ICAS

Overview

ICAS is an academic assessment for school students, offered in Australia, New Zealand, Asia and other regions. The organisers describe it as having more than 40 years of history. Students receive certificates, and top performers receive medals.

Who can apply

Entry is for students in Years 2 to 12, usually through their school. Parents can also look at preparation resources and past papers on the site.

Levels or stages

There are six subjects.

• Mathematics

• English

• Science

• Writing

• Digital Technologies

• Spelling Bee

Each subject has differentiated papers labelled A to H, matched to the student's year level.

Exam pattern

Tests run for 30 to 60 minutes depending on the subject and year level. Schools use a locked-down browser setup for some tests, and the site has support pages for schools and parents.

Important dates

For 2026, the test window was 3 to 28 August.

Fees

For 2026, entry fees started from AUD 21.95 per student.

After the exam

Every participant gets a certificate. Medals are awarded to top performers using nationally standardised criteria. The site also mentions scholarship opportunities.

Preparation tips

• Practise with the past papers published on the site.

• Learn the test format and timing before the window opens.