Preparation Playbooks

Plain-English guides to Australian maths, science and coding competitions — what each exam tests, how the levels compare, and how to plan preparation without wasting practice time. Written for parents and students, free to use.

Maths

AMC vs AIMO: Which Maths Competition Should Your Child Prepare For?Compare the Australian Mathematics Competition and AIMO, including format, difficulty, student fit and preparation pathway for Years 7-10. How to Prepare for the Australian Mathematics Competition in Years 7-8A parent-friendly guide to Australian Mathematics Competition preparation for Years 7-8, including topics, practice routines and course pathways. 8-Week AMC Preparation Plan for Australian StudentsA practical 8-week Australian Mathematics Competition preparation plan covering topics, practice, past papers, revision and exam-day habits. How to Use AMC Past Papers Without Wasting Practice TimeLearn how to use Australian Mathematics Competition past papers for diagnosis, topic revision, timed practice and final exam preparation. AMC 2026 Cut Off Scores: NSW & VIC2026 Australian AMC reference scores, with next-step course options. NSW AMC Cut Off 2026: Years 3–12 Scores2026 Australian AMC reference scores, with next-step course options. VIC AMC Cut Off 2026: Years 3–12 Scores2026 Australian AMC reference scores, with next-step course options. After AMC 2026: What Should Your Child Do Next?Find your child’s next learning step after the result. AMC Scoring, Awards and Medals ExplainedHow the AMC is scored out of 135, and how Distinction, High Distinction, Prize and Medal awards are decided by percentile. AMC Difficulty Explained: Questions 1 to 30A question-by-question guide to how AMC difficulty rises from Q1 to Q30, and how to prepare for each band. How Many Hours to Prepare for the AMC?Realistic preparation hours by goal, a sensible weekly rhythm, and when to start for the 2026 competition. Is the AMC Worth It for My Child?An honest look at the real benefits, the costs and which students gain the most from the Australian Mathematics Competition. AMC vs School Maths: What's Different?Why strong school students can still struggle with the AMC, and how to prepare for the gap in method choice and reading. AMC Common Mistakes and How to Avoid ThemThe most common AMC mistakes in preparation and on exam day, with a practical fix for each. AIMO Qualification and Pathway ExplainedHow the Australian Intermediate Mathematics Olympiad works, who can sit it, the 2026 date, scoring and where it leads. AIMO vs AMC: Which Comes Next?How to decide which competition your child should prepare for next, based on their AMC results. APSMO Maths Olympiad Preparation (Years 7-8)The four-contest format, non-routine problem solving, a round-by-round strategy and a practical study plan for the APSMO Maths Olympiad. Australian Mathematical Olympiad (AMO) PreparationWhat to expect from the AMO, how the 2026 restructure into Summer, Winter and Finals works, and how invited students prepare for proof problems.

