ACER Scholarship practice resources 2027: samples, mocks and writing drills

Use three sources together: official information and Parent-account familiarisation materials from the Australian Council for Educational Research, the school pack that names the registered level and sitting date, and the visible Braintree Coaching Australia sample kits on this page (level selection, original sample sets, worked explanations, writing guidance and example review). Lock provider and level on ACER Scholarship Test preparation first. This page is where you try level-matched material for 2027–28 entry.

Who is this page for?

This page is for families who already know the school wants an ACER Scholarship sitting (not EduTest or HAST) and need level-matched samples they can open in one sitting. Typical path: Year 5/6 child aiming at Year 7 or 8 entry on Secondary Level 1, or primary entry on Level P. If the pack still leaves the level open, finish selection on the programme hub before drilling. If you are unsure whether coaching or more papers will help confidence, book a 15-minute call with the head tutor against your school pack.

What practice sources should parents open first?

The linked sources below are the same four entries in this page’s resources list. Start with ACER and the school pack; use Braintree Coaching Australia free mocks only after the level is locked.

• ACER Scholarship Tests: parent information (Australian Council for Educational Research): Official overview of Primary Level P and Secondary Levels 1–3, the registration cycle, and contact details for the ACER Scholarships team.
• ACER practice materials (Parent account) (Australian Council for Educational Research): Purchasable familiarisation materials (Primary online or PDF; Secondary by level). ACER does not sell past papers. Materials are to familiarise students with question kinds, not as intensive drill immediately before the test.
• School scholarship information pack (Participating independent school): Each school publishes its sitting date, registered level and any sample guidance. Use the school pack as the timing source of truth for that application.
• Braintree Coaching Australia free mock tests (format familiarisation) (Braintree Coaching Australia): Timed on-screen practice for scholarship-style reasoning and writing warm-ups. Use for stamina and pacing once you know which ACER level the school requires. These are not official Level P or Levels 1–3 papers.

What is the 2027–28 ACER Scholarship practice checklist?

The 2027–28 ACER Scholarship practice checklist is a seven-step sequence that locks level, opens a matching sample, then builds weekly drills and final mocks against the school pack (not a national ACER timetable).

Step	Action	Primary source
1	Confirm Level P or Secondary 1–3 on the school scholarship page	Participating school
2	Lock provider and level on the programme hub if still open	ACER Scholarship preparation
3	Open the matching sample set below and review one worked explanation	This page
4	Read ACER’s level structure; buy Parent-account materials only for familiarisation	ACER Scholarships · Parents guide
5	Sit one timed diagnostic under school-published timing	School information pack
6	Build weekly section drills + one marked writing task	This page + free mock tests
7	Full mocks in final eight weeks	School timing as source of truth

School sitting months for 2027–28 entry stay unconfirmed until each school publishes its window. Do not copy dates from a different provider or ACER product (HAST, ASET). ACER’s public overview does not list section minute or question counts; use the school pack for timed diagnostics.

Which ACER Scholarship level should we practise?

Choose the sample set that matches the level named on the school pack and in the ACER Scholarship application portal. Year bands below follow ACER’s practice-material bands (parents guide, checked 9 September 2026).

Level	Entry years (ACER practice bands)	Sections to practise	Open the kit
Primary Level P	Years 4, 5 or 6	Reading and Viewing, Mathematics, Writing	Level P sample set
Secondary Level 1	Years 7 or 8	Written Expression, Humanities, Mathematics	Level 1 sample set
Secondary Level 2	Years 9 or 10	Written Expression, Humanities, Mathematics	Level 2 sample set
Secondary Level 3	Years 11 or 12	Written Expression, Humanities, Mathematics	Level 3 sample set

If the pack is still open, finish programme selection on the preparation hub first. Keep Level P stems out of a Secondary sitting. Abstract and non-verbal banks belong to other exams; ACER Scholarship papers name no abstract-reasoning component.

What does the Level P sample set look like?

