IGNITE test format: the four papers your child sits
Independent. Not affiliated with the SA Department for Education, ACER or the IGNITE schools.
The next IGNITE test, for Year 7 entry in 2028, is on 20 February 20271Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published: four ACER papers on paper, Reading Comprehension, Mathematical Reasoning, Abstract Reasoning and Written Expression1Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published. Last round they took 452The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published, 402The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published, 302The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published and 252The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published minutes.
What are the four IGNITE papers?
The IGNITE test has four papers: Reading Comprehension, Mathematical Reasoning, Abstract Reasoning and Written Expression1Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published. They come from ACER's Higher Ability Selection Test (HAST), and ACER marks them. 1Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published
A Year 6 child applying for Year 7 sits the Junior Secondary level of HAST Secondary3ACER HAST parents · 13 October 2026 · Published.
| Paper | Minutes, last round | Questions, in ACER's bulletin | What it measures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 452The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published | between 35 and 404Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published | how well a child understands and interprets ideas in written and visual material4Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| Mathematical Reasoning | 402The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published | between 28 and 354Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published | mathematical ability, not school achievement in maths4Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| Abstract Reasoning | 302The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published | 304Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published | Picture puzzles: identifying and completing picture sequences and patterns4Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| Written Expression | 252The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published | One piece of writing | expressing thoughts and feelings in writing4Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published |
The question counts are ACER's ranges for its secondary papers, and the number depends on the form used. The IGNITE schools publish minutes but no question counts of their own. 4Brisbane State High · 12 October 2026 · Published
In what order are the papers sat?
Last round the order was Reading Comprehension, Mathematical Reasoning, a break, Abstract Reasoning, then Written Expression2The Heights · 13 October 2026 · Published. ACER's bulletin also places a short break between the second and third tests4Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Reading Comprehension
452The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published minutes of passages and multiple-choice questions.
Mathematical Reasoning
402The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published minutes, with no calculator.
A break
Time for a snack and a water bottle4Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published your child brings.
Abstract Reasoning
302The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published minutes of picture sequences and patterns.
Written Expression
252The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published minutes, last of all, when your child is already tired.
The bars show last round's minutes for each paper to scale, in the order they were sat.
How long does the whole IGNITE session take?
The session runs longer than the papers add up to. Glenunga says about 31Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published hours with a break, and The Heights says 3 to 5 hours including a break5The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published.
Arriving
Collecting
This round's times
Your testing school sends a letter with the day's details after you register. 2The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published
Is the IGNITE test on paper or on a computer?
It is on paper, and no laptop is needed. 5The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published Children get an answer sheet for the multiple-choice tests and lined paper for writing4Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Each multiple-choice question has 44Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published options, A to D, shaded in pencil. ACER uses machine scoring for multiple choice, and qualified human markers for the writing6ACER HAST · 13 October 2026 · Published.
The NSW Selective test is different: it is sat on computers provided by the Department7NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published.
What does each IGNITE paper test?
Each paper tests reasoning more than school content. ACER says the HAST tests skills and aptitude, not retrieved knowledge6ACER HAST · 13 October 2026 · Published, and its items assess analysis, comprehension, interpretation and reasoning4Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Reading Comprehension
Reading Comprehension measures how well a child understands and interprets ideas in written and visual material4Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published. It has between 35 and 404Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published multiple-choice questions, depending on the form.
Passages can come from many subjects, but all the information needed is printed on the paper4Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Mathematical Reasoning
Mathematical Reasoning measures mathematical ability, not school achievement in maths4Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published. ACER says the questions may differ from standard school maths materials4Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published.
It has between 28 and 354Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published multiple-choice questions, depending on the form. Children need no dictionary, ruler, paper or calculator4Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Abstract Reasoning
Abstract Reasoning is a non-verbal test4Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published: identifying and completing picture sequences and patterns4Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published. It has 304Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published questions.
The NSW Selective test has no picture-pattern paper. Its Thinking Skills section tests critical thinking and problem solving, with no previous knowledge needed8NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published. 8NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published
Written Expression
Written Expression is one piece of writing in pen on lined paper. It focuses on expressing thoughts and feelings in writing4Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published. Read the IGNITE writing guide.
How is the IGNITE test marked?
ACER marks every paper in Melbourne, and each school chooses its students from the ACER results. 1Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published
Guessing costs nothing
People read the writing
Markers judge what your child has to say, how well it is organised, and how clearly and effectively it is expressed4Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Results by email
Each school decides
ACER says a school's own criteria may not rest entirely on the test results3ACER HAST parents · 13 October 2026 · Published.
