Sample Tests

English

In this test, students explore four key areas:

Comprehension -understand what the text is really saying
Syntax -how sentences are built for meaning
Vocabulary -decode and use rich language
Writer’s Craft -spot techniques like similes and persuasive language

Tasks may include explaining events, comparing opinions, or naming writing techniques—all to show how well students read and think!

"Test More Than English—Discover Expression."

English isn’t just a subject—it’s the key to unlocking success in every classroom and beyond.

The ICAS English exam goes beyond rote learning, assessing real-world skills like critical thinking, interpretation, and communication.

Mapped to national curricula, it provides powerful insights into each student’s literacy journey.

Skill Area	Learning Objective	Key Student Outcomes
Text Comprehension	Locate, interpret, and analyse key information and relationships in texts	State the topic sentence Identify cause or effect Explain material/equipment choice Identify audience Distinguish fact from opinion Infer character mood Draw conclusions Contrast reviewers’ judgments
Writer’s Craft	Recognise and evaluate literary techniques and their effect	Identify literary devices (e.g., simile, personification) Interpret figurative language Explain word choice Compare techniques used in a text
Syntax	Apply knowledge of punctuation, tense, and agreement for sentence accuracy	Identify correct speech punctuation Demonstrate understanding of agreement and tense to select correct clause
Vocabulary	Interpret and manipulate word meanings in context	Provide a synonym for a given word Identify meanings of words in increasingly complex contexts

Mathematics

The Year 5 ICAS Mathematics test challenges students across five key areas:

Number & Arithmetic
Algebra & Patterns
Space & Geometry
Chance & Data
Measures & Units

Students will tackle exciting tasks like comparing and dividing numbers, solving puzzles, working with time, and spotting patterns—developing their logic and problem-solving skills every step of the way.

Mathematics isn’t just about numbers—it’s the language of logic, the core of STEM, and a powerful tool for solving real-world problems. The ICAS Mathematics competition offers students the chance to apply critical thinking, problem-solving, and reasoning skills in a fun, curriculum-aligned assessment. With questions designed to go beyond rote learning, students are encouraged to think flexibly and strategically. This test provides an objective benchmark of student performance, helping schools and families understand each learner’s mathematical strengths and opportunities for growth.

Skill Area	Learning Objective	Key Student Outcomes
Number & Arithmetic	Understand a wide range of numbers, decimals, and fractions; apply fluency in operations	Count, order, and compare numbers from 0.01 to 100,000 Understand decimal and whole number place value Count by halves, thirds, quarters, tenths, hundredths Solve problems with equivalent fractions Convert between decimals and fractions Use all number facts to 100
Algebra & Patterns	Recognise and continue numeric patterns	Sequence numbers in multiples of 2 to 10 Solve complex number puzzles using words
Measures & Units	Use appropriate tools, units, and time concepts to measure and compare quantities	Use scaled instruments to measure temperature and length Select appropriate metric units Estimate order of magnitude Convert between time formats (e.g., am/pm)
Space & Geometry	Interpret and apply spatial understanding in practical tasks	Read and interpret maps using scales and legends Complete symmetrical patterns Informally compare areas of irregular shapes Compare angles less than 180° Compare areas and perimeters using a grid
Chance & Data	Analyse probability and interpret increasingly complex data	Order event likelihood Recognise complementary and independent events Select and interpret appropriate data displays Interpret line graphs

Science

The Year 5 ICAS Science competition encourages students to think like young scientists

They are assessed on essential scientific skills such as observing, measuring, predicting, concluding, and solving problems across a range of real-world contexts. Students may be asked to identify cloud patterns, examine crystal structures, compare solids, liquids and gases, or interpret simple electric circuit diagrams—fostering curiosity and critical thinking in the process.

"Turning Observations into Discoveries."

The ICAS Science competition challenges students to apply essential STEM skills through engaging, curriculum-aligned questions. Designed for Year 5 learners and beyond, this test helps uncover each student’s ability to observe, analyse, investigate, and problem-solve—mirroring the core processes of the scientific method. With an objective ranking system, ICAS Science provides schools with valuable insight into student performance and growth areas. It’s more than a test—it’s a chance for young minds to explore how science works in everyday life

Skill Area	Learning Objective	Key Student Outcomes
Observing & Measuring	Accurately record features and properties in scientific contexts	Observe cloud patterns Identify crystal structures of salts Measure living things Examine electrical circuits
Interpreting	Extract meaning from scientific diagrams, timelines, keys, and data	Interpret geological timescales Understand pollution graphs Use dichotomous keys Interpret electricity flow
Predicting & Concluding	Predict changes and draw logical conclusions based on scientific understanding	Predict star positions Identify food web trends Conclude energy source outcomes Analyse states of matter
Investigating	Explore natural and scientific phenomena through basic experimentation	Investigate weather patterns Analyse household material reactions Study air, wind, and water properties Study teeth types
Reasoning & Problem Solving	Apply logic to deduce outcomes and relationships in scientific systems	Deduce shadow positions Examine metal heat expansion Understand experimental controls Use electric circuit diagrams

Digital Technologies

The Year 5 ICAS Digital Technologies test explores key skills across programming, word processing, internet use, spreadsheets, graphics, and general digital tools. Students may be asked to format tables, identify hardware, create presentations, understand web concepts, and more — all designed to strengthen their digital fluency in a tech-driven world.

