IGNITE Program Adelaide: 2028 Entry Guide - Exam Date, Format and How to Prepare

If your child is in Year 6 in 2027, the IGNITE assessment for Year 7 entry in 2028 is on Saturday 20 February 2027, and registrations open on Monday 2 November 2026. This guide covers the key dates, who can apply, what the test involves and how Adelaide families can prepare between now and February.

📥 Free Download: The IGNITE Parent Guide. Want the complete preparation checklist, timeline and practice strategies in one place? Get the free IGNITE Guide here — we'll email it to you instantly.

Key dates for 2028 entry

• Registrations open: Monday 2 November 2026, through the ACER portal.

• Registrations close: early February 2027. The exact date is set on the ACER portal (in 2025, registrations closed about two weeks before the test). No late applications are accepted.

• Student ID: emailed to families in the week leading up to the assessment.

• ACER IGNITE Assessment: Saturday 20 February 2027.

• Program starts: Year 7, 2028.

Dates are taken from Glenunga International High School's IGNITE page (checked 15 October 2026). Always confirm them on your chosen school's website before you register.

Who can apply?

• Students who are in Year 6 at the time of the assessment, for entry into Year 7 the following year.

• Year 5 students can sit the assessment, but they need a signed letter of recommendation from their primary school principal, sent to the school before registering.

• Each student can apply to only one IGNITE school and sit the assessment once.

• Registration is online through the ACER portal and a registration fee applies. School Card holders pay the fee and can then apply for a refund.

What is the IGNITE Program?

IGNITE is the Department for Education's special interest program for gifted and talented students, offered at three public schools: Glenunga International High School, The Heights School and Aberfoyle Park High School. Students begin with an IGNITE Year 7 curriculum. From Year 8 they follow a personalised pathway: an Accelerated Pathway, with a faster pace and a focus on curriculum compaction, or an Enrichment Pathway, with depth and rigour at a pace between the Accelerated Pathway and regular year-level classes.

What does the IGNITE exam test?

The ACER assessment takes about three hours, including a break, and has four parts.

• Reading Comprehension tests how quickly and accurately your child can interpret written texts.

• Mathematical Reasoning goes beyond school maths, testing problem-solving under time pressure.

• Abstract Reasoning assesses pattern recognition and logical thinking with shapes and sequences, something most students have never practised at school.

• Written Expression requires students to produce a clear, well-structured piece of writing in a short window of time.

How competitive is entry?

Entry is competitive and places are limited. Strong school grades alone are not enough. The test rewards students who have practised the specific question styles, learned time-management strategies and built confidence under exam conditions.

A preparation timeline from now to February

• October to November 2026: sit a timed practice paper across all four parts to find the weakest area. Register on the ACER portal once it opens on 2 November.

• December to January: short, regular weekly sessions through the holidays, with extra time on Abstract Reasoning and Written Expression, the two parts primary students have practised least.

• January to mid-February: a full timed mock every one to two weeks, reviewing every mistake.

• Final week: light review, good sleep and a plan for the day. Watch your inbox for the student ID.

How to prepare: what actually works

Start early and be consistent. Steady weekly preparation beats a last-minute cram. Practise all four components, especially Abstract Reasoning and Written Expression. Use timed practice tests so the real exam feels routine rather than overwhelming. Review mistakes carefully, because the biggest gains come from understanding why an answer was wrong. Finally, work with someone who knows the test. Generic tutoring helps school grades, but IGNITE preparation is a specialised skill.

Not sure where to start? Download the free IGNITE Guide for the full preparation timeline and checklist, then read our FAQ for answers to the questions Adelaide parents ask us most.

How Private IGNITE Tutoring can help

I'm Bren, founder of Private IGNITE Tutoring and a Glenunga International High School graduate with a 97.35 ATAR. Over the past four years I have helped prepare more than 20 Adelaide students for IGNITE, scholarship and selective entry tests.

I offer one-on-one IGNITE preparation in your home, at a local library or online, covering every test component with structured lessons, practice exams and feedback for parents after every session.

For families who prefer self-paced study, our IGNITE Online Program includes 99 video lessons, a worksheet for every lesson and auto-marked mock exams.

Book a session or send an enquiry at privateignitetutoring.com.au, or call or text Bren on 0481 136 457. Spots are limited in the lead-up to the 20 February test, so early enquiries are strongly recommended.