Sample Tests

English

The introductory ICAS English paper for Year 2-level students develops essesntial skills in:

Comprehension - Underrstanding the text
Writers's Craft - Exploring how ideas are expressed
Syntax - Recognising sentence structure
Vocabulary - Using the right words

Students show their skills by identifying, explaining and analysing parts of the text with clarity and confidence

Progressing from Basic to Brilliance

Students will read a variety of texts which narrate, describe, explain, argue, persuade and review. The texts will increase in complexity within each paper (class level) as well as from Introductory Paper to Paper H, moving from simple texts dealing with familiar subjects and topics to complex texts discussing abstract concepts and using sophisticated language structures.

Skill Area	Learning Objective	Key Student Outcomes
Text Comprehension	Understand and interpret ideas, relationships, and outcomes in texts	Match steps to images Identify character relationships Restate ideas Infer feelings, compare features, predict events
Writer’s Craft	Recognise and explain basic literary devices and stylistic choices	Locate rhyming words Identify figurative language Explain similes/metaphors
Syntax	Identify and interpret grammar structures and sentence-level features	Identify parts of speech Use correct tense/agreement Interpret italics/pronouns
Vocabulary	Identify and interpret word meanings using context	Find definitions in text Interpret unfamiliar words from context

Mathematics

The ICAS Mathematics Introductory Paper is designed to build essential numeracy foundations and support early mathematical thinking and problem-solving :

Number and Arithmetic
Patterns and Algebra
Measurement and Units
Space and Geometry
Chance and Data

Nurturing Numeracy from the Early Years

From as early as Year 2, developing strong numeracy skills lays the groundwork for lifelong learning. Mathematics helps young minds build logic, spot patterns, and solve everyday problems—making it an essential part of a child’s academic journey.

Skill Area	Learning Objective	Key Student Outcomes
Number & Arithmetic	Develop number sense and apply basic operations to solve simple problems	Count, order, and compare numbers upto 100 Understand place value and number lines Recognise halves and wholes Add and subtract using strategies Use basic multiplication/division cues Solve number problems involving whole numbers
Algebra & Patterns	Recognise and extend simple patterns; solve basic number puzzles	Continue number and shape patterns Solve simple number puzzles using words or symbols
Measures & Units	Measure and compare attributes using informal methods and read basic time	Measure and compare mass, length, volume, area Read time (half-hour) on clocks Understand time in days, weeks, months Use informal units of measurement
Space & Geometry	Identify positions, directions, and basic shapes	Follow and give directions Recognise positions on a pictures or maps Identify and classify shapes/solids Compare shape features (same/similar/different)
Chance & Data	Interpret basic data displays and describe simple probability events	Complete and read simple tables and picture graphs Estimate outcomes using terms like will/might/won’t happen

Science

The ICAS Science Introductory Test for Year 2 assesses students across key scientific areas, including:

Earth and Beyond
Natural and Processed Materials
Life and Living
Energy and Change

Students are required to observe, measure, interpret data, make predictions, draw conclusions, and apply reasoning and problem-solving skills.

Curious Minds Start Here

The ICAS Science exam for Year 2 sparks curiosity and encourages young learners to think like budding scientists. With age- appropriate questions, the test explores key skills such as observing, predicting, measuring, and making sense of the world around them. Aligned to their school curriculum, the assessment offers a fun and engaging way for students to apply scientific thinking while discovering how they compare with peers. It’s the perfect starting point for building confident, curious problem-solvers from an early age.

Skill Area	Learning Objective	Key Student Outcomes
Observing & Measuring	Make accurate observations and compare features or quantities	Identify seasonal features Compare liquid levels Recognise changes in living things Observe temperature changes Observe shadow formation
Interpreting	Interpret visual information, graphs, and diagrams	Understand signs and simple graphs Read tables about materials Interpret life cycle diagrams Rank temperature data
Predicting & Concluding	Make logical predictions and draw conclusions from data	Predict shadows based on light position Choose materials using data Draw conclusions from growth graphs Predict object movement
Investigating	Explore and test ideas through observation and comparison	Investigate rock hardness Mix solids with water Grow different seedlings Explore shadow formation
Reasoning & Problem Solving	Apply scientific thinking to solve simple problems	Identify missing moon shapes Match materials to their use Use a key to classify animals Determine gear or wheel movement direction

Digital Technologies

Step into the world of tech with the ICAS Digital Technologies Introductory session!

