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The International Competitions and Assessments for Schools

Independent skills-based assessments with a competition element. Commonly referred to as the UNSW tests, ICAS is unique, being the most comprehensive generally available suite of academic assessments and school tests for primary and secondary school students. The assessments comprise eight Computer Skills tests, eleven English tests, eleven Maths tests, ten Science tests, five Spelling tests and ten Writing tests.

Each student receives

• an engaging and challenging full-colour test booklet
• an individual report containing detailed diagnostic data
• information about individual progress over time
• a password to access their results online which can be viewed and downloaded
• an award certificate and potentially a University of New South Wales medal and certificate acknowledging their achievement.

Subjects

The subjects assessed in the International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) are Computer Skills, English, Mathematics, Science, Spelling and Writing. Each year, a team of subject experts develop the tests with reference to the curriculum. Our experts write skills-based assessments designed to assess the level of competency a student possesses in each subject area.

For more information on the individual subject areas, click on the corresponding subject icon below.
Computer Skills	General computer skills drawn from a range of curriculum areas and focussing on a variety of computing contexts, including:	Common operating systems and hardware Graphics and multimedia Internet and email Programming and scripting Spreadsheets and databases Word processing
English	Reading and language skills in a range of texts. Students are required to locate, identify, interpret, infer and synthesise information in and about texts, focusing on the aspects of:	Reading for meaning in factual texts Reading for meaning in literary texts Syntax Textual devices Vocabulary
Mathematics	Mathematical skills in a range of contexts from the following areas:	Algebra and patterns Chance and data Measures and units Number and arithmetic Space and geometry
Science	Scientific skills in the subject contexts of Earth and Beyond, Energy and Change, Life and Living, Natural and Processed Materials. The skills are from the following areas:	Interpreting data Investigating Measuring and observing Predicting/Concluding from data Reasoning/Problem solving
Spelling	Spelling of words that range from simple spelling patterns to difficult or unusual spelling patterns, in four different contexts:	Applying rules and conventions Dictation Error correction Proofreading
Writing	Constructing an aspect of a narrative text or a form of persuasive writing, demonstrating:	Language choices that enhance the writing Punctuation Spelling Syntax and grammar Text purpose and structure