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How do I register to sit the PSP test?
Where do I get a Candidate Information Bulletin and Registration Form?
What if my chosen school is testing on a different date to the main date?
What if two schools have tests on different dates? Can I sit for one test only?
How much does it cost to register?
When is the deadline for registering with a school?
Can I take the test at the nearest school in my neighbourhood?
What do I do if I will be overseas on the day of the test?
Can I purchase past papers or sample questions?
How do I find out about the results?
How do I register to sit the PSP test?
To register online - visit the schools' own websites. (Scholarship information and registration is usually accessible from the school's home page or the enrolments/admissions section of a school's web site.)
Check an individual school's website or contact the scholarship administrator for further information about scholarships schools may offer. Some schools may require additional information or have extra registration forms to fill out. It is your responsibility to check whether you have met a school's requirements before making an application.
Where do I get a Candidate Information Bulletin and Registration Form?
The Candidate Information Bulletin will be available via a link on this page closer to the test date.
Online registration facilities are available via many participating schools' websites. Visit a school's website to find out more information about scholarships they may offer and to register.
What if my chosen school is testing on a different date to the main date?
This indicates that the school is using an alternate test date to the main date PSP. Scores will not be shared amongst schools when they use different test dates so you must sit the PSP on the other date as well as on the main date.
When the PSP is conducted on the main date, candidates may register at other schools testing on the same date, sit the test once, and have their results passed onto each main date school they've registered with. If the test is conducted on another date, the candidate must sit the test on that date. The results will NOT be passed onto other schools testing on other alternate dates or on the main date.
What if two schools have tests on different dates? Can I sit for one test only?
You must sit two separate tests for PSP schools testing on different dates. The tests may be similar in format but will be completely different in content.
How much does it cost to register?
Each school sets their own registration fee. You must pay a separate fee for each school with which you register. Check with the school(s).
When is the deadline for registering with a school?
Schools determine their deadline for registrations. You need to go to the school web site and find out that closing date. You must abide by the school's deadline.
The main date deadline for online registrations is 5.00 pm AET on the relevant closing day. At this date and time ACER will close the online registration facility. If you wish to register after this date, you must contact the school and request a pen and paper registration form. Schools are NOT bound to accept registrations after this date.
Schools testing on an alternate date will have different deadlines. Please contact the school concerned.
Can I take the test at the nearest school in my neighbourhood, for the Main Date test?
You MUST take the test at the school you have chosen as your first preference. If you live in a remote area then you can choose to take the test at an ACER centre, or, you can sit the PSP test at the nearest participating PSP school to you.
See the list of registered ACER centres and participating schools under Participating Schools and Test Centres.
What do I do if I live too far away from the nearest test centre?
If a candidate lives over 200 kilometres from his/her nearest school or ACER centre (see Test Centres list), he/she may request a Special Test Centre. The candidate's parents or guardian should find an appropriate supervisor and test site for the candidate to take the test on the same day as candidates elsewhere in Australia. The supervisor should be a teacher or person who has experience in exam supervision. The person should not be the candidate's current teacher, related to the candidate, or coaching the candidate for the CSTP. The supervisor's contact details should be recorded on the registration form.
The registration form must be processed by the school and reach ACER at least two weeks before the late fee registration date applies. Special Test Centre requests are not automatically granted. Please contact the school you intend to register with in the first instance.
If this arrangement is suitable to the school, supervisor and ACER, the test papers will be sent to the nominated Special Test Centre. Any costs involved in setting up the centre are to be covered by the candidate's parents or guardian.
What do I do if I will be overseas on the day of the test?
Candidates living overseas are expected to attend an ACER overseas centre (see Test Centres list). Under particular circumstances a special examination centre may be approved. These requests are not automatically granted.
Requests in the first instance should be made to the school. The name, address, phone and fax number of a supervisor with suitable teaching qualifications must be provided on the registration form to the school and sent on to ACER at least two weeks before the registration closing date. The person should not be the candidate's current teacher, related to the candidate, or coaching the candidate for the CSTP.
If the arrangement is satisfactory to the school, supervisor and ACER, the test papers will be sent to the nominated Special Overseas Centre. An Overseas registration surcharge of $200* will be payable in addition to the normal registration fee. Any supervision costs will be the responsibility of the candidate.
*Individual schools may request a higher surcharge be imposed. Check with the school concerned before applying.
Can I purchase past papers or sample questions?
There are NO past papers or Sample Collections of Questions available for purchase. However, there is a free booklet you can download, 'Get Ready Go'. This booklet contains information for parents/guardians, some sample questions, tips and advice.
How can I prepare for the test?
'Get Ready Go' will give you a very clear idea about the kinds of questions that will be asked. You should feel more confident about facing multiple-choice questions in particular once you have worked through the booklet.
The booklet is not designed to be part of an intensive drill before the test though. The tests you will take are designed to reveal your overall skills and abilities not your detailed knowledge of subjects. PSP questions might ask you to analyse, interpret, comprehend, or draw conclusions. They won't require you to memorise such things as the states of America, all the names of the characters in a book, or how a caterpillar becomes a butterfly. You may be asked to look at a diagram or read a passage referring to these things but you won't have to learn them especially beforehand.
In responding to the Writing topics you might be asked to think about the topic, organise your ideas, and express yourself clearly and succinctly.
These skills are learned over your lifetime both in and out of school so short term training for the tests is unlikely to improve performance. Your best preparation is to read widely and think critically.
How do I find out about the results?
ACER will provide your results to the school(s) you've registered with. Schools have the option of choosing to receive Candidate Participation Certificates, which they may then pass onto you. In all instances, contact should be between candidates and participating schools - not ACER.
