IGNITE test writing: what the Written Expression paper asks
Independent. Not affiliated with the SA Department for Education, ACER or the IGNITE schools.
Where does writing sit in the IGNITE test?
Writing comes last. Last round the order was Reading Comprehension, Mathematical Reasoning, a break, Abstract Reasoning, then Written Expression1The Heights · 13 October 2026 · Published, so your child writes after three other papers and a break.
That makes stamina part of the task. A child who writes well when fresh may tire by the final paper, so practise writing late in a session sometimes.
What does the IGNITE writing task look like?
The task is a stimulus to write from. ACER's bulletin says the stimulus may be a picture, a statement, or both3Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published. In general, it lets students tell a real or imagined story, describe a situation or scene, explain something, give a point of view or make an argument3Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published.
The bulletin's sample task says children may write in any style3Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published. ACER adds that the topics may ask your child to think about the topic, organise ideas, and express them clearly and succinctly4ACER HAST parents · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Last round, Written Expression was one 251The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published-minute paper. The bulletin's sample gives a single stimulus as the basis for a piece of writing. 3Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published Practice pages that set more than one prompt for it are not ACER's.
A picture
Look closely first. Ask what is happening, what came before and how someone in it feels. 3Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published
A statement
Decide whether you agree, then show why with an example or a story. 3Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published
Both together
Let the picture and the words point to one idea, not two. 3Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published
Should my child write a story or an argument?
Either can work, because the form isn't published. ACER's four-test package lists the writing as discursive or creative5ACER · 13 October 2026 · Published, but which one IGNITE uses is not published2Glenunga · 13 October 2026 · Not published.
So prepare for both. A child who can tell a short story and also argue a point of view is ready for any prompt the paper gives.
How do ACER markers judge IGNITE writing?
Trained people read every piece: ACER uses machine scoring for multiple choice, and qualified human markers for the writing6ACER HAST · 13 October 2026 · Published. Its bulletin says a piece is judged on what your child has to say, how well it is organised, and how clearly and effectively it is expressed3Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published.
| What markers consider | What the bulletin lists under it |
|---|---|
| Thought and content 3Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published | what is made of the task, and the thoughts and feelings offered in response3Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| Structure and organisation 3Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published | the shape and form of the piece3Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published; the sequence and cohesion of the piece3Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| Expression, style and mechanics 3Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published | the effectiveness and appropriateness of the language3Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published; the expressiveness and fluency of the language3Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published; the control of the mechanics of English3Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published |
A self-check after each practice piece
Read the piece back against these points. They follow ACER's three areas, in plain words.
It grows out of the prompt, not from a piece learned beforehand. 3Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published
It says something worth reading: a clear idea, feeling or point of view. 3Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published
It has a shape, and each part follows from the one before. 3Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published
Words are chosen with care, and the sentences flow when read aloud. 3Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published
Spelling, punctuation and grammar are under control. 3Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published
The handwriting is easy to read, in pen. 3Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published
Can my child learn a piece off by heart?
No. ACER's bulletin says the stimulus must be the basis of the writing, and a rehearsed piece is penalised if it isn't developed from the stimulus3Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Practising skills is different. Strong openings, varied sentences and quick planning carry over to any prompt, while a memorised story does not.
How long should an IGNITE writing piece be?
No length is set: a word count for IGNITE writing is not published3Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Not published. Aim for a complete piece rather than a long one.
Plan briefly
Read the prompt twice and jot three or four words for your idea and your ending.
Write steadily
Keep going in pen. Cross out neatly and move on rather than starting again.
Read it back
Leave a few minutes to fix a missing word, a muddled sentence or a spelling slip.
The whole paper took 251The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published minutes last round, so the plan and the check both need to be short.
How is IGNITE writing different from NSW Selective writing?
Both are one piece of writing judged by people. IGNITE is shorter and handwritten, while NSW is typed on computer.
| IGNITE Written Expression | NSW Selective Writing | |
|---|---|---|
| Time | 251The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published minutes | 307NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published minutes |
| How it's written | By hand, in pen 3Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published | Typed: plan on paper or on screen, then type7NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Who marks it | Qualified human markers at ACER 6ACER HAST · 13 October 2026 · Published | 28NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published markers for each response |
| What counts | what your child has to say, how well it is organised, and how clearly and effectively it is expressed3Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published | Ideas, purpose and audience, language for effect7NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Text types | Not published2Glenunga · 13 October 2026 · Not published | Not published7NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Not published |
| Off-prompt writing | penalised if it isn't developed from the stimulus3Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published | Off-topic writing is marked lower7NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published |
Families in NSW can read the NSW Selective writing guide.
How can my child practise IGNITE writing at home?
Write by hand, to fresh prompts, against the clock, and talk about each piece afterwards. ACER's wider advice is to read widely and think critically4ACER HAST parents · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Collect prompts
Use pictures from books and single statements to agree or disagree with. Never reuse one you've written to.
Write by hand, timed
Set a timer for 251The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published minutes and use pen on lined paper, as on the day.
Check against the three areas
Use the self-check above, then pick one thing to do better next time.
Read widely between sessions
Stories, news and explanations all give your child ideas and words to draw on. 4ACER HAST parents · 13 October 2026 · Published
Keep sessions short and kind. One honest piece a week, talked through together, does more than a pile of rushed ones.
Where are the official IGNITE writing samples?
ACER's free bulletin has a small number of sample questions, free4ACER HAST parents · 13 October 2026 · Published, including a sample writing task. 3Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published After you register, your testing school also sends some sample questions. 1The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published
When is the next IGNITE test?
The next IGNITE test is on 20 February 20272Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published, for children who start Year 7 in 2028. Registrations open 2 November 20262Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published.
2 November 20262Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published
Registrations open on ACER's portal
Not published2Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Not published
Registrations close
No late applications are accepted. 2Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published
20 February 20272Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published
The IGNITE test, writing last
Questions parents ask about IGNITE writing
Can my child write a poem?
The sample task says children may write in any style3Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published. Whatever the form, markers still look for thought, structure and expression. 3Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published
Does spelling count?
Yes. Markers consider the control of the mechanics of English3Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published, so careful spelling and punctuation matter.
Pen or pencil?
Pen for writing: ACER asks for two blue or black pens3Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published. Pencils are for the multiple-choice answer sheet. 3Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published
What if my child doesn't finish?
A finished short piece reads better than a long one that stops mid-sentence. ACER also tells children not to worry about unfinished questions, because the tests are difficult3Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Is IGNITE writing marked by a computer?
No. ACER uses machine scoring for multiple choice, and qualified human markers for the writing6ACER HAST · 13 October 2026 · Published.