary by test version and aren't directly comparable across different sittings or year levels.

Percentile Scores: The percentage of students in the same age cohort that your child's performance exceeded. For example:

• 75th percentile: Your child scored higher than 75% of students the same age
• 90th percentile: Your child scored higher than 90% of students the same age
• 99th percentile: Your child scored higher than 99% of students the same age

Schools primarily use percentile rankings because they allow meaningful comparison regardless of test version or difficulty.

Score Reports

EduTest score reports typically include:

• Overall Percentile: Composite score across all sections
• Quantitative Reasoning Percentile: Performance in the mathematics section
• Verbal Reasoning Percentile: Performance in the language section
• Written Expression Percentile: Performance in the writing section

Some reports also include stanine scores (1-9 scale) or narrative descriptions of performance levels.

What Percentile Scores Mean

General interpretation:

90th+ percentile: Excellent performance; strong candidate for selective programs and scholarships
75th-89th percentile: Above-average performance; competitive for many programs
50th-74th percentile: Average to above-average; meets thresholds for some programs
25th-49th percentile: Below average compared to age cohort
Below 25th percentile: Significant gap compared to peers

However, schools set their own thresholds. Some scholarship programs require 95th+ percentile; others accept 80th+ percentile combined with strong interviews or academic records.

Age-Based Comparison

Percentiles always compare students to same-age peers, not same-grade peers. This means:

• A younger Year 6 student is compared to other students the same age, not necessarily other Year 6 students
• Older students for their year level aren't penalized
• The comparison is developmentally fair

This age-adjustment ensures fair comparison across students who may be taking the test for different purposes or year levels.

How Schools Use EduTest Results

Different schools and programs apply EduTest scores in different ways.

Scholarship Selection

Many independent schools use EduTest percentiles as the primary factor in scholarship decisions:

High-value scholarships (50-100% tuition): Often require 95th+ percentile overall, with strong performance across all three sections.

Moderate scholarships (25-50% tuition): Typically require 85th-90th+ percentile, sometimes combined with interview or academic record review.

Merit-based bursaries: May have lower percentile thresholds (75th-80th+) but consider financial need alongside results.

Some schools set minimum thresholds for each section, meaning students must perform well across all three components, not just achieve a high overall score.

Selective Program Entry

Schools offering academically selective streams or accelerated programs often use EduTest as a gating mechanism:

• Students must achieve a minimum percentile (often 80th, 85th, or 90th) to qualify for entry
• Results may be combined with teacher recommendations or school academic records
• Some programs weight certain sections more heavily (e.g., requiring particularly strong Quantitative scores for STEM programs)

Holistic Admissions

Some schools use EduTest as one component of a broader admissions process:

• EduTest results (40-60% weighting)
• Interview performance (20-30% weighting)
• Academic transcript and teacher reports (20-30% weighting)
• Extra-curricular achievements or personal statements (10-20% weighting)

In these cases, strong EduTest performance helps but doesn't guarantee admission, and slightly lower scores can be offset by excellence in other areas.

Key Differences from Other Tests

Understanding how EduTest differs from other common assessments helps clarify preparation strategy.

EduTest vs. NAPLAN

NAPLAN:

• Curriculum-based achievement test
• Measures learning outcomes from Australian Curriculum
• Universal participation (all students in Years 3, 5, 7, 9)
• Four sections: Reading, Writing, Language Conventions, Numeracy
• Results reported in achievement bands

EduTest:

• Cognitive ability and reasoning assessment
• Measures thinking skills and potential, not curriculum knowledge
• Selective participation (students applying for specific programs)
• Three sections: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Written Expression
• Results reported in percentiles

NAPLAN preparation involves mastering curriculum content; EduTest preparation involves developing reasoning strategies and thinking skills.

EduTest vs. ACER Scholarship Tests

Both are developed by ACER, but with different structures:

ACER Tests:

• Four sections: Reading, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning, Abstract Reasoning
• Includes Abstract Reasoning (pattern recognition with shapes/figures)
• Each section typically 25-30 minutes
• More commonly used in Victoria for selective entry

EduTest:

• Three sections: Quantitative, Verbal, Written Expression
• No separate reading section; reading integrated into Verbal Reasoning
• Includes extended writing component (30 minutes)
• More commonly used for scholarships across multiple states

Both assess reasoning abilities, but the specific section structures differ.

