Queensland Academies · FAQ
Queensland Academies FAQ: applications, test format and campus choice
Frequently asked questions about the Queensland Academies — how the EduTest-style entrance assessment works, application dates and fees, how results are reported, and how to choose between QASMT, QACI and QAHS.
By Braintree Editorial, Braintree Coaching Australia editorial team
Reviewed by Braintree Academic Panel on
Last updated
Quick Answer
The most common questions are about the test format, application dates and fees, how results are reported, and how to choose between the three campuses. The Queensland Academies (QASMT, QACI and QAHS) use an EduTest-style, computer-based entrance assessment covering Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension and Mathematics, with a Written Expression task added for Year 7 entry at QASMT. There is no published cutoff score; selection is holistic and combines test performance with school reports, NAPLAN results and, for some campuses, an interview or portfolio.
- Test styleEduTest-style, computer-based
- Entry pointsYear 7 (QASMT) and Year 10
- Application feeFrom $250 (domestic)
- ScoringHolistic, no published cutoff
Read the full Queensland Academies Preparation (QASMT, QACI, QAHS) guide.
These are the questions Queensland families most often ask Braintree Coaching Australia about the Queensland Academies — QASMT, QACI and QAHS. For the full picture, start with our Queensland Academies preparation hub, which links to every guide below.
The answers above cover applications, the EduTest-style test format, fees, results and campus choice. To go deeper on any topic, read our Queensland Academies test format guide, the four-phase Queensland Academies preparation strategies, and the Queensland Academies practice resources. For the sitting itself and what follows, see the Queensland Academies test-day guide and the Queensland Academies results guide. The Queensland Government publishes the authoritative entry information at the official Queensland Academies website; confirm dates and fees there each year.
At a glance
Key facts.
- Campuses
- QASMT (Toowong), QACI (Kelvin Grove), QAHS (Gold Coast)
- Core components
- Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, Reading, Mathematics
- Year 7 entry
- QASMT only, adds Written Expression
- Application fee
- From $250 (domestic), non-refundable
- Results
- Late Term 4; no individual scores released
FAQ
Common questions, plainly answered.
30 questions our faculty fields most often about this exam.
About
Queensland Academies is a network of three state selective-entry high schools offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. The three campuses are QASMT (Queensland Academy for Science, Mathematics and Technology) in Toowong, Brisbane; QACI (Queensland Academy for Creative Industries) in Kelvin Grove, Brisbane; and QAHS (Queensland Academy for Health Sciences) on the Gold Coast. Each academy specialises in a different field while all deliver the IB curriculum in the senior years.
QASMT (Toowong) specialises in Science, Mathematics and Technology and offers both Year 7 and Year 10 entry. QACI (Kelvin Grove) focuses on Creative Industries — visual arts, design and media — with Year 10 entry only. QAHS (Gold Coast) specialises in Health Sciences with Year 10 entry only. All three deliver the IB Diploma Programme in Years 11 and 12.
There are three Queensland Academies. QASMT is in Toowong, Brisbane; QACI is in Kelvin Grove, Brisbane; and QAHS is on the Gold Coast. Each academy partners with a host university to extend learning opportunities for its students.
Test format
The entrance assessment is an EduTest-style, computer-based paper with four core components — Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension and Mathematics — each running about 30 minutes. Year 7 entry to QASMT adds a Written Expression task of about 15 minutes. Total testing time, including breaks and check-in, is roughly two to three hours.
Plan for a commitment of roughly two to three hours including check-in and breaks. The four core components run about 30 minutes each, and Year 7 QASMT candidates add a Written Expression task of about 15 minutes. The test is sat on screen at a designated test centre.
No. Calculators are not permitted in the Mathematics component. Multi-step problems must be worked by hand under time pressure, so mental-maths fluency and calculator-free practice are an important part of preparation.
Both entry points use EduTest-style assessments, but the difficulty is pitched to the relevant year level. Year 10 applicants face material calibrated higher than Year 7 applicants. Year 7 entry at QASMT also adds a Written Expression task that Year 10 candidates do not sit.
The EduTest is deliberately challenging. Most students complete only about 50 per cent of questions in each timed section, so speed, accuracy and knowing when to move on all matter. The test measures reasoning and problem-solving beyond curriculum recall — structured preparation over several months is strongly recommended.
Scoring
The Queensland Academies do not publish cutoff scores or percentile requirements for any campus or entry point. Selection is holistic, considering entrance-test performance, school reports, NAPLAN results and, for shortlisted applicants, an interview or portfolio. Focus on a balanced result across every component rather than a single score target.
Competition is strong — places are limited and entry is competitive. Because selection is holistic, a balanced result across every component, supported by strong school reports and NAPLAN results, matters more than excelling in one section alone.
The Queensland Academies do not publish cutoff scores. Selection is holistic, combining entrance-test performance with school reports, NAPLAN results and, for shortlisted applicants, an interview. Successful Year 7 applicants typically perform in the top 10 to 15 per cent of the testing cohort across all components rather than excelling in one section alone.
