Re-sit

The standard test attempt limit permits an initial test attempt plus up to two additional resits (totalling three attempts) for each component (literacy and numeracy) of the test for enrolled students in accredited ITE courses. This provides students with reasonable opportunity to demonstrate that their personal literacy and numeracy skills are equivalent to the top 30 per cent of the adult population. Prospective or unenrolled students have no limit on the permitted number of test attempts. 

Please refer to the definitions below:

  • an enrolled ITE student, defined as ‘a person who is enrolled in an accredited ITE course, either undergraduate or postgraduate’.
  • Prospective or unenrolled test candidate, defined as ‘a person who is not currently enrolled in an accredited ITE course.’ A prospective or unenrolled test candidate must be someone who:
    • has never enrolled in an accredited ITE course; or
    • was previously enrolled in an accredited ITE course, and did not exhaust the standard three test attempt limit for enrolled students; or
    • was previously enrolled in an accredited ITE course and exhausted the standard three test attempt limit but:
      • is planning on returning to an accredited ITE course; and
      • has not been enrolled in an accredited ITE course for a minimum of two years; and
      • has not attempted the test for a minimum of two years.

You only need to demonstrate once that you have met the standard for each test component (literacy and numeracy). Test results are transferrable and do not expire. If you sat the test and have met the standard for one test component, you only need to register for and re-sit the test component that you were unsuccessful in. If you sat the test as a prospective/unenrolled candidate and have met the required standard of one component of the test prior to enrolment, you will not be required to re-sit that component after enrolling.

You will need to re-sit the full test component if you have not reached the overall standard for the component. Results from individual sub-domain(s) are not transferrable between tests.

For enrolled students, any test sittings prior to the May 2016 test window do not count towards your re-sit attempts. However the results from these sittings are still valid. For example, if you have successfully met the literacy or numeracy test standard as part of the limited implementation which took place in August and September 2015, or as part of the NSW BOSTES’ requirement in February 2016, you will not need to resit the test component that you have passed.

If you do not meet the standard after your first or second attempt, you are advised to talk to your higher education provider to request support to help you reach the standard before registering to sit the test a second or third time.

The National Teacher Workforce Action Plan - LANTITE trial commenced from Test Window 4 in September 2023 (when registration opened). Note: In April 2024, Ministers agreed to extend the national trial by one test window. This decision means that the trial will run for the remainder of 2024, and students will continue to receive unlimited test attempts and improved feedback. You may be able to access uncapped test attempts during the trial period if your HEP or state/territory is participating in the trial. Please refer to https://www.education.gov.au/national-teacher-workforce-action-plan/national-teacher-workforce-action-plan-lantite-trial and the FAQ page for relevant information.  

Additional test attempts

If you are currently enrolled in an accredited ITE course and have sat the test three times and you have not met the standard, please contact your institution to discuss your options. 

In special and/or extenuating circumstances, institutions may consider that individual students should be allowed additional test attempts up to a maximum of five (including the initial three attempts). Advice is available for higher education providers on the process required for requesting fourth and fifth test attempts which includes confirmation of remedial actions that have been put in place for the individual student.

An unenrolled test candidate who has exhausted the standard test attempt limit (initial attempt plus two resits) while enrolled will require support from a HEP or TRA for a fourth or fifth resit. The only exception to this is if the unenrolled test candidate has been unenrolled from an accredited ITE course for a minimum of two years and has not attempted the test for a minimum of two years.

If you register for a test sitting and do not attend the session you booked, this will not count towards your test attempts.

If a candidate is determined to have:

  • registered for an additional attempt without having followed due process, their registration will be cancelled and their higher education provider notified
  • sat the test for an additional test attempt without having followed due process, their institution will be notified for appropriate action. The candidate will not receive their test result.

If you have exhausted your permitted test attempts and are eligible to access uncapped test attempts under The National Teacher Workforce Action Plan - LANTITE trial, please email teacheredtest@acer.org.

Resetting of test attempts

In order for an individual to have their test attempts reset after exhausting the standard test attempt limit and any additional attempts, they must un-enrol from their accredited ITE course and take a minimum two-year break. During this break, registration as a prospective/unenrolled student will not be allowed. If the individual re-enrols in an accredited ITE course after a two-year break, their test attempts will be reset to zero, and they will have the full quota of three test attempts available to them again under the standard test attempt limit. If they choose not to re-enrol in an accredited ITE course, the previously enrolled student will be considered a prospective/unenrolled student after the two-year period has passed.

For individuals who intend to, or need to, re-enrol in another accredited ITE course rather than sit the test as a prospective/unenrolled student, the onus is on the individual to demonstrate to the HEP that they are eligible to reset their test attempts by providing documentary evidence they have taken a minimum two-year break. It is at the discretion of the receiving institution to support a reset of test attempts. Students will need to discuss their circumstances with the relevant institution and supporting documentation must be provided to confirm the two-year study break by providing the exit date and re-enrolment date in the accredited ITE program.

ACER will cross-reference its records to confirm that the student has not had a test attempt during the two-year break. If a student is found to have attempted the test during the break, ACER will refuse a reset request until two years have elapsed since the last test attempt.