Science

Big Science Competition vs Junior Science Olympiad: Which One Should Students Do?Compare Big Science and Junior Science Olympiad for Australian students, including difficulty, year levels, skills tested and preparation pathways. ICAS Science vs Big Science Competition: Which Is Better For Your Child?Compare ICAS Science and Big Science Competition for Australian students, including purpose, difficulty, preparation and next steps. Junior Science Olympiad Y7-8 vs Y9-10: What Is The Difference?Understand the difference between Junior Science Olympiad Y7-8 and Y9-10, including difficulty, preparation and student readiness. Australian Science Olympiads Pathway: From Junior Science To Biology, Chemistry, Physics And Earth ScienceUnderstand the pathway from Big Science and Junior Science Olympiad to the Australian Science Olympiads in biology, chemistry, physics and Earth science. JSO Syllabus and Topics Breakdown (Years 7-8)A full breakdown of the Junior Science Olympiad Years 7-8 syllabus across biology, chemistry, physics, Earth science and the science skills tested. JSO Past Papers and Practice GuideHow to find and use Junior Science Olympiad past papers the right way, with a method for diagnosis, review and timed practice. Junior Science Olympiad Year 7 PreparationA step-by-step Year 7 JSO preparation guide covering the right topics, science skills and a realistic study plan. Science Competitions in Australia for Year 7: An OverviewAn overview of the main Year 7 science competitions — Junior Science Olympiad, Big Science and ICAS Science — and how to choose. How to Prepare for the Big Science Competition (Years 7-10)The 30-question, 50-minute format, the curriculum-aligned topics, a study plan and where the Big Science Competition leads. ASOE Chemistry Preparation GuideHow to prepare for the Australian Science Olympiad Chemistry exam: format, topics, a study plan and the pathway to the IChO team. ASOE Physics Preparation GuideHow to prepare for the Australian Science Olympiad Physics exam: the two-hour format, topics tested, a study plan and the IPhO pathway. ASOE Biology Preparation GuideHow to prepare for the Australian Science Olympiad Biology exam: format, topics, the data-reading skill that decides results, and the IBO pathway. RACI Australian Chemistry Quiz PreparationHow to prepare for the RACI International Chemistry Quiz: the 30-question format, topics by level, and a practical study plan.

Free Learning Resources & Fun Stuff

🔢 Maths Learning ResourcesFree maths games, graphing tools, videos and problem-solving challenges — split for Years 5–6, 7–8 and 9–10. 🧪 Chemistry Learning ResourcesThe best free chemistry videos, games, simulations, interactive periodic tables and printable posters — split for ages 10–14 and 15–18. 🔭 Physics Learning ResourcesFree physics videos, games and simulations on forces, energy, electricity and space — split for ages 10–14 and 15–18. 🧬 Biology Learning ResourcesFree biology videos, games, virtual labs and interactives on cells, genetics and the living world — split for ages 10–14 and 15–18. 🌍 Earth Science Learning ResourcesFree Earth & space science videos, simulations and interactives — geology, weather, oceans and the planet from orbit, for ages 10–18. ⚗️ Famous ChemistsFriendly introductions to the chemists who built the subject — from Mendeleev and the periodic table to Marie Curie. 🔭 Famous PhysicistsMeet the minds who unlocked the universe — Newton, Einstein, Faraday, Feynman and more. 🧬 Famous BiologistsThe scientists who revealed the secrets of life — Darwin, Mendel, Pasteur, Rosalind Franklin and more.

Coding

Australian Informatics Olympiad vs CAT: What Is The Difference?Compare AIO and CAT for Australian students interested in coding competitions, algorithms and informatics preparation. Australian Informatics Olympiad (AIO) PreparationThe three-hour, six-problem format, subtask scoring, allowed languages and a practical training plan for the AIO. How to Qualify for the Australian Informatics OlympiadThe full AIO pathway: from the open exam to the School of Excellence, the invitational contests, the April selection school and the IOI team. Computational and Algorithmic Thinking (CAT) PreparationThe 60-minute format, the three-stage tasks, the four divisions and a practical plan — no coding required.

Planning

How To Choose Australian Maths, Science And Coding Competitions For Your ChildA parent guide to choosing AMC, AIMO, Big Science, Junior Science Olympiad, ICAS, Australian Science Olympiads and AIO. How To Use The Australian Competition Calendar For Maths, Science And CodingLearn how parents can use the AceAchievers Exam Calendar to plan maths, science and coding competition preparation across the year. What To Do After AMC, ICAS, Big Science, JSO Or AIO ResultsA practical parent guide to using AMC, ICAS, Big Science, Junior Science Olympiad and AIO results to plan the next preparation step. When To Start Competition And Scholarship PreparationA timing guide: how far ahead to begin competition, scholarship and selective-test preparation, and how to plan the months before the exam.

Choosing & Deciding

Is a Private School Scholarship Worth It?An honest look at what awards cover, the hidden conditions, school fit, and the value of the preparation itself — before you commit. Selective School vs Private ScholarshipA clear comparison of NSW selective schools and private school scholarships: cost, entry tests, competitiveness and how to decide.

