Albany Creek State High School: how does the Catalyst HAST test work?
Independent. Not affiliated with Albany Creek State High School, the Queensland Department of Education or ACER.
Albany Creek State High School's Catalyst class fits Years 7–9 in two years1Albany Creek SHS · 12 October 2026 · Published, and entry is based on the HAST held at the school1Albany Creek SHS · 12 October 2026 · Published. For Year 7 in 2028, the Catalyst HAST date is not published2Albany Creek SHS · 13 October 2026 · Not published.
What is Catalyst at Albany Creek?
Catalyst is an accelerated pathway in Science and Mathematics1Albany Creek SHS · 13 October 2026 · Published. Its class works through Years 7–9 in two years1Albany Creek SHS · 12 October 2026 · Published, so students reach senior subjects sooner.
It is one of the school's Programs of Excellence, and a student can take only one formal Program of Excellence1Albany Creek SHS · 13 October 2026 · Published.
A faster pace
Years 7 to 9 covered in two years. 1Albany Creek SHS · 12 October 2026 · Published
More homework
Expect homework of about 30 minutes after each Science and Mathematics lesson in the first two years1Albany Creek SHS · 13 October 2026 · Published.
One program at a time
Catalyst rules out the other formal Programs of Excellence. 1Albany Creek SHS · 13 October 2026 · Published
A way back
If it doesn't suit, families and the school agree the right pathway together1Albany Creek SHS · 13 October 2026 · Published.
How do children apply for Catalyst?
Selection is based on the HAST held at the school1Albany Creek SHS · 12 October 2026 · Published, read alongside a written Student Response and general academic achievement1Albany Creek SHS · 13 October 2026 · Published. You apply to the school, not through a central test.
Write the Student Response
Your child answers a question in a short paragraph. The form asks: “Tell us about your passion for Mathematics and Science and why you feel this course is the right fit for you.”1Albany Creek SHS · 13 October 2026 · Published
Show general achievement
General academic achievement counts too, so keep recent school reports to hand. 1Albany Creek SHS · 13 October 2026 · Published
The Student Response is a chance for your child's own voice. Let them write it, then read it together.
What will my child sit on the HAST day?
Albany Creek doesn't say which HAST papers it uses. ACER's test comes as three or four tests, chosen by the school3Brisbane State High · 12 October 2026 · Published, so ask the school which ones your child will sit.
| What you may want to know | The answer |
|---|---|
| Who runs the test | The school, on site, using ACER's HAST 1Albany Creek SHS · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Which parts | Not listed by the school 3Brisbane State High · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Cost | A$1071Albany Creek SHS · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Sitting at another HAST school too | a separate sitting at each school, and only one school when two test on the same day4ACER · 13 October 2026 · Published |
If your child also applies to a HAST school nearby, check both dates early. If the dates clash, you will have to choose.
How can my child prepare for the HAST?
Keep it light. ACER, which writes the HAST, says short-term training is unlikely to improve performance, and the best preparation is to read widely and think critically4ACER · 13 October 2026 · Published.
That suits Catalyst, where the Student Response and school results count as well as the test. 1Albany Creek SHS · 13 October 2026 · Published A child who reads, asks questions and enjoys Science is already preparing.
For Year 7 entry, the level is Junior Secondary, sat in Year 6 or Year 7 for entry into Year 7 or Year 84ACER · 13 October 2026 · Published. Old tests aren't an option: past papers are not available4ACER · 13 October 2026 · Published. To see the question styles, try ACER's Sample Question Booklet, sold in its online shop, plus a few free sample questions in each Student Information Bulletin4ACER · 13 October 2026 · Published.
When was the last Catalyst test, and what comes next?
