The STAT Test (Special Tertiary Admissions Test) is a widely recognized aptitude assessment developed by ACER to help universities evaluate applicants who may not meet standard entry requirements. Whether you are a mature-age student, an international applicant, or someone looking to switch career paths, passing the STAT Exam can open doors to hundreds of degree programs across Australia, the UK, and Ireland.
Our comprehensive guide covers everything from the STAT multiple choice test to the STAT written English test. With our free STAT Test practice resources, you can familiarize yourself with the question styles, timing, and critical thinking skills required to succeed. Start your preparation today with our realistic STAT Exam questions and secure your place in your dream university course.
Important Note: The ACER STAT test assesses your ability to think critically and analyze information rather than specific subject knowledge. Success depends on understanding the unique logic of the STAT multiple choice test and structuring clear arguments for the STAT written English test. Practice with the free STAT - Special Tertiary Admissions practice test on PracticeTestGeeks (11 questions with answer explanations).
English language learners and international test-takers can assess their proficiency level and practice all test sections with our OET listening practice 2026.
Numbers in brackets link to the official sources listed under Sources & last verified. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
| Item | Detail | Source · Verified |
|---|---|---|
| Number of questions (STAT Multiple Choice) | Multiple-choice: half critical reasoning, half quantitative reasoning[1] | Australian Council for Educational Research · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Number of questions (STAT Written English) | Two essays[1] | Australian Council for Educational Research · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Time limit (STAT Multiple Choice) | 120 minutes (reading time included)[1] | Australian Council for Educational Research · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Exam fee (STAT Multiple Choice) | A$240 (rises to A$250 from 1 January 2027)[2] | Australian Council for Educational Research · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Exam fee (STAT Written English) | A$225 (rises to A$230 from 1 January 2027)[2] | Australian Council for Educational Research · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Retake policy | Twice in any 12 months[2] | Australian Council for Educational Research · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Validity | 3 years from date of issue[3] | Australian Council for Educational Research · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Delivery | Online, remotely proctored via ProctorU (metro Perth: through TISC)[2] | Australian Council for Educational Research · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Eligibility | No ACER restrictions on who can sit STAT[2] | Australian Council for Educational Research · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Score release | A few days after each test window closes[3] | Australian Council for Educational Research · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Late registration deadline | A$65 late fee for late bookings[2] | Australian Council for Educational Research · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Testing window | Windows run 3–5 days, several times a year[2] | Australian Council for Educational Research · Oct 25, 2026 |
Interactive STAT - Special Tertiary Admissions Test resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:
According to Australian Council for Educational Research, “Multiple-choice questions, half critical reasoning, half quantitative reasoning”[1]
The content areas below are copied from the official STAT content outline published by Australian Council for Educational Research. The right-hand column shows which of our practice sets covers it.
| Official content area | Practice on this site |
|---|---|
| Quantitative Reasoning[4] | STAT - Special Tertiary Admissions Quantit... Practise reading numbers from tables, graphs and short scenarios, then setting up the calculation before you reach for an answer option. |
| Verbal and Critical Reasoning[4] | STAT - Special Tertiary Admissions Argumen... Practise finding the conclusion of an argument, the evidence behind it and the gap or flaw that weakens it. |
| Written English[4] | STAT - Special Tertiary Admissions Persona... Practise turning a short prompt into a clear position, with a planned structure and specific examples that support it. |
Prepare for the STAT - Special Tertiary Admissions Test exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.
These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.
Question: A sequence of patterns is created using dots. Pattern 1 has 3 dots, Pattern 2 has 5 dots, and Pattern 3 has 7 dots. If this trend continues, which formula can be used to determine the number of dots (d) in any given pattern number (n)?
Answer: D. d = 2n + 1
Explanation:
D is correct. The dot counts go 3, 5, 7, rising by 2 each time, so the rule is linear and 2n is the part that grows. Check it: 2(1) + 1 = 3, 2(2) + 1 = 5, 2(3) + 1 = 7. All the given patterns fit.
A (d = n + 2) gives 3 for Pattern 1 but adds only 1 per step, so it falls behind at Pattern 2. B (d = 3n) also gives 3 for Pattern 1, but it adds 3 per step instead of 2. C (d = n^2 + 2) starts at 3 too, but the gaps between terms keep widening, and this sequence has a constant step.
Rule to remember: when the step between terms is constant, the multiplier of n equals that step. Use the first term to fix the constant. Always test more than the first term, because several wrong formulas can match it.
