AEAS

Overview

The AEAS Test (Australian Education Assessment Services) is an English-proficiency and academic-aptitude assessment used by schools in Australia and New Zealand to gauge whether an international student from a non-English-speaking background is ready for study in an English-medium classroom. Around 80 per cent of Australian schools that enrol international students require an AEAS Report as part of the application process, or when the student commences. The test combines English language proficiency with mathematical reasoning and non-verbal general ability, and it has been used for this purpose for more than 30 years.

Who can apply

The AEAS Test is for international students from non-English-speaking backgrounds who are applying to an English-medium school in Australia or New Zealand, or whose current school requires proof of English and academic readiness after enrolment. Test materials are available for three age bands: Years 4-6, Years 7-9, and Years 10-12 (Australian year-level equivalents). A parent or carer registers the student, selecting the student's current year level and the year level they are applying for.

Exam pattern

For 2026, the AEAS Test takes about three hours in total and has three parts: English Language Proficiency, Mathematical Reasoning Ability, and Non-Verbal General Ability. The English section is the largest and is broken into five skills; the exact timing and word counts for Writing vary by age band.

Vocabulary, reading, listening and mathematical reasoning questions are multiple choice, word matching, gap-fill or diagram completion. Writing is a single piece of extended writing on a topic suited to the student's age and background. Speaking is a short face-to-face or online conversational assessment. Non-verbal general ability uses pattern and diagram-based questions rather than language or curriculum content, so it is not tied to any particular school curriculum.

Marking and results

AEAS does not set a pass or fail mark. Each component is reported as a stanine, a normalised score from 1 to 9 with a mean of 5: a stanine of 1-3 is below average, 4-6 is average, and 7-9 is above average compared with the AEAS reference population for that age group. The AEAS Report is issued within about 10 working days of the test date, or of all required supporting documents being received if later. Reports go to the parent and, where relevant, to the education agent; because schools prefer to receive a report directly from AEAS as a security measure, the student or parent can ask AEAS to send the report straight to each nominated school once the school list is confirmed. A single test fee covers sending the report to up to three schools. An AEAS Report is valid for no more than one year from the test date, and AEAS recommends retesting closer to commencement if a significant gap has passed, since English proficiency can decline without practice.

Important dates

AEAS runs tests on a regular, ongoing basis in many countries and cities rather than on a single fixed annual date, so the exact 2026 schedule differs by test centre. Where no test date is listed for a student's city, a test can be requested directly through AEAS, which arranges individual sittings where demand allows. For 2026, test fees must be paid in full at least five business days before the scheduled test date (or by the deadline in the registration confirmation email), otherwise the booking is cancelled.

Fees

For 2026, the standard AEAS Test fee is AUD 585 in most countries, with a separate fee in mainland China (RMB 3,350) reflecting local currency and administration. Sending the AEAS Report to more than three schools costs an extra AUD 15 per additional school, up to a maximum of two extra schools. Fees are paid online by card at the time of registration.

How to apply

Registration is online at the AEAS website. A parent or carer selects the student's country and city, chooses an available test date, and completes the registration form with the student's and parent's details, current year level, and the year level being applied for. Payment is made by card during registration, and a confirmation email is sent once payment clears. If no test date is available in the student's city, a test can be requested directly from AEAS rather than through the standard booking calendar.

After the exam

Schools use the AEAS Report as one input alongside the student's school records, references and any school-specific interview or entry requirements; AEAS itself does not decide admission. Some schools require an AEAS Test again after enrolment, to confirm the student's readiness for the year level or to plan English-language support. Because the report expires after a year, a student reapplying to a different school some time later, or confirming readiness closer to a later start date, may need to sit the test again.

Preparation tips

• Practise each English skill (vocabulary, reading, writing, listening, speaking) separately, since each is timed and marked on its own within the report.

• For writing, practise producing a complete piece within the time and word-count expected for the relevant year band (about 150 words for Years 4-9, about 200 words for Years 10-12).

• For non-verbal general ability, practise pattern, sequence and diagram-based reasoning rather than curriculum content, since this section does not depend on prior schooling in any one country.

• For mathematical reasoning, revise core number, measurement and problem-solving skills appropriate to the student's current year level, since questions are presented in English.

• Treat the AEAS Report as time-limited: if there will be a long gap between testing and actually starting school, plan for the possibility of retesting closer to commencement.

FAQs