TL;DR
ACER scholarship tests for 2026 are on February 7 (South Australia) and February 28 (most other states). Victorian schools use alternative dates. Registrations open September 2025 and close approximately 2 weeks before each test date.
Key Takeaways
- ✓South Australian ACER tests: Saturday 7 February 2026 (registrations close 23 January)
- ✓NSW/QLD/WA/NT/TAS cooperative tests: Saturday 28 February 2026 (registrations close 8 February)
- ✓Victorian schools use alternative dates, typically January-March 2026
- ✓Registrations open 22 September 2025 for most schools
- ✓Apply to up to 6 schools with one test through the CTSP
- ✓Always verify dates directly with your target school
The ACER Scholarship Tests are administered across Australia throughout 2026, with dates varying by state and individual school. This comprehensive guide provides all confirmed test dates for 2027 school entry, helping families plan their preparation timeline.
Key Dates Overview
The Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) coordinates scholarship testing through the Cooperative Scholarship Testing Program (CTSP). Here are the main testing windows:
- South Australia — Primary Test Date: Saturday, 7 February 2026 — Registration Closes: Friday, 23 January 2026
- NSW, QLD, VIC, WA, NT, TAS — Primary Test Date: Saturday, 28 February 2026 — Registration Closes: Sunday, 8 February 2026
Important: Many schools, particularly in Victoria, use alternative dates outside the cooperative program. Always verify dates directly with your target school.
How the ACER Cooperative Program Works
The Cooperative Scholarship Testing Program (CTSP) allows students to:
- Sit one test and have results sent to multiple schools (up to six)
- Take the test at a convenient location
- Receive standardised, comparable assessments
Schools participating in the CTSP share the same test date within their state. Non-participating schools set their own dates.
South Australia Schools - February 2026
Most South Australian schools testing on Saturday, 7 February 2026 (registrations close 23 January 2026):
- Blackfriars Priory School — Scholarship Page: blackfriars.sa.edu.au/enrolments/scholarships
- Concordia College — Scholarship Page: concordia.sa.edu.au/scholarships
- Emmaus Christian College — Scholarship Page: emmauscc.sa.edu.au/scholarships
- Immanuel College (Year 7) — Scholarship Page: immanuel.sa.edu.au/scholarships
- Kildare College — Scholarship Page: kildare.catholic.edu.au/scholarships
- Loreto College — Scholarship Page: loreto.sa.edu.au/scholarships
- Pedare Christian College — Scholarship Page: pedarecc.sa.edu.au/scholarships
- Prince Alfred College — Scholarship Page: pac.edu.au/scholarships
- St Andrews School — Scholarship Page: standrews.sa.edu.au/scholarships
- St George College — Scholarship Page: stgeorge.sa.edu.au/scholarships
- St Ignatius College — Scholarship Page: ignatius.sa.edu.au/scholarships
- St John's Grammar School — Scholarship Page: stjohns.sa.edu.au/scholarships
- St Peter's College — Scholarship Page: stpeters.sa.edu.au/scholarships
- St Peter's Collegiate Girls School — Scholarship Page: stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au/scholarships
- Temple Christian College — Scholarship Page: temple.sa.edu.au/scholarships
- Walford Anglican School for Girls — Scholarship Page: walford.sa.edu.au/scholarships
- Westminster School — Scholarship Page: westminster.sa.edu.au/scholarships
- Wilderness School — Scholarship Page: wilderness.com.au/scholarships
Alternative SA Dates:
- Endeavour College: 1 May 2026 (closes 17 April)
- University Senior College: 23 May 2026 (closes 8 May)
New South Wales Schools - February 2026
Most NSW schools testing on Saturday, 28 February 2026 (registrations close 8 February 2026):
- All Saints Grammar — Location: Belmore — Scholarship Page: allsaints.nsw.edu.au/scholarships
- Arndell Anglican College — Location: Oakville — Scholarship Page: arndell.nsw.edu.au/scholarships
- Bishop Druitt College — Location: Coffs Harbour — Scholarship Page: bdc.nsw.edu.au/scholarships
- Broughton Anglican College — Location: Menangle Park — Scholarship Page: broughton.nsw.edu.au/scholarships
- Calrossy Anglican School — Location: Tamworth — Scholarship Page: calrossy.nsw.edu.au/scholarships
- Inaburra School — Location: Bangor — Scholarship Page: inaburra.nsw.edu.au/scholarships
- International Grammar School — Location: Ultimo — Scholarship Page: igssyd.nsw.edu.au/scholarships
- Monte Sant' Angelo Mercy College — Location: North Sydney — Scholarship Page: monte.nsw.edu.au/scholarships
