AAS vs ACER vs Edutest: Scholarship Tests Compared
ACER, Edutest and Academic Assessment Services (AAS) are the three main scholarship and entrance test providers Australian schools use, and they differ mainly in pace and structure: ACER asks fewer, harder reasoning questions with more time each; Edutest and AAS pack in more questions at a faster pace and include explicit ability/reasoning papers. Which one your child sits depends entirely on the school, so confirm the provider before choosing how to prepare.
Quick comparison
- ACER: Mathematics, Written Expression, Humanities/Reading — higher-order reasoning, more time per question.
- Edutest: ability papers (Verbal & Numerical Reasoning) + achievement papers (Reading, Maths, Written Expression) — faster pace.
- AAS: Reasoning & Problem Solving, Mathematics, Reading Comprehension, Writing — harder questions earn more marks.
- School chooses the provider; check the school’s scholarship page.
Test structures and providers described here last verified June 2026 against official sources. Individual school dates, fees and rules change every year — always confirm with the specific school or official body before you rely on a date.
Side-by-side
| Feature | ACER | Edutest | AAS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core papers | Mathematics; Written Expression; Humanities/Reading | Verbal & Numerical Reasoning; Reading; Mathematics; Written Expression | Reasoning & Problem Solving; Mathematics; Reading Comprehension; Writing |
| Explicit ability paper? | Reasoning embedded in subjects | Yes (Verbal & Numerical Reasoning) | Yes (Reasoning & Problem Solving) |
| Pace | Fewer questions, more time each | Faster, more questions | Faster, more questions |
| Maths detail | ~32–36 multiple-choice; senior levels mix maths and science | Curriculum maths plus reasoning | Curriculum maths plus reasoning tasks |
| Marking note | Reasoning-weighted | No deduction for wrong/blank answers | Harder problem-solving questions earn more |
ACER in more detail
ACER tests favour depth over speed. The mathematics paper has roughly 32–36 multiple-choice questions, and at senior levels (Levels 2 and 3) about half the questions cover science alongside maths. Written Expression asks students to respond to a topic in whatever form fits — story or persuasive. Many schools use ACER’s cooperative program, where one Saturday sitting is shared across multiple schools.
Edutest in more detail
Edutest splits its tests into ability papers (Verbal and Numerical Reasoning), which estimate potential to learn without relying on prior knowledge, and achievement papers (Reading Comprehension, Mathematics, Written Expression), which measure what has been learned. Results are scaled against thousands of students in the same year level, and no marks are deducted for wrong or unanswered questions — so it pays to attempt everything.
AAS in more detail
AAS combines reasoning and problem solving with curriculum-linked mathematics, reading comprehension and a short writing task. A distinctive feature is that harder problem-solving questions carry more marks, rewarding students who can tackle the tough items rather than just complete the easy ones quickly.
How the provider changes your preparation
- ACER: prioritise deep reasoning and a strong written piece; speed matters less than thinking quality.
- Edutest: drill the ability question types and train pace; attempt every question since there is no penalty.
- AAS: build the harder problem-solving skills that earn the most marks, not just accuracy on easy items.
For the underlying reasoning skills all three share, see our general ability practice guide, and for the bigger picture our scholarship preparation guide.
Frequently asked questions
Which scholarship test provider is the hardest?
None is uniformly hardest. ACER asks fewer but harder reasoning questions with more time each, while Edutest and AAS move faster with more questions. Difficulty depends on the student’s strengths and the provider’s style.
How do I find out which provider my school uses?
Check the school’s scholarship or admissions page, or contact the school directly. The provider is set by the school, and it determines how your child should prepare.
Does Edutest deduct marks for wrong answers?
No. Edutest does not deduct points for incorrect or unanswered questions, so students should attempt every question rather than leaving blanks.
What makes AAS marking different?
In AAS tests, harder problem-solving questions earn more marks, so strong candidates are rewarded for tackling the difficult items, not just completing the easy ones.
What is the ACER cooperative scholarship program?
It lets a student sit one ACER scholarship test on a set Saturday and share the results with several participating schools, so one sitting can support multiple applications.