What should my child bring on test day?
ACER's bulletin lists a short kit, and nothing else is needed. 4Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published
Pencils: two HB or 2B pencils4Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published, for the answer sheet.
Pens: two blue or black pens4Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published, for the writing paper.
Food: a snack and a water bottle4Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published for the break.
The student ID, which arrives by email in the week before the assessment1Glenunga · 13 October 2026 · Published.
The letter from your testing school, with the day's details. 2The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published
Do all schools that use the HAST set the same papers?
No. ACER sells the HAST as three or four tests, chosen by the school4Brisbane State High · 12 October 2026 · Published, so each school picks a package. IGNITE uses all four papers.
| School or program | What applicants sit | More |
|---|---|---|
| IGNITE at Glenunga, The Heights and Aberfoyle Park | All four papers 1Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published | IGNITE |
| Norwood International, STEM program | Reading Comprehension, Mathematical Reasoning and Abstract Reasoning9Norwood International · 13 October 2026 · Published | Norwood |
| Adelaide Botanic, Health and STEM pathway | a school report, a 2 minute introduction video and the HAST10Adelaide Botanic · 15 October 2026 · Published | Adelaide Botanic |
Each school runs its own sitting. When the schools a child applies to have different test dates, ACER says the child sits a separate sitting at each school, on its own date3ACER HAST parents · 13 October 2026 · Published. IGNITE itself is one school, one sitting1Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published.
Can my child study for the IGNITE test?
Not in the usual way. ACER says short-term training is unlikely to improve performance3ACER HAST parents · 13 October 2026 · Published, and its advice is to read widely and think critically3ACER HAST parents · 13 October 2026 · Published.
What does help is knowing the format, so the day holds no surprises. The official samples are listed in our IGNITE practice guide.
How is the IGNITE test different from the NSW Selective test?
Both are sat in Year 6 and both have four parts. IGNITE is on paper with a picture-pattern paper, while NSW is on computer with Thinking Skills.
| SA IGNITE | NSW Selective | |
|---|---|---|
| Year sat | in Year 6 at the time of the assessment1Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published | in Year 611NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| How it's sat | On paper 5The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published | On computers provided by the Department7NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Reading | 452The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published minutes | 178NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published questions, 458NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published minutes |
| Maths | 402The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published minutes | 358NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published questions, 408NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published minutes |
| Reasoning | Abstract Reasoning, 302The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published minutes | Thinking Skills, 408NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published questions, 408NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published minutes |
| Writing | 252The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published minutes, handwritten | 308NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published minutes, typed 8NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Wrong answers | No marks are deducted for wrong answers4Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published | no marks lost for incorrect answers12NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| Where | one school, one sitting1Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published, at an IGNITE school | Held only in NSW7NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published |
When is the next IGNITE test?
The next IGNITE test is on 20 February 20271Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published, for children in Year 6 who start Year 7 in 2028. Registrations open 2 November 20261Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published, and the closing date is not published1Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Not published.
2 November 20261Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published
Registrations open on ACER's portal
Register at one school, one sitting1Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published.
Not published1Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Not published
Registrations close
No late applications are accepted. 1Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published
20 February 20271Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published
The IGNITE test
Four papers, on paper.
Questions parents ask about the IGNITE test
Does a wrong answer lose marks?
No. No marks are deducted for wrong answers4Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published, so your child should answer every question, even with a guess.
Can my child sit the IGNITE test twice?
No. It is one school, one sitting1Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published, so register at the IGNITE school your child most wants. 1Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published
What if my child doesn't finish a paper?
That's common. ACER tells children not to worry about unfinished questions, because the tests are difficult4Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published. Its tip is don't rush, and don't spend long on one hard question4Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Can a Year 5 child sit it?
At Glenunga, yes, but it uses the child's only sitting. The test is for children in Year 6 at the time of the assessment1Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published, and a Year 5 child at Glenunga needs a signed recommendation letter from their primary school principal, sent before registering1Glenunga · 13 October 2026 · Published.
The Heights says its test is open to children in Year 6 at the time of the assessment5The Heights · 14 October 2026 · Published and describes no Year 5 route. The rule is one school, one sitting1Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published, so a Year 5 sitting rules out sitting again in Year 6. Ask your chosen school before you plan.