- Mount St Benedict College — Location: Pennant Hills — Scholarship Page: msben.nsw.edu.au/scholarships
- NEGS (New England Girls School) — Location: Armidale — Scholarship Page: negs.nsw.edu.au/scholarships
- Northholm Grammar School — Location: Arcadia — Scholarship Page: northholm.nsw.edu.au/scholarships
- Nowra Anglican College — Location: Nowra — Scholarship Page: nac.nsw.edu.au/scholarships
- Oran Park Anglican College — Location: Oran Park — Scholarship Page: opac.nsw.edu.au/scholarships
- Penrith Anglican College — Location: Penrith — Scholarship Page: pac.nsw.edu.au/scholarships
- Pittwater House School — Location: Collaroy — Scholarship Page: pittwaterhouse.com.au/scholarships
- Redlands — Location: Cremorne — Scholarship Page: redlands.nsw.edu.au/scholarships
- Rosebank College — Location: Five Dock — Scholarship Page: rosebank.nsw.edu.au/scholarships
- Rouse Hill Anglican College — Location: Rouse Hill — Scholarship Page: rhac.nsw.edu.au/scholarships
- Santa Sabina College — Location: Strathfield — Scholarship Page: ssc.nsw.edu.au/scholarships
- SCEGGS Darlinghurst — Location: Darlinghurst — Scholarship Page: sceggs.nsw.edu.au/scholarships
- Shellharbour Anglican College — Location: Shellharbour — Scholarship Page: sac.nsw.edu.au/scholarships
- SHORE (Sydney Church of England Grammar) — Location: North Sydney — Scholarship Page: shore.nsw.edu.au/scholarships
- Snowy Mountains Grammar School — Location: Jindabyne — Scholarship Page: smgs.nsw.edu.au/scholarships
- St Joseph's College, Hunters Hill — Location: Hunters Hill — Scholarship Page: joeys.org/scholarships
- St Paul's Grammar School — Location: Cranebrook — Scholarship Page: stpauls.nsw.edu.au/scholarships
- St Vincent's College — Location: Potts Point — Scholarship Page: stvincents.nsw.edu.au/scholarships
- The Scots College — Location: Bellevue Hill — Scholarship Page: tsc.nsw.edu.au/scholarships
- Thomas Hassall Anglican College — Location: Middleton Grange — Scholarship Page: thac.nsw.edu.au/scholarships
- Waverley College — Location: Waverley — Scholarship Page: waverley.nsw.edu.au/scholarships
- Wollondilly Anglican College — Location: Tahmoor — Scholarship Page: wac.nsw.edu.au/scholarships
Alternative NSW Dates:
- Emanuel School: 10 February 2026 (closes 2 February)
- Kinross Wolaroi School: 9 February 2026 (closes 23 January)
- Presbyterian Ladies' College Sydney: 21 February 2026 (closes 11 February)
- The Riverina Anglican College: 14 February 2026 (closes 4 February)
Queensland Schools - February/March 2026
Most Queensland schools testing on Saturday, 28 February 2026:
- Anglican Church Grammar School — Location: Brisbane — Scholarship Page: churchie.com.au/scholarships
- Brigidine College — Location: Indooroopilly — Scholarship Page: brigidine.qld.edu.au/scholarships
- Brisbane Boys' College — Location: Toowong — Scholarship Page: bbc.qld.edu.au/scholarships
- Brisbane Grammar School — Location: Brisbane — Scholarship Page: brisbanegrammar.com/scholarships
- Clayfield College — Location: Clayfield — Scholarship Page: clayfield.qld.edu.au/scholarships
- Fairholme College — Location: Toowoomba — Scholarship Page: fairholme.qld.edu.au/scholarships
- Ipswich Girls' Grammar School — Location: Ipswich — Scholarship Page: iggs.qld.edu.au/scholarships
- Ipswich Grammar School — Location: Ipswich — Scholarship Page: ipswichgrammar.com/scholarships
- John Paul College — Location: Daisy Hill — Scholarship Page: jpc.qld.edu.au/scholarships
- Loreto College Coorparoo — Location: Coorparoo — Scholarship Page: loreto.qld.edu.au/scholarships
- Lourdes Hill College — Location: Hawthorne — Scholarship Page: lhc.qld.edu.au/scholarships
- Marist College Ashgrove — Location: Ashgrove — Scholarship Page: marash.qld.edu.au/scholarships
- Moreton Bay College — Location: Manly West — Scholarship Page: mbc.qld.edu.au/scholarships
- Mount Alvernia College — Location: Kedron — Scholarship Page: mta.qld.edu.au/scholarships
- SCOTS PGC College — Location: Warwick — Scholarship Page: scotspgc.com.au/scholarships
- Sheldon College — Location: Sheldon — Scholarship Page: sheldoncollege.com/scholarships
- Somerville House — Location: South Brisbane — Scholarship Page: somerville.qld.edu.au/scholarships
- St Augustine's College — Location: Springfield — Scholarship Page: staugustines.qld.edu.au/scholarships
- St Joseph's College (Gregory Terrace) — Location: Brisbane — Scholarship Page: terrace.qld.edu.au/scholarships
- St Joseph's Nudgee College — Location: Boondall — Scholarship Page: nudgee.com/scholarships
- St Margaret's Anglican Girls' School — Location: Ascot — Scholarship Page: stmargarets.qld.edu.au/scholarships
