International Student Admission Test (ISAT)
All applicants, including internationals, aiming for medicine and select health degrees, must complete the International Student Admissions Test (ISAT) (also called the international student admission test). ISAT Australia has a one of a kind, 3 hour, online, multiple choice test, that is done under remote supervision.
The ISAT exam is done for assessment of critical and quantitative reasoning, which is not based on any particular school curriculum. You should select a test window, complete your registration with ACER, take the exam from a certified location, and results will be accessible from your ACER account. This site explains testing fees and dates, the procedures on testing day, your ISAT results and how to utilize them during the application process, and options for ISAT practice testing including ISAT practice tests at no cost.
What is the International Student Admission Test (ISAT) and who needs it?
The International Student Admissions Test (ISAT) is a 3-hour online multiple-choice assessment developed by ACER to support selection into medicine and health profession courses. It focuses on reasoning skills you build over time, not memorising subject content.
Who needs ISAT?
Courses/Universities that currently require ISAT
ACER lists ISAT as a mandatory requirement for international applicants to selected courses, including: Monash (Medicine), UNSW (Medicine), University of Tasmania (Medicine), UWA direct pathways (Medicine/Dentistry), Western Sydney University (Medicine via International Office), plus a few non-Australia options.
Requirements can change year to year. If you tell PickMyUni your target course + intake, we’ll help you confirm whether you need the ISAT test (or a different admissions test) and map the quickest path to apply or transfer.
ISAT Test Dates and Key Deadlines (2026)
Here are the official ISAT 2026 test windows (the last 2 days of each window are resits only):
Test Windows
- Test Window 1: 19–30 Jan 202629–30 resits only
- Test Window 2: 27 Apr–8 May 20267–8 resits only
- Test Window 3: 27 Jul–7 Aug 20266–7 resits only
- Test Window 4: 26 Oct–6 Nov 20265–6 resits only
Registration system closes (and refunds/deferrals close at the same timestamp in the booklet):
- Window 16 Jan 2026, 9:00pm AEDT (≈ 3:30pm IST)
- Window 213 Apr 2026, 9:00pm AEST (≈ 4:30pm IST)
- Window 313 Jul 2026, 9:00pm AEST (≈ 4:30pm IST)
- Window 412 Oct 2026, 9:00pm AEDT (≈ 3:30pm IST)
Resit rule: ACER states you can only resit 12 months after your previous sitting.
Not sure which window fits your uni intake? Message PickMyUni and we’ll help you line up deadlines and application timelines.
ISAT Test Format
- Duration: 3 hours (180 minutes) with an on-screen timer
- Questions: 100 multiple-choice questions, each with 4 or 5 options
- Marking: One correct answer; no marks deducted for incorrect answers
- Skills Tested: Critical and quantitative reasoning
What “critical reasoning” looks like
Reading passages, interpreting arguments, judging what follows logically. ACER notes this section draws on humanities/social science-style material.
What “quantitative reasoning” looks like
Interpreting data, graphs, tables, and applying maths relationships to reach a decision. ACER notes this section draws on maths/science-style material.
📚PickMyUni note: The easiest mistake we see is treating ISAT like a syllabus exam. Your score usually moves most when you train speed + accuracy on unfamiliar info, not when you memorise formulas.
How to Register for the ISAT - Step by Step Process
Create an ACER account
Initial step to get your credentials
Register for ISAT
Select your test and fill details
Create a ProctorU account
Required for remote supervision
Book your session when invited
Final step after payment invitation
Key registration facts
- All sessions are remote proctored
- Fee: AUD 435 paid at registration
- Deferral: allowed within the testing period with a AUD 72 deferral fee (rules apply)
- You’ll receive an ISAT ID for tertiary applications
ISAT Practice Test Options (including free ISAT practice tests)
Official ISAT practice test (paid)
ACER offers ISAT Practice Tests for purchase via the registration portal. ACER says these are provided as awatermarked PDF e-book, and each practice test is about half the length of the real ISAT while keeping a similar mix of question styles; answers are included.
Link of the resourceFree ISAT practice tests (what’s actually free)
If you’re searching free ISAT practice tests, start with ACER’s sample questions included in the official information booklet. That gives you the closest “official-style” warm-up without spending money.
Link of the resourceA practical 14-day prep plan (PickMyUni-style)
| Timeline | Focus & Activity |
|---|---|
| Days 1–2 | Do free sample questions → note your weak areas (timing, reading density, data interpretation). |
| Days 3–7 | 45–60 mins/day: alternating sets (critical one day, quantitative next). Track time per question. |
| Days 8–10 | 2 timed mixed sets. Fix patterns: rushing, over-reading, careless arithmetic. |
| Days 11–13 | Sit one official half-test under exam rules (quiet room, timer, only permitted items). |
| Day 14 | Light review + test-day setup check. |
⚠️ ACER warning worth taking seriously:
ACER states prep courses are not recommended or associated with them, and they’re unregulated—judge claims carefully before paying.
ISAT Test Day Checklist
ACER says you should download the ACER Test App before your sitting time.
You’ll need (core items):
- ✅ Computer/laptop (no tablets/phones)
- ✅ Stable internet connection
- ✅ Small erasable whiteboard + pen OR two A4 sheets + pencil
- ✅ Accepted photo ID
Optional (permitted):
- 💧 Clear water bottle (no label)
- 📖 Printed bilingual dictionary (if non-native English speaker)
⚠️ Prohibited items include:
Phones, calculators, smartwatches, recording devices, standard English dictionaries, food, headphones, dual monitors (see full list in booklet).
ISAT Results - Release Dates, Access, Validity
ISAT 2026 results are released within 2 weeks of the last day of the test window, and you’ll get an email when ready; you access them via your ACER account.
“No later than” dates for ISAT results in 2026:
Window 1
14 Feb 2026
Window 2
23 May 2026
Window 3
22 Aug 2026
Window 4
21 Nov 2026
- Your Statement of Results is generated as a PDF (no certified hardcopy issued).
- Currency: results are considered current for 2 years.
- How universities get your ISAT test results: You supply your ISAT ID and your results. During registration, you nominate which universities can verify your record.
Need help picking the right university after ISAT?
ISAT is one part of your application. The bigger win is choosing the right course + intake so your ISAT results / ISAT test results land in the right place at the right time.
How PickMyUni helps
- •
Confirm if your target course needs the ISAT test
- •
Line up ISAT Australia windows with deadlines
- •
Help with course transfers if switching pathways
Talk to PickMyUni and get your ISAT plan matched to your actual intake timeline.
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