For Year 7 in 2028, the Catalyst HAST date is not published2Albany Creek SHS · 13 October 2026 · Not published. The last round, for Year 7 in 2027, is a guide to the season.
| Step, Year 7 in 2027 | Date |
|---|---|
| Form returned by | 1 June 20261Albany Creek SHS · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| First HAST sitting | 13 June 20262Albany Creek SHS · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Extra Term 3 sitting | Not published2Albany Creek SHS · 12 October 2026 · Not published |
| Year 7 in 2028 HAST | Not published2Albany Creek SHS · 13 October 2026 · Not published |
The school's sources differ on timing. The form gave a closing date. 1Albany Creek SHS · 12 October 2026 · Published The program page later said applications remain open, with an extra Term 3 sitting. 2Albany Creek SHS · 12 October 2026 · Published
Can families outside the catchment apply?
Yes, with an extra form: a Catchment Exemption Application, because catchment students have priority5Albany Creek SHS · 13 October 2026 · Published. A Program of Excellence can open a place, but only if your child meets that program's criteria and its set number of places isn't already filled from the catchment6Albany Creek SHS · 13 October 2026 · Published.
So a Catalyst place matters more for a family outside the catchment. Out-of-catchment places follow the school's Enrolment Management Plan. 6Albany Creek SHS · 13 October 2026 · Published
Is there a cut-off for Catalyst?
No. A Catalyst cut-off is not published1Albany Creek SHS · 13 October 2026 · Not published, so there is no score to aim for. The HAST result is read with the Student Response and general achievement. 1Albany Creek SHS · 13 October 2026 · Published
We don't rank schools, and no score on any website predicts a Catalyst place.
What happens after the HAST?
The school hears first: ACER sends results to the school, and the school contacts you4ACER · 13 October 2026 · Published. Albany Creek then reads the result with the Student Response and general achievement. 1Albany Creek SHS · 13 October 2026 · Published
ACER's report shows how your child did compared with students of a similar age who sat the same test4ACER · 13 October 2026 · Published. It compares your child with the children who sat on the same day, so treat it as a snapshot.
If Catalyst doesn't come through, ACER notes the HAST is built to challenge high achievers, so missing a place doesn't mean your child did badly4ACER · 13 October 2026 · Published. Talk to the school about the rest of its Year 7 program, and keep the focus on your child's next step.
Where is Albany Creek State High, and when is the school day?
The school is at Albany Forest Drive, Albany Creek Qld 40357Albany Creek SHS · 12 October 2026 · Published. School hours are 8.50am to 2.50pm8Albany Creek SHS · 13 October 2026 · Published.
The next listed school tour is on 16 October 20269Albany Creek SHS · 13 October 2026 · Published at 9 am Brisbane time, booked online through the school. Plan your commute opens the school in your own map app.
Is Catalyst a good fit for your child?
Catalyst suits a child who wants more Science and Maths, sooner. Tick what's true; nothing is saved or sent.
Your child loves Science and Maths, and wants a faster class. 1Albany Creek SHS · 13 October 2026 · Published
Your child can manage homework of about 30 minutes after each Science and Mathematics lesson in the first two years1Albany Creek SHS · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Giving up a sport or arts program is fine. 1Albany Creek SHS · 13 October 2026 · Published
The daily trip to Albany Creek works for your family. 7Albany Creek SHS · 12 October 2026 · Published
You know there's a way back if the pace is too much. 1Albany Creek SHS · 13 October 2026 · Published
Questions parents ask about Albany Creek and Catalyst
Can my child do Catalyst and a sports program?
Not as two formal programs: a student can take only one formal Program of Excellence1Albany Creek SHS · 13 October 2026 · Published. Ask the school about clubs and teams outside the programs.
What happens if Catalyst is too much?
Talk to the school. If wellbeing, workload or progress is a worry, families and the school agree the right pathway together1Albany Creek SHS · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Are there HAST samples or past papers?
Samples, yes; past papers, no. ACER says past papers are not available4ACER · 13 October 2026 · Published, but it sells a sample booklet, and its free bulletins hold a few questions. 4ACER · 13 October 2026 · Published
What time does Albany Creek State High finish?
The school day runs 8.50am to 2.50pm8Albany Creek SHS · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Is the HAST the same as the NSW Selective test?
No. The HAST here is ACER's test, run by the school for its own program. The NSW Selective test is sat on computers provided by the Department10NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, and it is held only in NSW10NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published.