ICAS Mathematics
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ExploreAbout this exam
ICAS Mathematics is one of the six subjects in the ICAS academic competition - a school-based challenge run by Janison and supported by The University of Sydney, taken by students from Years 2 to 12 in Australia, New Zealand, Asia and further afield. It is a competition rather than a curriculum test: candidates sit a Mathematics paper pitched at their own year level, and outcomes are reported against clearly defined, nationally standardised achievement levels, so a result carries the same meaning wherever the paper was sat. Every participant receives a certificate; medals go to the highest achievers. Papers are delivered online through a locked-down browser, and across ICAS subjects the sitting runs 30–60 minutes depending on the subject and year level. The Mathematics paper's own length, question count and topic weightings are not published on the current site, so confirm details with your school or testing centre. Entry is arranged through a school or testing centre, with fees from $21.95 AUD per student in 2026. Preparation is straightforward: ICAS sells genuine past papers, which its own guidance calls the most effective way to prepare, and timed practice under exam conditions is the highest-value use of them. This page is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by ICAS or Janison.
What you'll study
About ICAS Mathematics preparation
What is the test format?
ICAS Mathematics is sat online through a locked-down browser, which restricts access to other applications during the sitting. ICAS does not publish a Mathematics question list or item-type breakdown on its current site; its own preparation guidance points to past papers as the way to learn the exact question style and problem-solving approach, so practise with those.
How long is the Mathematics paper?
ICAS states that sittings run 30–60 minutes depending on the subject and year level. The Mathematics-specific time limit is not published on the current site, and the Mathematics subject page currently returns an error. Treat 30–60 minutes as your planning range and confirm the exact allowance with your school or testing centre before the test window.
When is ICAS Mathematics held?
ICAS published a 2026 window of Monday 3 August to Friday 28 August, which has now passed. Dates for the next cycle have not been published; the site currently invites students and schools to register for 2027 updates. Check the official event calendar and your school's own scheduling before making plans.
How much does it cost to enter?
ICAS lists entry fees from $21.95 AUD per student for 2026. Fees are set per subject and per student, and the amount actually charged can differ by country and by how your school or testing centre administers entry. Consult the official entry fees page and your school coordinator for the figure that applies to you.
How hard is it, and what score do I need?
The paper is deliberately pitched beyond the classroom, and difficulty scales with the year-level paper you sit. ICAS does not publish a pass mark for Mathematics; instead results are reported against defined, nationally standardised achievement levels, and every participant receives a certificate regardless of score. Aim to answer accurately under time rather than chasing a target percentage.
Can I retake the paper if I do badly?
No retake policy is published for ICAS Mathematics. The competition runs within a fixed annual window, so a sitting is generally a one-off for that year. If a result disappoints, the practical route is to review the skill-area breakdown in your results report, work through past papers, and re-enter in the following year's cycle.
Which paper do I sit?
ICAS offers Mathematics across Years 2 to 12, and candidates sit the paper for their own year level rather than choosing a difficulty tier. Confirm your year-level entry when your school registers you, since sitting the wrong paper is one of the few errors that cannot be corrected after the window opens.
What is the best order to prepare in?
Start with a full past paper under timed conditions to expose weak areas, then read your results against skill areas rather than a single total. Revisit the topics that cost you most marks, and finish with a second timed paper to check that speed and accuracy have both improved. ICAS describes past papers as the most effective preparation.
What equipment do I need on the day?
You sit the paper on a computer through the ICAS locked-down browser, so check device compatibility and browser setup in advance using the official device setup and technical support pages. Technical failure is a common avoidable cause of a poor sitting - test your device on the same network you will use before the window opens.