2025 Comprehensive Guide to the AEAS Exam for Australian High Schools
What is the AEAS exam in Australia? When it comes to English proficiency tests, many are familiar with IELTS, TOEFL, and TOEIC. However, for parents considering sending their children to study in Australia, it's essential to understand the details related to the AEAS Exam.
About AEAS Exam
AEAS (Australian Education Assessment Services) is a comprehensive assessment designed for international students planning to study primary and secondary school in Australia. Since 1985, AEAS has served as a standard for evaluating the proficiency of international students, with offices in Melbourne, Beijing, and Hong Kong.
AEAS offers a range of services, including examinations, mock tests, preparatory courses, marketing, and various activities related to the assessment process. Over the past 40 years, AEAS has earned the trust of Australian schools through its reliable, accurate, effective, and rigorous on-site examination services, dedicated to providing a high-quality assessment experience for students.
AEAS has established strong partnerships with all stakeholders (schools, educational institutions, government, families, and students) to collaboratively promote the development of international education.
Why Take AEAS?
- High Recognition: Accepted by over 80% of schools in Australia, including public schools.
- Faster Decision-Making: Schools can make quicker decisions based on exam results.
- Efficient Applications: Enhances the efficiency of applying to Australian schools.
- Assessment of English Proficiency: Helps schools understand students' English proficiency and needs for English courses.
- Balanced Results: Exam results provide a fair assessment.
When to Take the Exam?
Note: Students cannot retake the exam within three months.
AEAS Exam covers:
- English Proficiency
- Mathematical Reasoning
- Non-Verbal Reasoning
Students will be assessed based on their age and the grade they are applying for. For example, a student currently in Year 9 will take the English exam for Years 10-12; a student preparing to apply for Year 10 next year will take the Year 10 math and reasoning tests. AEAS does not have "Pass or Fail" grading; the aim is to accurately reflect a student's ability to thrive in an English-speaking learning environment.
English Proficiency Assessment
For Students Preparing for Years 10-12:
- Vocabulary Section: (20 minutes) Includes multiple choice, matching, and fill-in-the-blank questions.
- Reading Section: (30 minutes) Includes multiple choice, matching, fill-in-the-blank, and graphical questions.
- Writing Section: (30 minutes) Students write a 200-word essay on a topic suited to their interests and age.
- Listening Section: (20 minutes) Includes multiple choice, matching, fill-in-the-blank, and graphical questions.
- Speaking Section: (10-15 minutes) Involves a series of dialogues, presentations, image descriptions, and discussions, which will be recorded.
For Students Preparing for Years 7-9 (similar format to Years 10-12):
- Vocabulary Section: (30 minutes) Includes matching, context-based fill-in-the-blank, and spelling.
- Reading Section: (30 minutes) Similar to the above.
- Writing Section: (30 minutes) Students write a 150-word essay on a topic suitable for their age.
- Listening Section: (20 minutes) Similar to the above.
- Speaking Section: (10-15 minutes) Similar format, with age-appropriate topics, recorded.
For Students Preparing for Years 4-6 (similar format to Years 7-9):
- Mathematical Reasoning: A 45-minute multiple-choice assessment tailored for different grade levels, assessing students' mathematical reasoning skills. Students may use calculators and printed dictionaries during this section, but mobile phones and other electronic devices are prohibited.
- Non-Verbal Reasoning: A 30-minute multiple-choice assessment evaluating students' reasoning abilities, with scores accurately reflecting their intellectual level.
Registration Information
Beyond Australia, AEAS assessments are conducted in over 25 countries, including China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. A list of testing centers can be found at AEAS Registration.
Items to Bring on Exam Day
- One passport-sized photo (with the student's name written on the back)
- Original and copy of the past year’s school transcript (with English translation)
- Original and copy of a photo ID
- Black ballpoint pen
- Calculator and printed dictionary (only for math assessment)
AEAS Assessment Report
The AEAS Educational Assessment Report provides the following information:
- Total score for the English proficiency test (out of 100) and individual scores for its five components.
- Recommendations for the duration of English preparatory courses (in weeks).
- Scores and average grades for the mathematical reasoning and non-verbal reasoning assessments.
- Suggested entry grade.
Schools will reference the recommendations in the report when reviewing applications, to determine the student's enrollment date, allowing sufficient time to enhance their English proficiency and smoothly transition into an English-speaking learning environment. Schools may also require students to retake the exam before classes commence to ensure they meet the required standards.
The AEAS Educational Assessment Report is prepared by the AEAS Australia headquarters and sent to:
- The school the student is applying to
- The student/parents
- The education service center indicated by the student/parents on the AEAS registration form
Benefits of the AEAS Report:
- Helps parents and education service centers choose schools that best fit the student’s needs and level.
- Assists schools in understanding students’ abilities to provide appropriate admission arrangements.
- Shows the student's current level of English proficiency.
- Prevents students from entering an English-learning environment without adequate language skills.
- Aids parents in formulating a more comprehensive budget for overseas studies (including costs for English preparatory courses).
Variations in English Proficiency Requirements Across Schools
Different schools may have widely varying requirements for English proficiency, depending on the level of English support they can provide. Language programs can range from full-time intensive English courses to just a few hours a week. Schools with limited ESL/EAL support may have higher AEAS English proficiency requirements, while those providing high-level support may set lower AEAS English proficiency standards.
Extended Readings
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