The Level P sample set is a Braintree Coaching Australia constructed kit for entry Years 4–6 (Reading and Viewing, Mathematics, Writing; paper-based). Items below are teaching examples (not official ACER papers or past papers).

Reading and Viewing (Level P): sample

Passage: Jordan taped a cardboard sign to the lemonade stand, poured the first jug, and counted the spare cups twice. When the first customer arrived, Jordan stepped behind the table before saying hello.

Question: Which statement is most strongly supported by the passage?

1. Jordan preferred selling juice to lemonade.
2. Jordan wanted the stand ready before serving anyone.
3. Jordan had already sold many cups that morning.
4. Jordan forgot to bring cups to the stand.

Answer: 2.
Worked explanation: The sign, poured jug, and double cup-count happen before the first customer. Stepping behind the table before greeting also supports readiness. Option 1 invents a drink preference; option 3 invents prior sales; option 4 contradicts the cup-count. The skill is evidence from the passage, not a preferred story about Jordan.

Mathematics (Level P): sample

A number pattern runs 2, 6, 18, 54. Each term follows the same one-step rule. What is the next term?

1. 108
2. 150
3. 162
4. 216

Answer: 3 (162).
Worked explanation: Each term is multiplied by 3: (2 \times 3 = 6), (6 \times 3 = 18), (18 \times 3 = 54), (54 \times 3 = 162). Option 1 doubles instead of tripling; option 4 multiplies by 4. If the rule is unclear, check the ratios (×3 each time) rather than the gaps.

Writing (Level P): next step

Use the writing guidance and example review for a Level P timed write. Keep writing in the weekly kit; do not leave it to the final fortnight.

What does the Level 1 sample set look like?

The Level 1 sample set is a Braintree Coaching Australia constructed kit for entry Years 7 or 8 (Written Expression, Humanities, Mathematics; online or paper). Items below are teaching examples (not official ACER papers or past papers). Writing for this level: use the writing guidance and example review for one timed Written Expression response.

Humanities (Level 1): sample

Extract: A coastal town voted to extend weekend ferry hours. Supporters argued that later boats would cut road traffic on Friday evenings. Opponents argued that late ferries would raise staffing costs without reducing car use, because most visitors already arrive by car on Saturdays.

Question: Which claim is an assumption made by the supporters but not proven in the extract?

1. Ferry staff already work on Saturday mornings.
2. Extending Friday ferry hours would reduce Friday-evening road traffic.
3. Most visitors arrive by car on Saturdays.
4. The town has only one ferry route.

Answer: 2.
Worked explanation: Supporters argue that later boats would cut Friday-evening traffic. That causal link is their assumption, not a measured result in the extract. Option 3 is stated by opponents, not assumed by supporters. Options 1 and 4 are not in the text. Humanities items often separate stated evidence from unproven claims.

Mathematics (Level 1): sample

A sequence begins 2, 5, 11, 23. Each term follows the same two-step rule. What is the next term?

1. 46
2. 47
3. 48
4. 49

Answer: 2 (47).
Worked explanation: Each term doubles the previous and adds 1: (23 \times 2 + 1 = 47). This Secondary-format warm-up matches the teaching item on the programme hub; use it here as the Level 1 maths starter once the level is locked.

What does the Level 2 sample set look like?

The Level 2 sample set is a Braintree Coaching Australia constructed kit for entry Years 9 or 10 (Written Expression, Humanities, Mathematics). Items below are teaching examples (not official ACER papers or past papers). Writing for this level: jump to the writing guidance and example review.

Humanities (Level 2): sample

Extract: A council trialled free Saturday parking for three months. Shop owners reported higher lunchtime foot traffic on those Saturdays. A transport group noted that weekday congestion was unchanged and argued the trial had not reduced overall car trips into the centre.

Question: Which conclusion is best supported by both reports together?

1. Free Saturday parking eliminated weekday congestion.
2. Saturday lunchtime foot traffic rose during the trial, while weekday congestion did not improve.
3. Shop owners opposed free parking.
4. The transport group measured Saturday foot traffic.