Applications
Applications are submitted through the Queensland Academies online portal. You will typically need a recent photograph, birth-certificate or citizenship details, the two most recent semester school reports, all available NAPLAN results, and any giftedness or medical documentation. The application fee starts at $250 for domestic students and is non-refundable.
Application timelines vary by entry point and campus. QASMT Year 7 entry usually opens earlier in the year; for 2027 Year 7 entry, applications close Wednesday 20 August 2026 at 4pm. Year 10 entry applications for 2027 typically open in early to mid 2026. Always confirm the exact dates on the official Queensland Academies website for the year your child is applying.
The application fee starts at $250 for domestic students and is higher for international and late applications. It is non-refundable regardless of outcome. Remote testing may incur additional fees. Once enrolled, the Queensland Academies are state schools with no tuition fees for domestic students, though some materials and excursions carry costs.
Apply in Year 5 for QASMT Year 7 entry — about two years before starting. Apply in Year 8 for any campus Year 10 entry — about one year before starting. For example, to start at QASMT in Year 7 in 2027, you apply during Year 5 in 2026.
For Year 10 entry you may submit only one application per year across the three campuses, so you must choose QASMT, QACI or QAHS based on your child's interests and aspirations. QASMT Year 7 entry is a separate application and does not prevent a later Year 10 application to another campus. Campus transfers mid-programme are not permitted.
Preparation
Most families benefit from 12 to 18 months of structured preparation — closer to 18 to 24 months for QASMT Year 7 entry, where preparation begins in Year 5. A workable routine is four to six hours spread across most days, with the largest share of time given to the weakest section. The two areas families most often underestimate are Numerical Reasoning and the calculator-free Mathematics component.
Coaching is not mandatory, but structured preparation helps because the EduTest-style format differs from regular school tests and competition is strong. The most useful preparation is diagnostic — identifying the specific section a child is weakest in — and gives the child regular timed practice with substantive feedback rather than generic worksheets.
Numerical Reasoning rewards pattern recognition rather than taught arithmetic, so practise number sequences, shape and symbol patterns, matrix reasoning and logical deduction regularly. Short, frequent drills work better than occasional long sessions. Pair this with calculator-free Mathematics practice, since both are the components families most often underestimate.
The Queensland Academies do not release past EduTest papers. Official sample questions are available at edutest.com.au, and reputable preparation providers offer practice tests designed to match the real assessment format and difficulty. See our Queensland Academies practice resources spoke for structured options.
Regular timed writing practice is the most effective approach. Practise planning an essay quickly (two to three minutes), writing with clear structure (introduction, body paragraphs, conclusion), and editing for errors. Varied topics build the flexibility needed for an unseen writing prompt at QASMT Year 7 entry.
Results
No. The Queensland Academies do not distribute individual test results or diagnostic reports to families. Results are considered alongside school reports, NAPLAN results and interview or portfolio evidence as part of a holistic assessment, so no per-section breakdown is provided.
Outcomes are typically released in late Term 4. Interview invitations are generally issued earlier in the term, followed by offers. Outcomes are communicated by email to the address provided in the application. Some applicants are held in a merit pool and may receive offers later if places become available.
The merit pool is a waiting list of capable applicants who narrowly missed an initial offer because places were full. Merit-pool applicants remain eligible for an offer if a place becomes available later — for example when another applicant declines. Being placed in the merit pool reflects a strong application.
If your child does not receive an offer, they may apply again in a subsequent year. Use the experience to identify which components need more preparation and confirm whether the chosen campus still matches your child's interests. Merit-pool applicants remain eligible if a place becomes available later in the cycle.
Comparisons
No. The Queensland Academies use an EduTest-style entrance assessment, while Brisbane State High School uses the ACER HAST. Families targeting both must prepare for two different formats with different timings and section structures. Our Brisbane State High School selective entry preparation hub covers the HAST in detail.
The entrance assessment is demanding in a different way to NAPLAN. NAPLAN tests year-level curriculum knowledge, whereas the EduTest-style assessment measures cognitive reasoning and problem-solving beyond the regular curriculum. Students who score in the top NAPLAN bands still benefit from dedicated practice on the reasoning components.
Eligibility
International students can apply for Years 10 to 12 only, not Years 7 to 9. They must first apply through Education Queensland International (EQI) and receive approval before submitting a Queensland Academies application. Different and earlier timelines apply, and international tuition fees are payable.
Yes. Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments (AARA) are available for applicants with verified disabilities, learning differences or medical conditions. Provisions must be requested during the application with supporting documentation and may include extra time, rest breaks, alternative formats or a separate testing room.
The Queensland Academies are Queensland government schools. Check the current eligibility requirements on the official Queensland Academies website each year, as residency and enrolment criteria may apply.
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