Private School Scholarship Exam Formats in Victoria

Understanding the Victorian Scholarship Landscape

If your child is preparing for a scholarship exam at a Victorian private school, one of the first things you'll need to work out is which test provider your school uses. Unlike a single standardised exam, Victorian private schools choose from several independent testing organisations — and knowing which one your school uses is essential for targeted preparation.

The three major providers are ACER, Edutest, and AAS. Each has its own format, question style, and timing structure. Preparing for the wrong test is a common mistake, and an easily avoidable one.

This guide maps over 50 Victorian private schools to their test providers, so you can plan your child's preparation with confidence.

The Three Main Test Providers

ACER (Australian Council for Educational Research)

ACER is one of Australia's most established educational research organisations. Their scholarship tests typically assess verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, abstract reasoning, and written expression. ACER exams are known for their emphasis on reasoning and problem-solving rather than pure curriculum knowledge.

Edutest

Edutest is a widely used provider across Victorian independent schools. Their assessments cover similar domains — verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, reading comprehension, mathematics, and written expression — but the question formats and timing differ from ACER. Edutest is particularly popular among co-educational and larger independent schools.

AAS (Academic Assessment Services)

AAS provides scholarship testing for a significant number of Victorian schools, with a strong presence among girls' schools and Anglican grammar schools. Their assessments typically include English, mathematics, verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, and written expression, with a format that differs from both ACER and Edutest.

School-to-Provider Mapping

The table below maps Victorian private schools to their scholarship test provider. This is the most comprehensive reference we can offer — but please note that schools can and do change providers between years. Always confirm directly with your school's admissions office before committing to a preparation plan.

Schools Using ACER

Schools Using Edutest

Schools Using AAS

*Multi-provider note: Trinity Grammar School and Luther College use both AAS and Edutest for their scholarship assessments. This may vary by scholarship type or year level — check directly with the school for details on which test applies to your child.

What Each Test Involves

While each provider's exact format can vary from year to year, here's a general overview of what to expect.

ACER Scholarship Tests

• Components: Verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, abstract reasoning, written expression
• Format: Primarily multiple choice (except written expression)
• Duration: Typically 2.5–3 hours total, broken into timed sections
• Style: Strong emphasis on reasoning ability and problem-solving; less focused on curriculum-specific content

Edutest Scholarship Tests

• Components: Verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, reading comprehension, mathematics, written expression
• Format: Multiple choice plus a writing task
• Duration: Approximately 2.5–3 hours total
• Style: Covers both reasoning and curriculum-aligned content; mathematics section tends to be more syllabus-based than ACER

AAS Scholarship Tests

• Components: English (reading and language conventions), mathematics, verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, written expression
• Format: Multiple choice plus a writing task
• Duration: Approximately 2.5–3 hours total
• Style: Balanced mix of curriculum knowledge and reasoning skills; writing prompts may differ in style from ACER and Edutest

Tips for Parents

Finding out which test your child needs to sit is straightforward, but it does require a bit of legwork.

1. Check the school's website first. Most schools publish scholarship information on their admissions page, including which test provider they use and key dates.

2. Call the admissions office. If the website isn't clear, a quick phone call will get you a definitive answer. Ask specifically: "Which test provider do you use for your Year 7 scholarship exam?"

3. Confirm every year. Schools occasionally switch providers. Even if an older sibling sat an Edutest exam at the same school, don't assume it's still the same. Verify for the current year.

4. Check if the school uses multiple providers. Some schools (like Trinity Grammar and Luther College) use different providers for different scholarship types. Make sure you know which test applies to your child's specific application.

5. Note the dates. Each provider runs tests on different dates. If your child is applying to multiple schools, check for date clashes early. Our exam dates page keeps track of upcoming test dates across providers.

6. Start preparation early, but keep it balanced. A few months of consistent, low-pressure practice is far more effective than a last-minute cram. Short daily sessions build familiarity and confidence without causing burnout.

Preparing With PrepHQ

PrepHQ offers targeted practice for both ACER and Edutest scholarship formats, covering verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, reading comprehension, mathematics, and written expression.

Each practice session is just 10 questions — short enough to fit into a busy school week, but focused enough to build genuine understanding. Every question comes with a detailed explanation, so your child learns from every attempt, not just the ones they get right.

Ready to start? Create a free account and your child can begin their first session today.

Information in this article is current as of February 2026. Schools may change test providers at any time. Always confirm directly with your preferred school's admissions office for the most up-to-date information.