Every exam, every year. One structured plan.
A comprehensive, structured curriculum that guides students through every major milestone in their academic journey.
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One shot, one school.
South Australia's Ignite program is sat in Year 7 for Year 8 entry, and lets each family apply to just one school — there's no second attempt and no second preference. That one-shot reality makes early, focused preparation non-negotiable.
The SA Academic Journey
Navigate key milestones from primary school through to the SACE with our integrated preparation program.
Primary School — Years 3 to 6
Year 3
NAPLAN
Foundation assessment and baseline establishment
FoundationYear 5
NAPLAN
Continued skill development and benchmarking
AdvancementYear 6
Ignite Application
Time to choose: SA's Ignite application allows one school only, so your first preference is decisive — apply via the ACER® portal
AdvancementApplications (2027 test cycle): 2 Nov 2026 – 1 Feb 2027High School — Years 7 to 12
Year 7
Ignite Exam + NAPLAN
ACER-based selection sat at the start of Year 7 — since SA Year 7 is already high school, this sits alongside the Year 7 NAPLAN benchmark
Intensive PrepApplications (2027 test cycle): 2 Nov 2026 – 1 Feb 2027Year 8
Ignite entry
Ignite program entry — the accelerated Years 8–10 stream begins
ExcellenceYear 9
NAPLAN
Final NAPLAN benchmark
ExcellenceYear 10–12
SACE
Senior secondary mastery
MasterySA's Ignite Program
Ignite (formerly SHIP): accelerated streams at Glenunga International, The Heights and Aberfoyle Park. You sit the assessment once, at one school only — so your first preference matters more than anywhere else in the country.
Test format
| Reading | Comprehension |
|---|---|
| Writing | Written response |
| Mathematics | Multiple choice |
| Abstract Reasoning | Pattern / matrix items |
Key dates
The 2026 test has been held — you're preparing for the 2027 cycle.
Dates for the 2027 cycle are projected from the recurring annual pattern and are not yet department-confirmed. Dates shift annually and late applications are not accepted — always confirm with the SA Department for Education before you rely on them.
How SmartPrep prepares
- The NSW curriculum maps directly to the ACER® assessment — Reading, Writing and Mathematics.
- Our Abstract Reasoning practice covers the figural matrix items directly, and is live now.
- Because you sit once, disciplined timed practice matters — our exam-condition mode builds that.
Customised SA Ignite practice is live: AI-generated items styled to this test's real components, adapting to your child. Free during the 2026 beta.
Start free practiceFree during beta. Sign in to start a diagnostic and adaptive practice for SA Ignite.
What a practice score means here
Your mock score band, read against the competitiveness tier of the schools you actually rank — the same matrix our mock runner reports. Never a pass/fail.
| Score band | Most competitive | Highly competitive | Competitive | Moderately competitive | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ≥80 | High probability | Very high probability | Very high probability | Very high probability | Very high probability |
| 75–79 | Medium probability | High probability | Very high probability | Very high probability | Very high probability |
| 70–74 | Low probability | Medium probability | High probability | Very high probability | Very high probability |
| 65–69 | Unlikely at this tier | Low probability | Medium probability | High probability | Very high probability |
| 60–64 | Unlikely at this tier | Unlikely at this tier | Low probability | Medium probability | High probability |
| <60 | Unlikely at this tier | Unlikely at this tier | Unlikely at this tier | Low probability | Medium probability |
- Most competitive: State's very hardest — 20:1+ demand, top HSC/ATAR outcomes. A place needs an elite rank.
- Highly competitive: Sought-after metro schools; strong demand and high historical cut-offs.
- Competitive: Solid demand; a strong-but-not-elite performance is typically in contention.
- Moderately competitive: More accessible historical ranges; realistic for consistent mid-band performers.
- Accessible: Lowest historical cut-offs (often regional/newer programs); widest access.
School tiers reflect COMPETITIVENESS (how high a rank a place typically requires), NOT school quality — every selective school offers an excellent education. Cut-offs are the score of the lowest-ranked student who accepted a place that year; they are not published in advance and can move 5–10 points year to year. Tiers are SmartPrepAI's competitiveness bands, informed by community-sourced historical data — not official figures. Re-verify annually. Verified 2026-07-05.
Based on SmartPrep's calibrated practice cohort and published information — an indication for preparation, not an official prediction. Selection is run by the department or school, not SmartPrep.
SmartPrepAI is an independent study platform and is not affiliated with, authorised by or endorsed by any government education department, ACER®, EduTest®, Cambridge Assessment, or any school named on this page. Test names and trademarks are used nominatively for identification only. Exam details are provided for general guidance — always confirm current requirements with the official provider.