- Stuartholme School — Location: Toowong — Scholarship Page: stuartholme.com/scholarships
- Toowoomba Grammar School — Location: Toowoomba — Scholarship Page: twgs.qld.edu.au/scholarships
- Townsville Grammar School — Location: Townsville — Scholarship Page: tgs.qld.edu.au/scholarships
Alternative QLD Dates:
- A B Paterson College: 14 February 2026
- All Saints Anglican School: 14 February 2026
- Calvary Christian College: 7 March 2026
- Coomera Anglican: 7 March 2026
- Ormiston College: 12 February 2026
- Rockhampton Grammar School: 21 March 2026
- Saint Stephen's College: 7 February 2026
- Trinity College Beenleigh: 2 May 2026
Victorian Schools - Various Dates
Victoria uses the Alternative Date Program, so each school sets its own testing date. Key dates include:
- Presbyterian Ladies' College — Test Date: 31 January 2026 — Registrations Close: 21 January 2026
- Bialik College — Test Date: 13 February 2026 — Registrations Close: 30 January 2026
- Xavier College — Test Date: 13 February 2026 — Registrations Close: 30 January 2026
- Huntingtower — Test Date: 14 February 2026 — Registrations Close: 3 February 2026
- Peninsula Grammar — Test Date: 14 February 2026 — Registrations Close: 4 February 2026
- Penleigh and Essendon Grammar (Level 1) — Test Date: 14 February 2026 — Registrations Close: 4 February 2026
- Bayside Christian College — Test Date: 14 February 2026 — Registrations Close: 1 February 2026
- Saint Ignatius College (Geelong) — Test Date: 19 February 2026 — Registrations Close: 9 February 2026
- Cornish College — Test Date: 21 February 2026 — Registrations Close: 11 February 2026
- Good News Lutheran College — Test Date: 28 February 2026 — Registrations Close: 8 February 2026
- Penleigh and Essendon Grammar (Levels 2 & 3) — Test Date: 14 March 2026 — Registrations Close: 4 March 2026
- Overnewton Anglican Community College — Test Date: 21 March 2026 — Registrations Close: 11 March 2026
- Christway College — Test Date: 28 March 2026 — Registrations Close: 16 March 2026
Registration Tips
- Register Early: Applications typically open in September 2025 for 2026 tests
- Multiple Schools: In the CTSP, you can apply to up to six schools with one test
- School Website: Register directly on each school's website
- Documentation: Have student details and current school information ready
- Fees: Check each school for application fees (typically $100-150)
Preparation Timeline
Based on the test dates above, here's a recommended preparation timeline:
- September 2025 — Activity: Registrations open; begin focused preparation
- October-November 2025 — Activity: Intensive practice across all test areas
- December 2025 — Activity: Review weak areas; practice under timed conditions
- January 2026 — Activity: Final revision; rest and mental preparation
- February 2026 — Activity: Test day
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Frequently Asked Questions
When is the main ACER scholarship test date for 2026?
The main ACER test dates for 2026 are Saturday 7 February for South Australia, and Saturday 28 February for NSW, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia, Northern Territory, and Tasmania (cooperative program). Many Victorian schools use alternative dates.
Can I apply to multiple schools with one ACER test?
Yes, through the Cooperative Scholarship Testing Program (CTSP), you can apply to up to six schools and sit one test. Your results will be sent to all schools you have applied to within the cooperative program.
When do ACER scholarship registrations open for 2026 tests?
ACER scholarship registrations for 2026 tests (for 2027 school entry) open on 22 September 2025. Registrations close at midnight AEDT on Sunday 8 February 2026 for most states.
Why do Victorian schools have different ACER test dates?
Most Victorian schools use the Alternative Date Program rather than the Cooperative Scholarship Testing Program. This means each school sets its own test date, typically between late January and March 2026.
How do I register for an ACER scholarship test?
You must register directly on each school's website at least one week before the test date. Visit the school's scholarship page, complete the application form, and pay any required fees. You cannot register through ACER directly.
What if my school's test date hasn't been confirmed for 2026?
Some schools confirm dates later in the year. Check the school's website regularly, contact their enrolments office directly, or visit bettereducation.com.au for updated date listings as they become available.
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