ACER scholarship tests: 2028 entry dates (tests sat in February 2027)
For 2028 entry, ACER's cooperative scholarship test is on 27 February 2027 (applications close 7 February), and the test for South Australian schools in ACER's ACEP program is on 6 February 2027. Schools may use alternative dates, and each school sets its own fee.
Last checked against the official sources.
For 2028 entry (tests sat in February 2027), ACER's cooperative test is Saturday 27 February 2027 (applications close midnight AEDT Sunday 7 February 2027). The ACEP test for South Australian schools is Saturday 6 February 2027 (applications close 11:30pm ACDT Friday 22 January 2027). Schools may join an alternative-date program instead, and schools set the fee.
How these tests differ from selective entry
A scholarship test is run for independent schools. A school uses the result to award scholarships, and some use it in admission decisions. It is not a selective government school test. ACER describes the tests as skills-based and designed to rank applicants, differentiating the top end of performance.
Official dates for 2028 entry
- Applications open for both programs (2028 entry): Monday 21 September 2026.
- Cooperative program (Queensland, NSW, NT, WA, Victoria): test Saturday 27 February 2027. Applications close midnight AEDT Sunday 7 February 2027.
- ACEP, South Australia: test Saturday 6 February 2027. Applications close 11:30pm ACDT Friday 22 January 2027.
These are the cooperative dates only. Each school joins either the cooperative program or an alternative-date program, and ACER says most Victorian schools use the alternative dates. Check your school's own date on ACER's participating schools list or the school's website.
Parents apply and pay for each school separately. ACER says each school sets its own fee, so check each school's website.
Special arrangements
For ACER tests, ACER says modified conditions are possible with medical evidence from the last 12 months, applied for at least four weeks before the test.
Coaching and preparation
ACER says: "short-term training for the tests is unlikely to improve performance." It suggests reading widely and thinking critically. Familiarisation with question types is reasonable. Drilling is not what ACER recommends.
ACER, Edutest and other providers
ACER and Edutest are independent test providers that schools hire. Both sell their own practice materials. We do not sell or copy their tests or practice papers, and we endorse neither. Some schools use Edutest or their own tests. Edutest lists its dates school by school, so use Edutest's registering page and the school's scholarship page. Edutest's rules include a separate payment for each school, and a registration fee set by each school. For special arrangements, Edutest asks for requests at least 14 days before a test date, and the school decides.
ExamExplained is run alongside a tutoring business and is not affiliated with ACER or Edutest. Any practice items on this site are original, not official, and not endorsed by ACER or Edutest. Last checked 7 October 2026.