"Powering Young Digital Minds."

In today’s tech-driven world, digital literacy is as essential as reading and writing. From how we learn to how we live, technology plays a role in every aspect of modern life. The ICAS Digital Technologies assessment helps schools benchmark students’ tech skills against year-level curricula. Covering key areas like programming, internet use, data handling, and multimedia, it encourages confident, safe, and creative use of technology — both in and out of the classroom.

Skill Area	Core Topics	Student Outcomes – Tasks May Require Students To:
Digital Systems	Hardware & software Network concepts Terminology File management	Recognise digital system components Understand Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Identify peripheral functions Apply naming/version control rules
Word Processing	Text formatting Tables Image integration oolbar functions	Use Find/Replace Justify text Import/paste images Create and format tables Use thesaurus effectively
Graphics & Multimedia	Audio/video editing Slide design with effects Colour tools	Create animated slides with timing/audio/video Crop/manipulate graphics Use gradients/patterns Adjust paintbrush tool
Internet & Email	Web concepts Email operations Search and safety	Attach files, use CC Recognise URL structures Search effectively Understand web conventions Practise safe and ethical usage
Spreadsheets & Databases	Data entry/management Graphs/charts Database basics	Insert/delete/sort rows or columns Format cells (font, number, text) Create charts Apply search terms Distinguish between formats
Programming	Block-based coding Algorithms Pseudocode elements	Recognise and interpret simple algorithms Understand sequence and loops Analyse pseudocode

Spelling Bee

The Year 5 Spelling Bee challenges students to spell a diverse range of words that assess four key spelling skill areas:

Visual knowledge -remembering the visual form of words
Phonological knowledge -connecting sounds with letters
Morphological knowledge -understanding word parts and how they build meaning
Etymological knowledge -recognising word origins and patterns

Through this exciting challenge, students strengthen essential literacy skills that support reading, writing, and confident communication across the curriculum.

"Spelling Skills for Smarter Futures."

Strong spelling isn’t just about getting words right — it builds literacy, boosts confidence, and supports success in writing and communication. The ICAS Spelling Bee challenges students to apply key skills like sound-letter patterns, word building, visual memory, and word origins. It’s a fun, research-backed way to develop essential literacy skills — and a great way to spot and support young spellers early.

Skill	Learning Objective	Learning Outcome
Recognising grammatical and sight words	Identify and recall high-frequency grammatical and irregular sight words accurately.	Students correctly spell common function words (e.g., “who,” “through”) and high-visibility vocabulary (e.g., “beautiful,” “children”).
Distinguishing commonly confused words and homophones	Use contextual understanding to choose correct spellings for words that sound alike.	Students avoid confusion between words like “passed” vs “past” and apply the correct spelling based on meaning.
Recalling visual spelling patterns	Recall and apply common visual spelling patterns, including silent letters.	Students spell words with silent letters (e.g., “lamb,” “autumn”) accurately from memory.
2. Phonological Knowledge
Using sound-letter relationships to spell words	Decode and encode words using knowledge of phonics, digraphs, and trigraphs.	Students correctly spell words like “frighten,” “preserve,” and “stretch” by applying phoneme-grapheme correspondences.
Distinguishing sound confusions	Identify and correct common sound-based spelling errors.	Students use correct spelling for sounds represented in different ways (e.g., “germ,” “badge,” “original”).
3. Morphological Knowledge
Using prefixes, suffixes, and root words	Apply knowledge of word structure to spell new or derived words.	Students spell derived words (e.g., “usefully,” “disappear”) using appropriate affixation rules.
Applying spelling rules when modifying base words	Understand and apply rules for doubling consonants, dropping silent 'e', or changing ‘y’ to ‘i’.	Students modify base words correctly (e.g., “hop” “hopping,” “lazy” “laziness”).
Building words with multiple affixes	Combine base words with more than one affix to form complex words.	Students accurately spell extended word forms (e.g., “unpopularity,” “insignificance”).
4. Etymological Knowledge
Recognising foreign-origin words	Identify and recall the spelling of common words with foreign roots.	Students correctly spell borrowed words (e.g., “chef,” “garage,” “restaurant”).
Understanding subject-specific and classical roots	Use knowledge of classical elements in technical or academic terms.	Students demonstrate accurate spelling and recognition of root-based words (e.g., “symphony,” “parallel”).