There are many ways to get into university. One of the most common pathways is the STAT test.
Read on to learn to learn what the STAT is, what STAT ‘MC’ (Multiple Choice) and ‘WE’ (Written English) means, as well as who can take STAT and how it can help you to get into Curtin.
Covered in this article:
- What is STAT?
- Who can sit STAT?
- Is STAT multiple choice?
- What is STAT written English?
- What STAT score do I need to get into uni?
- How can I practise for STAT?
- How do I book a STAT test?
- The course I want to study doesn’t accept STAT. What are some other ways into uni?
1. What is STAT?
STAT stands for Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (formerly the Special Tertiary Admissions Test). STAT is an aptitude test that assesses your suitability to study and succeed at university. There are two sections to STAT: STAT Multiple Choice (MC) and STAT Written English (WE).
STAT is recognised in all Australian states and can provide a direct pathway to university if you don’t hold other qualifications, such as ATAR or a high school certificate. It’s particularly suitable if you are of mature age (i.e. you have turned, or will soon be turning, 20 years of age the year you wish to study at uni).
In Western Australia, STAT is administered by TISC and is a paper-based test.
Don’t meet the criteria for STAT?
We offer several bridging and enabling pathways to university as well.
2. Who can sit STAT?
Mature age applicants
If you are at least 20 years of age before 1 March the year you want to start university, you can sit STAT for entry to Curtin in semester 1. If you’re applying for semester 2, you must be at least 20 years of age before 1 August the year you want to start university to sit STAT.
Year 12 applicants
If you’re in Year 12 and your final ATAR English results don’t meet Curtin’s English language requirements, you can take the Written English section of the STAT. This test is only available after the WACE ATAR exams.
3. Is STAT multiple choice?
STAT comprises two sections: a multiple-choice section and a written English section. You have three hours plus 15 minutes of reading time to complete both parts of the test.
STAT Multiple Choice
STAT Multiple Choice (MC) is a two-hour test comprising 70 multiple choice questions. Half the questions are designed to test your verbal or critical reasoning and are social sciences-based, and the other half test your quantitative reasoning and are maths and science-based.
Each question has four responses to choose from; there is only one correct answer for each question.
STAT Written English
STAT written English (WE) is a one-hour test where you write two short essays on two different topics to demonstrate your written communication skills within a limited time frame.
4. What is STAT Written English?
STAT Written English (WE) is one section of STAT. It requires you to write two essays on two different topics to assess your ability to interpret and understand ideas in language.
Part A invites argument on a public affairs topic; part B asks for a more personal perspective on a subject. Each part gives you four topics to choose from.
For both essays you will be marked on thought and content; structure and organisation; and expression, style and mechanics of language used.
5. What STAT score do I need to get into uni?
Both STAT Multiple Choice and Written English are marked on a scale of 100 to 200. You need a minimum STAT score of 135 MC and 140 WE to be eligible for Curtin courses that offer STAT as an entry pathway.
Some Curtin courses require specific components of STAT MC (i.e. Verbal or Quantitative or both) and you may also need to complete enabling units to meet prerequisites. Be sure you check the admission criteria on the relevant course page.
If you are sitting just STAT WE, you need a minimum score of 140 WE to meet our English language requirements.
Each WA university accepts different STAT results, so check the TISC webpage for details. TISC will post you your STAT results in hard copy format within three weeks of sitting the test.
6. How can I practise for STAT?
You can practise for STAT by reading the STAT Candidate Information Booklet available on the TISC website. It includes sample exam questions and answers, and essay prompts.
There is also some preparation information available on the ACER STAT website, or you can purchase practise material from ACER, which contains questions used in past STAT exams.
Additionally, you may want to consider enrolling in a STAT preparation program. These programs, however, are not associated with ACER, so you will need to discern the quality and accuracy of course content and whether it’s worth your investment.
7. How do I book a STAT test?
All bookings to sit STAT in WA are made by downloading and completing the STAT booking form through TISC.
The TISC website also has information on exam locations and costs.
8. The course I want to study doesn’t accept STAT. What are some other ways into uni?
Some Curtin courses are competitive and don’t accept STAT. However, you may be able to gain entry to the course by studying a pathway course first, such as the Bachelor of Science (Multidisciplinary Science) or Bachelor of (Science) Health Sciences.
Once you have completed the required units in one of these courses, you’ll be eligible to apply to switch into your preferred course.
If you are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, you’re also eligible for our Indigenous Tertiary Enabling courses, in addition to our other pathways.
