FAQ Sheet 14:
What is the Special Tertiary Admissions Test?
How can I use the Special Tertiary Admissions Test to get into university?
The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) is one of the alternative entry pathways to university where a student is considered based on criteria other than a Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) score. Generally (but not always) the STAT is used where a student does not have other formal qualifications to use as the basis of their application to enter a university course.
Here are some basic details about the STAT and how to use it as a pathway into university. This information is taken from the 'Special Tertiary Admissions Test Candidate Information Booklet' and the 'UAC Guide' by the Universities Admissions Centre (NSW & ACT).
What is the STAT?
- STAT is a written test which assesses academic competencies considered important to successful university study.
- There are two versions of the STAT, including STAT Multiple Choice and STAT Written English.
- The STAT is for specific categories of university applicants. Each university that accepts STAT has its own category of applicants for which it accepts STAT results. STAT is usually, but not always, for use by non-year 12 students.
- You can prepare for STAT by practising sample STAT questions (received when you register to sit for STAT) or attending STAT preparation courses (see the 'UAC Guide' for further details).
How is STAT used to gain admission to university?
- Not all universities accept STAT results. Those that do have their own eligibility criteria for university course applicants who are eligible to use STAT results for the basis of their application. See the 'UAC Guide' or UAC's website for details of which universities accept STAT and for which categories of course applicants.
- If an applicant meets a university's eligibility criteria for use of STAT results, the university will take into account their STAT score and any other relevant information as part of the admission process to determine whether the applicant is offered a course place.
How do I make an application based on STAT results?
- First check whether the university and course you wish to enter accept STAT results as a basis for admission. You must also check whether you fit eligibility criteria for applicants allowed to submit STAT results as a basis for admission application.
- After completing STAT you are given a STAT score and a percentile rank (similar to the ATAR Score).
- You apply to university using the usual application process, submitting your STAT score and any other information required. STAT is administered by the UAC. You register, sit for and receive results from STAT through the UAC.
Further information
- For information about whether a university accepts STAT, which courses are included and eligibility criteria contact the university directly. The admissions office is most likely the university staff able to provide these particulars. We recommend that you find out these details before proceeding with further research about STAT.
- For further details about the STAT process see the 'UAC Guide' Part 1 or UAC's website. You may also contact the STAT Officer at UAC by phone, (02) 97520200, with any questions.