What is PEAC testing, and what does it mean for your child?

PEAC testing is the test WA public schools use to choose children for the Primary Extension and Challenge program. It is sat by Year 4 students in WA public schools^{1WA Education · 12 October 2026 · Published}, at school, as part of the school year.

PEAC itself is a part-time program for Year 5 and 6 students in public schools^{1WA Education · 12 October 2026 · Published}. The Department says it is for students who like extra challenges at school^{1WA Education · 13 October 2026 · Published}, who work on new ideas, think in different ways and learn with students like them^{1WA Education · 13 October 2026 · Published}.

1. Year 4, the PEAC test

   Sat at school. ^{1WA Education · 12 October 2026 · Published}

2. The school contacts chosen families

   How you hear: the school contacts you if your child is chosen^{1WA Education · 12 October 2026 · Published}.

3. Years 5 and 6, the PEAC program

   Part-time, run in different ways, depending on the region^{1WA Education · 13 October 2026 · Published}.

The test does two jobs: it is used to choose students for PEAC and to help teachers support your child's learning^{1WA Education · 13 October 2026 · Published}. So a child who isn't chosen still gives the teacher useful information.

The PEAC test date is set by your child's school^{1WA Education · 12 October 2026 · Published}. The Department publishes no statewide PEAC date, so the school is the place to ask.

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  Ask your child's teacher which term the PEAC test falls in.

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  Check the school newsletter or app for the day.

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  If you'd rather your child didn't sit it, tell the school. ^{1WA Education · 12 October 2026 · Published}

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  Keep the morning ordinary, with breakfast and a normal bedtime the night before.

The ASET, WA's later test for Year 6, does have published dates. For the 2028 intake, Year 6 children sit it on 6 March 2027^{2WA Education · 12 October 2026 · Published}. See every ASET date.

The Department uses the test to choose students for PEAC and to help teachers support your child's learning^{1WA Education · 13 October 2026 · Published}. After testing, the school contacts you if your child is chosen^{1WA Education · 12 October 2026 · Published}.

Beyond that, the method isn't public: the Department's page names no score, cut-off, number of places or report for families. ^{1WA Education · 13 October 2026 · Not published}

We don't guess at any of these. Ask your school, or the regional office, for what applies where you live.

They are separate. PEAC is a part-time primary program chosen from a Year 4 test. The ASET is the Year 6 test for full-time Gifted and Talented places in high school: in WA, selection starts in Year 5, testing in Year 6, placement from Year 7^{3WA Education · 12 October 2026 · Published}.

The ASET also includes a writing test, while PEAC is multiple choice only. ^{1WA Education · 12 October 2026 · Published}

A PEAC place doesn't carry over to a Gifted and Talented place, and missing PEAC doesn't block one. ^{4WA Education · 12 October 2026 · Published} For Year 7 in 2028, applications close 5 February 2027^{2WA Education · 12 October 2026 · Published}. Read the ASET guide.

Lightly. Official PEAC practice test: Not published^{1WA Education · 12 October 2026 · Not published}. The test sits inside the normal school year.

What helps most is ordinary: reading together, talking through puzzles, and games with numbers. Your child is more than one test, and a calm Year 4 matters more than any score.

Does PEAC testing count towards high school entry?

No. Gifted and Talented places in high school come from a separate online application and the ASET. ^{5WA Education · 12 October 2026 · Published}

Is PEAC full-time?

No. PEAC is a part-time program for Year 5 and 6 students in public schools^{1WA Education · 12 October 2026 · Published}, run in different ways, depending on the region^{1WA Education · 13 October 2026 · Published}.

Who do I ask about PEAC where we live?

Your child's school first. For how the program runs in your region, contact your school's education regional office^{1WA Education · 13 October 2026 · Published}.

Will we see our child's PEAC score?

The Department's page doesn't promise one. Scores and reports for families: Not published^{1WA Education · 13 October 2026 · Not published}. Ask your child's school what it shares after the test.

Do other states have a test like PEAC?

Most states run their own selective entry, at different ages. Compare selective tests in every state.