Answer: 2.
Worked explanation: Shop owners report higher Saturday lunchtime foot traffic; the transport group reports unchanged weekday congestion and disputes a reduction in overall car trips. Option 2 restates both without over-claiming. Option 1 contradicts the transport note. Options 3 and 4 invent attitudes or measurements not given.

Mathematics (Level 2): sample

A rectangular garden is 12 m long and 5 m wide. A path of uniform width 1 m runs around the outside of the garden. What is the area of the path alone?

1. 34 m²
2. 36 m²
3. 38 m²
4. 40 m²

Answer: 3 (38 m²).
Worked explanation: Outer rectangle is ((12 + 2) \times (5 + 2) = 14 \times 7 = 98). Inner garden is (12 \times 5 = 60). Path area = (98 - 60 = 38). A common error is adding the path only once per side ((13 \times 6 - 60 = 18)) or forgetting both dimensions grow by 2 m.

What does the Level 3 sample set look like?

The Level 3 sample set is a Braintree Coaching Australia constructed kit for entry Years 11 or 12 (Written Expression, Humanities, Mathematics). Items below are teaching examples (not official ACER papers or past papers). Writing for this level: jump to the writing guidance and example review.

Humanities (Level 3): sample

Extract: A university study found that students who slept under seven hours on weeknights scored lower, on average, on a timed reasoning task than students who slept eight hours or more. The authors cautioned that the study was observational: sleep length was self-reported, and students who slept less also reported more paid work hours.

Question: Which statement best describes a limitation the authors themselves flag?

1. The reasoning task was too easy for older students.
2. Lower scores prove that short sleep causes weaker reasoning.
3. Self-reported sleep and extra work hours mean the link may not be purely causal.
4. Students who slept more never had paid jobs.

Answer: 3.
Worked explanation: The caution names observational design, self-report, and a confound (paid work hours). That is a limitation on causal claims (option 3). Option 2 is the over-claim the caution warns against. Options 1 and 4 are not in the extract.

Mathematics (Level 3): sample

A sequence of partial sums is built from the pattern (1 + 2 + 4 + 8 + \ldots). After n terms of that pattern, the sum equals (2^n - 1). What is the sum of the first 6 terms?

1. 31
2. 32
3. 63
4. 64

Answer: 3 (63).
Worked explanation: For (n = 6), (2^6 - 1 = 64 - 1 = 63). Direct add: (1+2+4+8+16+32 = 63). Option 1 is (2^5 - 1) (five terms). Option 4 is (2^6) without subtracting 1.

How should we practise ACER Scholarship writing?

ACER Scholarship writing practice is one timed response per week, marked for structure, clarity and control. For Secondary Written Expression, ACER’s parents guide states that students may respond with a story or persuasive piece as appropriate; the amount written matters less than the quality of thought. Confirm any school-pack prompt forms before you drill only one genre. Cadence below is Braintree Coaching Australia coaching guidance, not an ACER rule.

Level band	Weekly write (our plan)	Mark against
Level P Writing	One timed response	Structure, clarity, control
Secondary Written Expression (Levels 1–3)	One timed response; alternate story / persuasive weeks if the pack allows both	Organisation, clarity, succinct expression

Example review (Secondary Written Expression: persuasive opener)

Prompt (Braintree Coaching Australia teaching prompt, not an ACER past paper): Should secondary schools start one hour later on weekdays? Write to persuade a school board.

First-draft opener (typical first attempt): I think school should start later because teenagers are tired and it is better for everyone and science says so.

Review notes (what to fix before the next timed write):

1. Stance is present but vague. Name the claim in one precise sentence (e.g. “Year 10–12 classes should begin at 9:30 a.m. on weekdays”).
2. “Science says so” is unsupported. Drop it, or replace it with a reasoned point your child can explain (concentration in period one; travel safety; extracurricular finish times).
3. Audience. A school board needs trade-offs (bus timetables, staff hours), not only “everyone would like it”.
4. Length vs thought. A shorter opener with one clear claim and one concrete reason scores cleaner than a long string of soft intensifiers.

