The ACT Scaling Test (AST) is a vital part of Year 12 for students seeking an ATAR. It assesses general reasoning and thinking skills across three components: the Short Response Test, the Multiple Choice Test, and the Writing Task.

Arrival and Departure Times

Students sitting the AST must arrive at school no later than 8:40 AM. Breakfast will be available from 8:15 AM in the café.

• You will not be admitted to the test room later than 30 minutes after the start of the test (40 minutes after the start of reading time for the Short Response and Multiple Choice tests).
• Students arriving within this time may commence the test but will not be granted extra time.
• If you have a valid reason for being late, with independent evidence (e.g., a car accident), speak with the AST Coordinator before starting the test. It may be more appropriate to apply for the Second Sitting — permission is not granted automatically and must be applied for with supporting evidence.
• Reasons such as sleeping in or missing a bus are not considered acceptable for being more than 30 minutes late or missing a test.

AST 2025 Schedule

Day 1 – Tuesday, 26 August
• Short Response Test: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
• Multiple Choice Test: 1:00 PM – 3:15 PM

Day 2 – Wednesday, 27 August
• Writing Task: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Students must attend all three sessions and make a serious attempt at each test to be eligible for an ATAR.

What to Bring

Students must bring their own equipment:
• Pens, pencils (2B), erasers, ruler
• ID card
• Dictionary (book form only, no thesaurus)
• Clear, unlabelled water bottle

Prohibited items include:
• Mobile phones, smartwatches, electronic devices
• Bags, food (unless approved), electronic dictionaries
• Dictionaries with diagrams or annotations

All equipment is subject to inspection. Spot checks will occur during the test.

What If You’re Sick?

If a student is sick before or during the AST:
• Do not attempt the test if unwell.
• Notify the school’s AST Coordinator, Miss Martin, immediately. If you become unwell during the AST, notify the supervisor immediately.
• Obtain a medical certificate within 24 hours.

Note: Students who begin a test but do not complete it due to illness may not be eligible to re-sit that component unless specific conditions are met.

Rules and Expectations

To ensure fairness and integrity:
• Follow all supervisor instructions.
• No communication is allowed during the test.
• Leaving the test centre early or temporarily requires supervision.
• Cheating, bringing unauthorised items, or disruptive behaviour may result in penalties, including cancellation of AST results or impact on the ATAR.

Students must bring a serious attitude and respect the conditions of the test to support both their own success and that of their peers.

For more details or questions, students should speak with the AST Coordinator, Miss Martin.

Jenna Martin
Acting Senior Studies Coordinator