Scholarship Test Information

Robert Allwell and Associates conduct scholarship examinations for many schools across Australia.

Our staff are very experienced and skilled in ensuring the testing day is a positive experience for your child.

What are Scholarship Tests?

Scholarship tests are designed to identify and distinguish between students of high academic ability. They are more difficult than the normal achievement tests students often take in schools.

They are timed tests assessing how clearly a student shows higher-order critical thinking skills.

Students are assessed in:

	Abstract Reasoning and Problem Solving – this test assesses the ability to reason with and analyse information using verbal, mathematical, figural and spatial concepts.
	Mathematics Achievement and Reasoning – for primary and junior secondary students these tests assess curriculum-related mathematics tasks as well as mathematical reasoning tasks. Middle and senior secondary students are assessed on mathematics reasoning tasks. These are different to curriculum-based mathematics and focus more on problem-solving skills.
	Reading Comprehension – this test assesses the ability to remember, locate, analyse, evaluate, derive and combine text propositions with non-fiction texts of increasing complexity.
	Written Expression – this test assesses students’ facility with written language. A stimulus is provided for students to produce a piece of writing in a particular genre (e.g. narrative, exposition or argument) depending on their Year level.

Each task is around 45 minutes in length, except for Written Expression, which is 25 minutes.

These tasks measure how a child compares to others in the same school year across the State.

Students and parents need to be aware that these tests are demanding and that most students will not complete each test within the time allowed. Nor should they expect to answer every question. It is important students do not spend too much time on questions they find too difficult.

Will we receive a performance report on our child’s results?

This decision is made by each school. Some schools elect to report results. Others do not. The details in the School information pack or on the School’s website should answer this question for you.

Robert Allwell and Associates may not communicate any information other than what is authorised by the School. We can help in interpreting reports sent by a school to parents.

Who decides the awarding of scholarships?

The School is the sole decision maker. Your child’s academic ability is one of many factors taken into account. Usually a variety of factors, including an interview, will be considered by the School. The School will advise you of its own criteria.

After the scholarship testing day, Robert Allwell and Associates are unable to supply additional information to parents other than interpretation of results. Enquiries regarding scholarship performance must be directed to the School.