Stronger revised opener (teaching model): Year 10–12 classes should begin at 9:30 a.m. on weekdays. A later start would reduce the number of students sitting first period still half-asleep after early bus journeys, which is a safer and clearer aim than promising that “everyone” benefits.

Ask the child to mark their own piece against structure, clarity and control before you review it together. Keep one writing task in every weekly kit.

What does a weekly ACER Scholarship practice kit include?

A weekly ACER Scholarship practice kit is a four-part routine: level-matched section drills, one marked writing task, full mocks only in the final eight weeks, and a short mistake log. Frequencies are Braintree Coaching Australia teaching-plan defaults. ACER’s Parent-account materials are for familiarisation, not a prescribed weekly drill volume.

1. Section drills. Humanities/reading sets and mathematics papers matched to Level P or Secondary 1–3.
2. Weekly writing. One timed response marked against structure, clarity and control (see example review above).
3. Full mocks. Complete sittings under the school’s published timing in the final eight weeks.
4. Mistake log. A short record of misreads, method slips and pacing failures.

In 2024, 4,214 students enrolled across Braintree Coaching Australia programmes. That figure is whole-business volume for the year, not a scholarship-placement count and not a guarantee of any outcome. Keep a written mistake log between mocks as a coaching habit so the same error type is not re-drilled blindly.

How many ACER Scholarship mocks, and when?

Full ACER Scholarship mocks in the Braintree Coaching Australia plan are two or three early diagnostics, then weekly or fortnightly complete sittings in the final eight weeks (coaching cadence, not an ACER rule).

Phase	Focus	Typical volume (Braintree Coaching Australia plan)
Weeks 1–4	Diagnostic + level confirmation + sample-set review	1–2 full papers
Middle months	Section drills + weekly writing	1 timed section set most weeks
Final 8 weeks	Full timed mocks	Weekly or fortnightly

Taper in the last 48 hours: light review only, sleep, and logistics for the school venue. Do not introduce a new question bank the week of the sitting.

How does the sample path connect back to the programme hub?

Step	Parent action	Where
1	Confirm provider = ACER Scholarship (not EduTest / HAST / AAS)	Programme hub
2	Lock Level P or Secondary 1 / 2 / 3 from school pack + portal	Programme hub
3	Open the matching sample set and one worked explanation	This page (level kits above)
4	Add weekly writing + mistake log; optional ACER Parent-account familiarisation	This page · Parents guide
5	On-screen stamina only after the level is known	Free mock tests

Commercial “ACER scholarship pack” inclusions for Braintree Coaching Australia courses are not listed here until the service owner confirms each promise for the current cycle. Ask the centre for the current outline, or book a 15-minute call with the head tutor to check the level against your school pack.

How does this differ from EduTest or HAST practice?

EduTest uses five sections including verbal and numerical reasoning. HAST adds abstract reasoning for selective-entry pathways. The ACER Scholarship Tests use Level P (Reading and Viewing, Mathematics, Writing) or Secondary Levels 1–3 (Written Expression, Humanities, Mathematics). Reusing the wrong paper wastes the final term. If your family is also preparing for NSW OC or Selective, keep those tracks separate. See OC practice resources and NSW Selective practice resources.

What is the next step for ACER Scholarship practice?

1. Monday: Open the matching level kit above and complete one item with its worked explanation.
2. Same week: Sit one timed write from the writing guidance.
3. Only then: Buy ACER Parent-account familiarisation materials if needed, and use free mock tests for stamina after the level is locked.
4. If the school pack still leaves the level open, finish selection on the programme hub, or book a 15-minute call with the head tutor.

Which ACER Scholarship links should parents open next?

• ACER Scholarship Test preparation hub
• EduTest practice resources
• ACER vs EduTest: choosing your prep track
• Australian scholarship exams compared: ACER vs EduTest vs HAST
• Australian exam calendar

Last updated: 2026-09-09. Reviewed by the Braintree Coaching Australia Academic Team. Official structure and practice-material guidance cited from acer.org/au/scholarships and acer.org/au/scholarships/parents (checked 9 September 2026).