This engaging assessment introduces young learners to key digital concepts such as:

Digital systems and devices
Basic computer operations
Multimedia and graphics
Internet and web basics
Email and online communication
Social media awareness

It’s a fun and interactive way to explore how technology works and how we use it every day

"Empowering Young Minds Through Technology."

The ICAS Digital Technologies exam for Year 2 introduces young learners to the exciting world of technology. In today’s digital age, knowing how to use devices, navigate online spaces, and understand how technology works is a vital life skill—even for our youngest students. This assessment helps children build early digital confidence by testing key skills such as using basic computer functions, recognising digital systems, and staying safe online. It’s a fun and practical way to discover how Year 2 students are developing digital literacy for the world ahead.

Skill Area	Learning Objective	Key Student Outcomes
Digital Systems	Recognise basic components and functions of digital systems	Identify hardware vs. software Name parts of digital systems Use common digital terms (icon, toolbar, cursor)
Word Processing	Create and format basic documents	Enter, delete, save text Use cut, copy, paste Apply basic formatting (font, alignment) Use spell check
Graphics & Multimedia	Manipulate graphics and use simple multimedia tools	Resize, rotate, flip images Use drawing tools Identify multimedia icons (audio, video) Create basic slideshow presentations
Internet & Email	Navigate online spaces and use basic email functions	Identify parts of a web browser Use search terms Understand web addresses Send, receive, and reply to emails Understand cyber safety
Spreadsheets & Databases	Collect, organise, and interpret data	Recognise spreadsheet structures Interpret simple graphs Conduct simple database searches
Programming	Understand basic coding concepts	Recognise simple sequences Decode using a given code

Spelling Bee

The ICAS Spelling Bee Introductory Paper for Year 2 is more than just spelling. For the introductory Paper, ICAS - Spelling Bee does not assess or report in the context of error correction.
Students are tested on:

Listening and writing (dictation)
Spelling rules
Fixing mistakes
Checking their work

They’ll use skills like sounding out words, recognising word parts, and understanding where words come from—all to become better, more confident spellers.

"From Sounds to Spelling Success."

Spelling is a key part of early literacy, and the ICAS Spelling Bee helps Year 2 students build strong reading and writing skills.

This fun, focused test supports vocabulary, boosts confidence, and encourages careful listening and attention to detail—skills that help young learners succeed across all subjects.

It’s a great way to see how your students are growing as confident, capable writers.

Skill Area	Learning Objective	Key Student Outcomes
Visual Knowledge	Recall and spell words based on visual memory and familiar patterns	Recognise and spell grammatical and sight words (e.g., for, some, children) Distinguish between homophones (e.g., two/to, sore/soar) Spell words with silent letters (e.g., know, wrap)
Phonological Knowledge	Use sound-letter relationships to spell familiar and unfamiliar words	Identify and apply vowel/consonant digraphs and trigraphs (e.g., rain, star, hair) Use long vowel sounds with silent 'e' (e.g., sore, conclude) Spell consonant blends (e.g., grin, stretch) Handle common sound confusions (e.g., judge, germ) Manage double/single consonant rules (e.g., happy, sudden)
Morphological Knowledge	Apply spelling rules and conventions for prefixes, suffixes, and base words	Add suffixes correctly (e.g., caring, races) Retain/drop silent ‘e’ when needed Double final consonants (e.g., swimming) Change ‘y’ to ‘i’ (e.g., flies) Add prefixes and multiple affixes (e.g., misbehave, unkindly)
Etymological Knowledge	Recognise and spell words derived from other languages or subject-specific terms	Spell foreign or borrowed words (e.g., pizza, garage) Understand technical terms with foreign roots (e.g., bicycle, quarter)