2014 International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS)

For children in Years 4-6 students wishing to sit ICAS tests this year.

Dear Parent

The University of New South Wales is offering your child an opportunity to participate in the International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS). 

ICAS assessments have taken place annually in schools for over thirty years and in 20 countries. Educational Assessment Australia (EAA), who design and deliver the assessments, is the not-for-profit arm of the University of New South Wales.

ICAS:

·         is an annual skills development assessment program in key areas of learning for students in Years 4-13; assessments are available in Computer Skills, English, Mathematics, Science, Spelling and Writing

·         gathers performance information through a 30–60 minute supervised in-school test

·         provides a continuous, independent and comprehensive record of a student’s performance, and maps their development over the full period of primary and secondary schooling

·         enables the progress of each student to be mapped in each skill against their previous performance, demonstrating personal improvement no matter the starting point

·         uses other participating students’ results as a reference point for comparing your child’s performance

·         provides an excellent preparation for national testing

·         enables students at all levels of ability to participate; ICAS contains questions designed to specifically explore the abilities of students of all standards – this includes those of both lower and higher levels of achievement

·         medals are awarded to the top students in each subject in each school year when sufficiently meritorious and the test was sat on the official test date

·         achievement certificates are awarded to all students at a range of levels:

1.     High Distinction to the top 1% of students
2.     Distinction to the next 10% of students
3.     Credit to the next 25% of students
4.     Merit to the next 10% of students
5.     Participation to all other students

·         results are available to parents and students online; these online reports and analyses remain available indefinitely. ICAS reports indicate which questions were answered correctly, compare student performance to that of the other students tested and are highly suitable for inclusion in a student’s portfolio for future tertiary entrance or job opportunities

·         entries are administered through the school, so teachers can also access the information

To enrol your child in ICAS, please complete the registration form overleaf and return it, with your entry fees, to school by   FRIDAY 4 APRIL

For more information about ICAS go to www.eaa.unsw.edu.au, contact Customer Service on 0800 778 010 or send an email to info@eaa.unsw.edu.au

Your child can also prepare for ICAS using Practice Online. Practice Online tests are available for English, Mathematics and Science. Find out more about Practice Online at www.eaa.unsw.edu.au/practice-online

Yours sincerely

Dr Sofia Kesidou                                                                      Steve Ostermann
Group Executive                                                                       Principal
Educational Assessment Australia                                              Woodstock School

2014 International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS)

Registration Form

Please return this form to your child’s school

 

I give permission for my child                                                                            of

                                                     Child’s name                                                              Class

to participate in the following 2014 International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS):

Please select the subjects you would like your child to enter:

Subject/Paper	School Years	Official Sitting Date	Entry fee	Fee enclosed
Computer Skills	4 – 11	20 May 2014	8.50
Science	4 – 13	4 June 2014	8.50
Writing	4 – 13	17 June 2014	19.50
Spelling	4 – 8	17 June 2014	10.50
English	4 – 13	29 July 2014	8.50
Mathematics	4 – 13	12 August 2014	8.50
			TOTAL

 

Students should sit on the official sitting date for each subject to be eligible for UNSW medals. However, your school may choose to sit at another time to fit in with other school activities and routines.

Please find enclosed ____________________total entry fee.

                                          Amount

Name of Parent/Guardian                                                                                   Date

 

 

________________________________________________________________________

Signature of Parent/Guardian