Question: A city council member argues against a proposed bicycle lane project by stating, 'If we approve this bike lane, it's only a matter of time before activists demand we ban all cars from the city center.' Which of the following best describes this argumentative tactic?
Answer: D. Slippery Slope
Explanation:
D, Slippery Slope, is correct. The council member claims that approving a single bike lane will lead, step by step, to an extreme outcome: banning all cars from the city centre. No evidence is given for any link in that chain. That unsupported chain of consequences is the defining feature of a slippery slope.
A, Red Herring, means switching to an unrelated topic to distract from the issue. Here the speaker stays on the proposal and its claimed effects. B, Hasty Generalization, draws a broad conclusion from too few cases, and no cases or sample appear here. C, False Dilemma, presents only two options when more exist, and the speaker does not frame the choice as either/or.
Rule to remember: if an argument predicts a run of worsening events from a small first step without supporting each step, call it a slippery slope.
Question: An argument uses the following structure: 'All mammals are warm-blooded. Dolphins are warm-blooded. Therefore, dolphins are mammals.' This reasoning is:
Answer: B. An example of affirming the consequent
Explanation:
B is correct. The argument has this form: all mammals are warm-blooded, dolphins are warm-blooded, so dolphins are mammals. Put as a conditional, it says: if something is a mammal, it is warm-blooded. Dolphins have the consequent (warm-blooded), so the argument concludes they have the antecedent (mammal). That move is affirming the consequent, and it is invalid.
A is wrong because the form is not valid. Birds are warm-blooded, and the same form would wrongly make them mammals. C is wrong because a sound argument must be valid as well as having true premises. A conclusion that happens to be true does not fix a broken form. D is wrong because nothing is generalised from a sample. The argument tries to be deductive and fails.
Rule to remember: judge the structure, not whether the conclusion is true. Sharing a property with a group does not prove membership of that group.
Start with the official preparation material on the ACER STAT site. It shows the question style, how the timer works and which version your course asks for. Then take our STAT Structure and Format and STAT Content and Preparation sets so the rules and layout are familiar before you practise content.
For Multiple Choice, alternate between critical and quantitative work, because the real test splits evenly between them. Use Evaluating Written Arguments and Interpreting Prose Passages for reasoning. Use Data Interpretation from Graphs and Logical and Numerical Problem Solving for numbers. Keep a log of every wrong answer: note why the correct option works and why you chose the wrong one. Redo the logged questions later.
Closer to test day, sit a timed run of mixed questions within 120 minutes, remembering that reading time comes out of that total. For Written English, write full essays to a time limit and check each one for a clear position and specific support. Before your window opens, confirm your ProctorU setup or TISC arrangements.
This STAT study guide breaks down the essential components of the exam. Whether you are taking the STAT multiple choice test or the written component, understanding these basics is crucial.
Understanding your STAT score is key to knowing your university eligibility. Scores are scaled from 100 to 200.
| Score Range | Interpretation | Percentile | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🏆 170 - 200 | Excellent | Top 10% | High chance for competitive courses |
| ✅ 160 - 169 | Strong | Top 25% | Good for most degrees |
| 👍 150 - 159 | Average | ~50th | Meets standard entry reqs |
| ⚠️ 140 - 149 | Below Average | Bottom 25% | May need supplementary entry |
| 🛑 < 140 | Low | Bottom 10% | Consider re-sitting or pathways |
The cost of the STAT exam is a small investment compared to the career opportunities a university degree provides. Many institutions also offer pathways for low-income applicants to subsidize these costs.
The STAT test opens doors to a wide range of degree programs. Here are some popular pathways.
Join thousands of students who have successfully used our free STAT test practice questions to gain university admission. Start your journey today.
Try these questions from our free STAT - Special Tertiary Admissions Test practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
What identification must test-takers bring to the STAT test center?
Answer: C. Government-issued photo identification
Test-takers are required to bring government-issued photo identification (such as a passport or driver's license) to verify their identity.
What happens to a STAT test-taker who arrives significantly late to the test center?
Answer: B. They may be refused entry and forfeit their test fee
Test-takers who arrive too late may be denied entry to maintain standardized testing conditions, and fees are typically not refunded.
Which test-takers may be eligible for special testing accommodations on the STAT?
Answer: B. Those with documented disabilities or medical conditions
Test-takers with documented disabilities or medical conditions may apply for accommodations such as extra time or alternative formats.
Which section of the STAT Multiple Choice test specifically evaluates a student's ability to draw logical inferences from written passages?
Answer: B. Critical Thinking
The Critical Thinking section requires examinees to read passages and draw valid logical inferences from the information presented.
Take the full STAT - Special Tertiary Admissions Test practice test
How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.