PagineAustralian Capital Territory Curriculum Guide & Practice Tests
ACT schools teach the Australian Curriculum to Year 10. Senior colleges (Years 11–12) offer courses accredited by the BSSS, assessed within schools rather than by external exams, with the ACT Scaling Test used to compare results.
- 13 levels
- 270 practice tests
- 2 exam guides
Choose a level
Exams and tests
| Exam | Subjects | When | Counts? |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Senior Secondary Certificate and Scaling Test (AST) | School-assessed courses; the AST tests critical thinking, writing and quantitative reasoning | AST in September of Year 12 | Required for an ATAR in the ACT. |
| NAPLAN | Reading, writing, conventions of language (spelling, grammar, punctuation) and numeracy | March (2026: 11–23 March), online | Does not count toward school reports; results go to families and schools. |
How school is organized
Kindergarten, Years 1–6, Years 7–10 (high school) and Years 11–12 (college).
Finishing school: The ACT Senior Secondary Certificate requires completing a minimum package of courses; an ATAR also requires sitting the ACT Scaling Test (AST).
Official curriculum: Australian Curriculum v9 (ACT)
Other state or territorys
Frequently asked questions
What curriculum does Australian Capital Territory use?
ACT schools teach the Australian Curriculum to Year 10. Senior colleges (Years 11–12) offer courses accredited by the BSSS, assessed within schools rather than by external exams, with the ACT Scaling Test used to compare results.
How are school years organized in Australian Capital Territory?
Kindergarten, Years 1–6, Years 7–10 (high school) and Years 11–12 (college).
What is needed to finish school?
The ACT Senior Secondary Certificate requires completing a minimum package of courses; an ATAR also requires sitting the ACT Scaling Test (AST).
Which exams do students take in Australian Capital Territory?
ACT Senior Secondary Certificate and Scaling Test (AST); NAPLAN.