ANU ADMISSION TEST - FAQs

Why is the ANU holding this test?     
As part of a pilot the University is offering a supplementary aptitude test for school leavers for admission in First Semester 2011. We are exploring ways to increase access for admission and there are three areas that should be considered: Subject-based Knowledge; Attitude and Approach; and, Reasoning and Thinking. The first two are assessed through Year 12/HSC, etc, so the test will cover the last area.

Who can take the Test?

• A current Year 12 candidate who is expecting to receive an ATAR of at least 65 or above; or
• A recent school leaver who has not undertaken any tertiary study and has an ATAR (or UAI) of at least 70
• Must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident of Australia (including a holder of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) or a New Zealand citizen

Please note that for your uniTest result to be considered for admission to ANU your actual ATAR must be 70 or over and specialist degrees will require a higher level of achievement.
If you are an International applicant you are not eligible sit this test.

What test is the ANU using?    
The Test we've chosen is the ACER/Cambridge Assessment uniTEST, which was developed to provide additional information for applicants to UK institutions including Oxford, Cambridge.

What does the Test look like?    
UniTEST is a 2½  hour, 95 item, multiple-choice examination that measures the following skills in three core components (each of 30 items):
 
·        Quantitative Reasoning
·        Critical Reasoning
·        Verbal-Plausible Reasoning
 
The additional 5 items are trial items.

Can I see some uniTEST sample questions?
Yes, you can visit the ACER website at http://unitest.acer.edu.au/sample-questions/uniTEST_SampleQuestions.pdf

Can I prepare for uniTEST?
No, you can't prepare for uniTEST in advance.

Do I have to register for uniTEST?
YES – you must register for uniTEST by Wednesday 24 November 2010 at 5pm AEST.

How do I register for uniTEST?
You register online at http://unitest.acer.edu.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=14&Itemid=29  
What will it cost to sit the ANU Admission Test?
There will be a charge of $45 to sit uniTEST.  Any other associated costs i.e. travelling to Canberra, parking etc is at your own expense.

When will the ANU sitting of uniTEST be held?
There will be only one sitting for the 2011 intake on 1 December 2010.

The test will be held in Canberra on the ANU Campus and in Melbourne at the ACER Offices.
CANBERRA sitting:  You will need to be at Melville Hall at 9.30 for a 10AM start. 
MELBOURNE sitting: ACER – 19 Prospect Hill Rd, Camberwell at 9:30am for a 10am start.

If I arrive late will I be allowed to sit the ANU Admission Test?
No, you must be at the test venue in plenty of time to allow for registration and for time to get settled.  Once the doors have closed and the Test commenced no one will be allowed to enter the Hall.

Does this mean that I don't need an ATAR/UAI?     
The test will not replace the ATAR or Entrance Rank as the primary admission criterion but we may use it as an additional criterion to fill vacancies in selected degree programs.  For example, the test may be used to identify students with a higher ATAR who have potential for admission to a program such as Law but do not have the necessary published ATAR or Entrance Rank.
To be eligible to sit the uniTEST in December 2010 you must expect to achieve an ATAR or Entrance Rank of 65 or higher. For the test to be taken into account for entry to ANU, your ACTUAL ATAR must be 70 or above. Specialist degrees such as Law will require a higher level.

Will the Test allow me to enter any ANU program?
Depending on your results, the ANU Admission Test may allow you to enter any ANU undergraduate program with the exception of:
Bachelor of Engineering(R&D)
Bachelor of Computer Science(Hons)
Bachelor of Science (Advanced)(Hons)
Bachelor of Global and Ocean Sciences (Hons)
Bachelor of Psychology (Hons)
Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (Sustainability) (Hons)
Bachelor of Philosophy (Hons)
Bachelor of Computational Science (Hons)
Bachelor of Philosophy (Hons)/Bachelor of Science (Hons) NUS
Bachelor of Philosophy (Hons)/Bachelor of Arts (Hons) NUS
and programs that require audition/portfolio and interviews (e.g. Visual Arts, Design Arts, Digital Arts or Music).
Please note, this list may change and confirmation should be sought via the Admissions Office.

Does it cost to apply for entry to ANU?
Yes, standard application fees (and late fees) apply via UAC.
  
If I get an offer on the basis of the ANU Admission Test, can I defer?
Yes, you can defer your offer of a place of study for up to one year if you receive your offer as a result of the ANU Admission Test. You will need to commence, either part or full time in either Second Semester 2011 or First Semester 2012.

When will I get an offer?
If you are successful all offers will be made via UAC Main Round on 19 January 2011. You will not be notified separately by ANU regarding the test's effect on your eligibility. Please note: The test CANNOT negatively affect your entrance eligibility.

I am already an ANU student and want to transfer my program, should I sit the ANU Admission Test?
No, you are not eligible to sit uniTEST.  You should submit an Application for Program Transfer direct to Student Administration.
  
If I have received an offer from another university can I still sit the ANU Admission Test and get an offer for ANU?
Yes - but only if you have listed your ANU preferences with UAC higher than the non-ANU offer(s) you already have.  You will have until 6 January 2011 to change your UAC preferences for Main Round - we suggest that you list your ANU preferences as one of your higher UAC preferences to be more likely to receive an ANU offer. See http://www.uac.edu.au/undergraduate/faq/index.shtml for more information. 

Is the order of my UAC preferences important?
Yes, UAC works on a preference system. If you receive an offer to another preference and/or institution processing will stop for that round. See http://www.uac.edu.au/undergraduate/faq/index.shtml for more information. Please note that ANU cannot guarantee making offers beyond the Main UAC round.

When can I change my UAC preferences?
You have until 6 January 2011 to change your preferences for Main Round. The University may not offer places in any round after Main Round and will participate at its own discretion.

If I list ANU as a later UAC preference will I get an ANU offer?
Not necessarily.  Once you have been made an offer universities do not go down the list and make counter offers which means you will only receive one offer in a round if you meet entry requirements for that university.  If you have already been offered a place and then change your preferences you will not lose that offer, so if you sit the ANU Admission Test and have changed your preferences to ANU you may get an ANU offer. Applicants may only receive one offer in each round. See http://www.uac.edu.au/undergraduate/faq/index.shtml to understand how the UAC preference system works.

I have not applied for ANU yet how should I do so?
You must apply via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).  The UAC website is www.uac.edu.au.  Please note that application and late fees will apply after 30 September 2010.

If I receive an ANU offer after sitting the ANU Admission Test and do not defer or decline the offer, can I use the results in later years?
No, the results will only be valid for this Admission Period, First Semester 2011.

I have only just heard about the ANU Admission Test but the registrations have closed, is there anything I can do?
Unfortunately not for this intake period. Once registrations close, we are unable to accept any further applications to sit the test. However, you should visit this site regularly for more information on future tests.

Who should I contact if I have more questions or am not sure if I am eligible to sit the ANU Admission Test?
You should contact the Admissions Office by email at admiss.app@anu.edu.au or phone (02) 6125 5594.