EduTest vs. State Selective Entry Tests

NSW/VIC Selective Entry Tests:

• Government-administered for public selective schools
• Very specific formats (NSW: Reading, Math, Thinking Skills; VIC: Numerical, Reading, Verbal, Writing)
• All students take identical tests on the same day
• Placement scores used for offer allocation

EduTest:

• Administered by individual schools on various dates
• Multiple test versions throughout the year
• Percentile scores rather than placement scores
• Used for independent school selection, not government selective programs

Students may take both types if applying to different school systems.

Preparing for EduTest

Effective preparation focuses on building reasoning skills, not memorizing content.

Start Early (3-6 Months Before)

Unlike curriculum tests where cramming can help, EduTest assesses thinking skills that develop over time through consistent practice.

Recommended timeline:

• 6 months before: Begin building foundational skills (vocabulary, mental math fluency, writing practice)
• 3-4 months before: Start regular practice with EduTest-style questions
• 2 months before: Take full-length practice tests to build stamina and time management
• Final month: Targeted practice on weak areas, full test simulations

Section-Specific Strategies

Verbal Reasoning:

• Expand vocabulary through wide reading and word study
• Practice identifying relationships between words (analogies, classifications)
• Work on verbal logic and reasoning with unfamiliar word problems

Numerical Reasoning:

• Develop strong mental math skills and number sense
• Practice pattern recognition in number sequences
• Learn to identify rules and relationships in numerical problems
• Build systematic reasoning approaches

Reading Comprehension:

• Practice reading diverse text types efficiently
• Develop comprehension strategies (inference, main idea identification)
• Work on answering questions accurately under time pressure
• Build vocabulary through wide reading

Mathematics:

• Master age-appropriate mathematical concepts and operations
• Practice applying math knowledge to unfamiliar problems
• Develop efficient mental calculation skills (no calculator)
• Work on multi-step word problems

Written Expression:

• Practice both persuasive and narrative writing under timed conditions
• Learn efficient planning techniques (2-3 minutes maximum)
• Develop strong opening and closing paragraph strategies
• Build editing skills for quick final review

Practice Under Test Conditions

Regular full-length practice tests are essential:

• Builds stamina for 2.5-hour testing session
• Develops time management skills for each section
• Reduces test-day anxiety through familiarity
• Identifies areas needing focused improvement

Aim for at least 3-5 full practice tests in the final 2 months before your test date.

Test-Day Considerations

Practical preparation ensures your child performs at their best on test day.

What to Bring

Required:

• Admission confirmation or test registration details
• Photo identification (check school requirements)
• Several sharpened pencils and quality eraser
• Water bottle (if permitted by testing center)

Not Permitted:

• Calculators (not allowed for Quantitative section)
• Mobile phones or smart watches
• Notes, books, or study materials
• Dictionaries

Mental Preparation

Test anxiety significantly impacts performance. Help your child:

• Develop positive self-talk ("I've prepared well; I'm ready")
• Practice relaxation techniques (deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation)
• Maintain perspective (this test is important but doesn't define their worth)
• Trust their preparation rather than cramming the night before

Physical Preparation

Practical steps for peak performance:

• Get 8-9 hours sleep the night before
• Eat a substantial, balanced breakfast
• Arrive 20-30 minutes early to settle in without rushing
• Use bathroom breaks between sections
• Stay hydrated (if permitted)

EduCourse's EduTest Prep

Master EduTest 2026 with Strategic Preparation

EduCourse's EduTest Preparation Package provides everything your child needs to excel: diagnostic assessments identifying current strengths and areas for improvement across all five sections, 1000+ practice questions specifically designed to build Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Mathematics, and Written Expression skills, AI-powered writing feedback that provides detailed improvement suggestions for every essay, full-length practice tests with authentic timing and format, and comprehensive analytics showing progress at the sub-skill level. Build the reasoning skills and test-taking confidence that lead to 90th+ percentile results. All for $199.