ICAS Mathematics

The International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) – Mathematics assesses five strands:

Number and Arithmetic:

This strand involves types of numbers, their properties and operations on numbers. The strand has strong links with Measures & Units, Algebra & Patterns and Chance & Data. It also has some links with Space & Geometry.

Algebra and Patterns:

This strand involves patterns of numbers, relationships between numbers and the use of symbols to stand for unknown or variable numbers.

Measures and Units:

This strand involves properties of the physical world that can be measured, the units used to measure them and the process of measurement.

Space and Geometry:

This strand involves the properties of two-dimensional and three-dimensional space.

Chance and Data:

There are some broad differences in content between papers:

Papers A, B, C, D and E

Calculators are not permitted.
Formal algebra is not tested: the emphasis is on pattern, structure and puzzles
Formal geometry is not tested (except for a small amount in Paper E): the emphasis is spatial skills.

Papers F, G, H, I and J

Calculators are required.
Formal algebra is tested and students are expected to be familiar with some conventions of algebra.
Formal geometry is tested and students are expected to be familiar with some conventions of geometry.

To find out more about the Mathematics skills assessed at each year of schooling in ICAS download the ICAS - Mathematics assessment framework PDF .

See ICAS test details for practical information including test dates, entry fees and year levels assessed in your country.

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