🏫 About the SA Ignite Program
What it is, who it’s for, and how selection works
The SA Ignite Program offers an accelerated, enriched curriculum for academically gifted Year 7 students at selected South Australian government high schools. Students are selected in Year 6 through a competitive process using the ACER Higher Ability Selection Test (HAST).
🎓 SA Ignite Selection Process 📝 HAST Exam February, Year 6 📊 Score Report Ranked by ACER 🎤 Interview Selected students 🏫 Ignite Placement Year 7 entry
| 🏫 Schools |
Glenunga International High School · The Heights School · Aberfoyle Park High School (and others — check DECD annually for current list). |
| 📅 When |
HAST exam held in February of Year 6. Applications open in Term 3 or 4 of Year 5 — check your school and DECD for exact dates. |
| 📝 Test format |
4 sections: Reading Comprehension, Written Expression, Mathematical Reasoning, Abstract Reasoning. All paper-based. |
| 🎤 After the test |
Top-scoring students are invited to an interview. Final selection considers both HAST score and interview performance. |
| 📊 Competitiveness |
Programs are highly competitive. Preparation significantly improves performance, especially in Written Expression and Abstract Reasoning. |
🔑 Why preparation matters
The HAST tests general academic ability — not specific curriculum content. A student who has never studied a particular topic can still answer HAST questions correctly by reasoning carefully from the stimulus provided. This means preparation pays off. 💪