Scholarships & Selective

Scholarship Test Preparation in Australia: A Parent GuideHow to prepare for private and independent school scholarship tests, including the ACER, Edutest and AAS formats, timing and a sensible study plan. AAS vs ACER vs Edutest: Scholarship Tests ComparedA clear comparison of the three main Australian scholarship test providers — their formats, pace and what each one rewards. Sydney Scholarship Exams ExplainedHow scholarship exams work at Sydney independent schools, which providers they use, and how they differ from the NSW selective and OC tests. Melbourne Scholarship Exams ExplainedHow scholarship exams work at Melbourne independent schools, which test providers they use, and how to prepare. Selective School Test Preparation (NSW)The four parts of the NSW Selective High School Placement Test, timing for entry, and how to prepare effectively. Opportunity Class (OC) Test PreparationThe three parts of the NSW Opportunity Class Placement Test, who is eligible, and how to prepare a Year 4 student for Year 5 entry. General Ability (GA) Test Practice GuideWhat general ability tests measure — verbal, numerical and abstract reasoning — and how to practise them for scholarship and selective tests. Scholarship Writing: How Examiners Mark ItWhat assessors reward in scholarship and selective writing tasks, and how to plan a strong timed piece under pressure. Brisbane Scholarship Exams ExplainedHow private and grammar school scholarship exams work in Brisbane and Queensland, which test providers schools use, and how to prepare. Perth Scholarship Exams ExplainedHow private school scholarship exams work in Perth and Western Australia, which test providers schools use, and how to prepare. Adelaide Scholarship Exams ExplainedHow private school scholarship exams work in Adelaide and South Australia, the early-February ACER timing, and how to prepare. Scholarship Test: Year 5 vs Year 7Which entry year to target — the difficulty, competition and commitment trade-offs between Year 5 and Year 7 scholarship entry. Selective School Thinking Skills PracticeWhat the NSW selective Thinking Skills section tests, its question types, and how to practise critical thinking under timing. Selective School Writing Test GuideWhat the writing component of selective and scholarship tests involves, what markers reward, and how to plan a timed piece.

School Assessments & Results

NAPLAN Preparation Guide for ParentsWhat NAPLAN tests, when it runs in 2026, which year levels sit it, and how parents can support without over-coaching. Year 9 NAPLAN: What to ExpectWhat Year 9 NAPLAN involves, why it is the last NAPLAN year, the 2026 test window, and how to support a Year 9 student sensibly. Year 7 NAPLAN: What to ExpectWhat Year 7 NAPLAN involves, the four test areas, the 2026 test window, the online adaptive format, and how to support a Year 7 student. How to Read NAPLAN ResultsHow to interpret a NAPLAN report and the four proficiency levels — Exceeding, Strong, Developing and Needs additional support. GA Test vs NAPLAN: What's the Difference?How a general ability (GA) reasoning test differs from NAPLAN in purpose, content and what each means for scholarships and selective entry. ICAS Preparation GuideWhat ICAS is, the subjects and year levels, the 2026 sitting dates, and how to prepare for English, Mathematics and Science. ICAS Mathematics PreparationThe above-curriculum format, the 2026 sitting window, the reasoning the test rewards, and a practical study plan by year level. ICAS English PreparationThe above-curriculum format, the 2026 sitting window, the comprehension and language skills tested, and a practical study plan. How Students Are Ranked: Competitions and Results ExplainedHow rankings, percentiles, award bands and cut-offs work across Australian competitions and selective tests — and how to read a result.

Received an AIO result? Plan the next step.

AIO 2026 results and awards: Gold, Silver, Bronze, Credit and what to practise next →

Check the official result first, then choose a curriculum by the coding and problem-solving skills your child needs.

Preparing for high school and choosing what comes next

Start with your child’s school-learning needs. Explore competition or acceleration courses when the curriculum fits their interests and readiness.