Edutest
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Cheat sheet
Keep the key ideas within reach.
ExploreKey terms
Get comfortable with the vocabulary.
ExploreStudy plan
Give each week a clear focus.
ExploreCommon mistakes
Understand the traps and how to avoid them.
ExploreCase studies
Put your knowledge to work in context.
ExploreExam-day guide
Prepare for the day ahead.
ExploreAbout this exam
Edutest is a suite of standardized ability and achievement tests used by many Australian independent and selective schools, and by some schools overseas, as one part of their scholarship, entrance and placement processes. It is not a single pass/fail examination and it does not award a qualification. Instead, a school receives a candidate's results and combines them with school reports, interviews, portfolios or other evidence to make its own decision. Candidates are typically students moving into a new year level, most often at the upper primary or early secondary stage, though the year levels tested vary by school.
The test battery samples several distinct skills: numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning, reading comprehension, mathematics achievement and a piece of written expression. Reasoning sections reward pattern-spotting and careful logic under time pressure; the achievement and comprehension sections reward solid school learning; the writing task rewards clear structure, control of language and a genuine response to the prompt.
Because the paper is timed and broad, preparation should be gradual rather than last-minute. Work through unfamiliar question types so nothing is a surprise, practise short timed sets to build pacing, read widely to strengthen vocabulary and comprehension, and write regularly to a prompt with a plan, a clear argument and a proofreading pass. Rest, sleep and familiarity with the test-day routine matter as much as extra practice.
What you'll study
About Edutest preparation
What does the Edutest actually involve?
Candidates sit several short multiple-choice sections covering numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning, reading comprehension and mathematics achievement, plus a written expression task. The exact mix and level depend on the year level and on what the registering school has ordered, so confirm the structure with the school you are applying to.
How long is the test and how many questions are there?
Timings and question counts vary by year level and by the assessment package a school chooses. The official Edutest website and the registering school publish the current details for your sitting. Do not rely on numbers repeated in forums, which often refer to older or different versions.
How difficult is it?
Most students find the reasoning sections challenging because of the pace rather than the content. Questions are pitched at the year level, but you must move quickly and stay accurate. The writing task is demanding because it is short and timed. Familiarity with question styles is the single biggest factor in feeling comfortable.
Can I retake the test if I do badly?
Retake rules are set by Edutest and by the receiving school, not by candidates. Some schools allow a later sitting, others do not, and results may be shared between schools within a set period. Ask the school's admissions office directly before assuming a second attempt is possible.
What score do I need to get in?
There is no universal cut-off. Schools set their own benchmarks and weigh results alongside reports, interviews and other evidence, and scholarship offers are usually highly competitive. The official body and the school publish whatever information they choose to release about scoring and reporting.
In what order should I prepare?
Start with question-type familiarity across all sections, then add short timed practice to build pacing. Read widely for vocabulary and comprehension, and write one planned, timed piece each week with a proofread. Leave the final week for light revision, sleep and a practice run at the real start time.
What are the most common mistakes?
Running out of time because of stubbornly finishing one hard question, misreading the question stem, guessing without eliminating options, and writing an unstructured essay with no plan. Careless errors in the mathematics section and skipping the proofreading pass in writing also cost marks that are easy to avoid.
How should I use practice tests?
Use them sparingly and honestly: sit them under real timing without pauses, then review every wrong answer to find the cause, whether it was knowledge, misreading or pacing. Chasing volume of practice papers is less useful than fixing the specific habits that cost you marks.
What happens on test day?
Arrive early with the required identification and stationery, listen carefully to instructions, and keep an eye on the clock in each section. If a question stalls you, mark it, move on and return if time allows. Eat and sleep normally beforehand; fatigue affects reasoning accuracy far more than one extra hour of cramming.