HAST
HAST is ACER's Higher Ability Selection Test. Schools in five states use it to choose children for selective, gifted and accelerated classes. Primary is sat in Years 4 and 5, Junior Secondary in Years 6 and 7, Middle Secondary in Years 8 and 9 and Senior Secondary in Year 10: Reading Comprehension, Mathematical Reasoning, Abstract Reasoning and Written Expression, on paper with no calculator.
Where it runs
Schools in 5 states
- VIC
- NSW
- QLD
- WA
- SA
What’s covered
The four HAST tests, at four levels
Schools choose which tests to set, so practise the ones your child’s school names. Every question is explained afterwards.
Primary · Years 4 and 5
- 28 questions · 35 min
Reading Comprehension
Two stories, a poem, an information text and a persuasive text, with questions on each.
Start the test - 28 questions · 35 min
Mathematical Reasoning
Number, measurement, shape, data and chance in two- and three-step problems. No calculator.
Start the test - 30 questions · 30 min
Abstract Reasoning
Shape series, the middle of a series, and grids of pictures that follow a rule.
Start the test - 1 task · 30 min · marked
Written Expression
A short prompt to write from, marked against ACER’s three criteria, with the child’s own sentences quoted as the reason.
Write a piece
Junior Secondary · Years 6 and 7
- 36 questions · 45 min
Reading Comprehension
Two stories, a poem, two information texts and a persuasive text, with questions on each.
Start the test - 32 questions · 40 min
Mathematical Reasoning
Number, algebra, measurement, shape and data in multi-step problems. No calculator.
Start the test - 30 questions · 30 min
Abstract Reasoning
Shape series, the middle of a series, and grids of pictures that follow a rule.
Start the test - 1 task · 25 min · marked
Written Expression
A short prompt to write from, marked against ACER’s three criteria, with the child’s own sentences quoted as the reason.
Write a piece
Middle Secondary · Years 8 and 9
- 36 questions · 45 min
Reading Comprehension
Two stories, a poem, two information texts and a persuasive text, longer and denser, with questions on each.
Start the test - 32 questions · 40 min
Mathematical Reasoning
Algebra, ratio, measurement, chance and reading data from graphs, in multi-step problems. No calculator.
Start the test - 30 questions · 30 min
Abstract Reasoning
Shape series, the middle of a series, and grids of pictures that follow a rule, mostly at the hardest level.
Start the test - 1 task · 25 min · marked
Written Expression
A short prompt to write from, marked against ACER’s three criteria, with the child’s own sentences quoted as the reason.
Write a piece
Senior Secondary · Year 10
- 36 questions · 45 min
Reading Comprehension
Two literary extracts, a poem, two information texts and an argument to weigh up, with questions on each.
Start the test - 35 questions · 45 min
Mathematical Reasoning
Algebra, indices, number theory, geometry and data, in multi-step problems. No calculator.
Start the test - 30 questions · 30 min
Abstract Reasoning
Shape series, the middle of a series, and grids of pictures that follow a rule, mostly at the hardest level.
Start the test - 1 task · 25 min · marked
Written Expression
A short prompt to write from, marked against ACER’s three criteria, with the child’s own sentences quoted as the reason.
Write a piece
ACER names HAST's tests and levels but not how many questions each has or how long it runs, and each school chooses which tests to set. Our counts and times sit in the ranges schools report, and the mix inside each test is our own estimate. From Middle Secondary, ACER's maths test also asks science-style reasoning; ours covers it with data and graph questions.
Pricing
HAST practice, on its own
Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, Abstract Reasoning and marked writing, at Primary and Junior Secondary levels. One payment covers 6 months, with no auto-renewal.
HAST
$129+ GST for 6 months
What’s included
4 levels · 3 exam-style sections each · 6 months access
Primary, Years 4 and 5
- Reading Comprehension — 28 questions, 35 min
- Mathematical Reasoning — 28 questions, 35 min
- Abstract Reasoning — 30 questions, 30 min
Junior Secondary, Years 6 and 7
- Reading Comprehension — 36 questions, 45 min
- Mathematical Reasoning — 32 questions, 40 min
- Abstract Reasoning — 30 questions, 30 min
Middle Secondary, Years 8 and 9
- Reading Comprehension — 36 questions, 45 min
- Mathematical Reasoning — 32 questions, 40 min
- Abstract Reasoning — 30 questions, 30 min
Senior Secondary, Year 10
- Reading Comprehension — 36 questions, 45 min
- Mathematical Reasoning — 35 questions, 45 min
- Abstract Reasoning — 30 questions, 30 min
ACER names HAST's tests and levels but not how many questions each has or how long it runs, and each school chooses which tests to set. Our counts and times sit in the ranges schools report, and the mix inside each test is our own estimate. From Middle Secondary, ACER's maths test also asks science-style reasoning; ours covers it with data and graph questions.
- Answers, explanations and worked solutions on every HAST-style paper they sit
- Primary, Junior, Middle and Senior Secondary levels, for Years 4 to 10, and SA Ignite practice
- All three tests: Reading Comprehension, Mathematical Reasoning and Abstract Reasoning
- Written Expression marked against ACER's criteria, with their own sentences quoted
- Quick Revision and Favourites across papers
- Detailed progress by question type
- One payment, 6 months of access, no auto-renewal
That's $141.90 for HAST, GST included, one payment in Australian dollars for 6 months of access. No auto-renewal; when the 6 months end, access stops unless you buy again.
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