International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) are independent skills-based assessments with competition elements. ICAS is developed annually for both primary and secondary school students in the subject areas of Digital Technologies, English, Mathematics, Science and Writing.
ICAS is produced by the Educational Assessment Australia (EAA), an education group of UNSW Global Pty Limited, a not-for-profit provider of education, training and advisory services and a wholly-owned enterprise of the University of New South Wales (UNSW).
Critical thinking, reasoning and problem solving are some of the essential higher-order skills needed to succeed in school as well as in the wider community. The materials presented in ICAS reflect this importance, providing the opportunity for students to perform a range of tasks using these and other skills. ICAS tests cater to a wide range of student abilities using contexts that stimulate the students’ interest and engage their attention.
The content of ICAS tests is not based on any particular school curriculum, but on skills that are essential to succeed in various subjects whether at school or beyond. ICAS results provide valuable diagnostic information that can be used to assess the students’ strengths and weaknesses as well as to assist with the preparation of appropriate learning experiences.
The ICAS is open to all students from Primary Standard 3 to Secondary Form 5. The subjects that are included are Mathematics, Science, and English. The duration for each paper is 1 hour and the exam will be conducted in the morning as scheduled by NSW.
*Available from 2021/2022 onwards