Question 1

I am having difficulty accessing the shop URL. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

Please check the system status updates page to see if the shop is up and running. If it is, please try accessing the shop again.

Question 2

Where can I find the Terms and Conditions for the shop?

Accepted Answer

Terms and Conditions for purchasing through the shop can be found here.

Question 3

Where can I find your privacy policy?

Accepted Answer

The Janison Privacy Policy can be found at the footer of the ICAS Assessments website, or here.

Question 4

What is the Parent Payment System?

Accepted Answer

The Parent Payment System (PPS) is our easy to use system that allows you to make direct payments for your child’s ICAS assessments. To use this system, your school will need to sign up for PPS and share the system registration details with you.

Find more information on PPS here, or get a simple step-by-step guide on how to use PPS.

Question 5

How do I register my child using the Parent Payment System?

Accepted Answer

Your child's school will send you a unique access code and instructions on how they can sit ICAS tests using the Parent Payment System. It is at the school's discretion to offer all or some ICAS subjects and year levels.

Question 6

When does the Parent Payment System close?

Accepted Answer

The closing date for parents to purchase via PPS is at the discretion of the school. However, the "close parent ordering" date listed on the assessments calendar page is the last possible date to order through the system.

Question 7

I'm in New Zealand. Do I need to pay GST?

Accepted Answer

Janison Solutions Pty Limited is required to be registered and to collect NZ GST from NZ resident consumers. Please refer to the below links for more information on our GST requirements.

Supplying remote services into New Zealand

GST on remove services

For your reference, Janison Solutions Pty Limited’s New Zealand GST number is 133-788-735.

Question 8

What is the difference between ICAS and Reach?

Accepted Answer

You can find an in depth comparison of ICAS vs Reach in our blog here.

Question 9

My child’s school does not offer ICAS. Can they still participate?

Accepted Answer

We run alternate testing centres for children that would like to sit ICAS with our Janison Exam Management team. Click here for more information.

Question 10

My child's school is not offering certain ICAS subjects. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

We run alternate testing centres for children that would like to sit ICAS with our Janison Exam Management team. Click here for more information.

Question 11

Can my child sit an exam that is a year level higher?

Accepted Answer

Yes, your child is allowed to sit at a higher level than the year they are currently enrolled. Please note that reports/certificates will appear on the higher year level selected.

Question 12

I ordered online but did not receive my receipt. How can I get it?

Accepted Answer

Please contact our customer service team:

1800 931 775 (Australia toll-free)
0800 440 904 (New Zealand toll-free)
+61 2 5565 2217 (International)

Email: icasassessments@janison.com

Question 13

What happens next for a parent who purchased an ICAS test?

Accepted Answer

If your child is sitting ICAS at school, they’ll be able to view released results in the Student results portal (results portal login details are located on the back of any previous year's ICAS certificate).

Question 14

How do I access the interactive features of my 2019 or 2020 past paper PDFs?

Accepted Answer

To access all 2019 or 2020 past paper interactive features including instant marking, online completion and unlimited re-sits, they must be opened in Adobe Acrobat Reader. You can download a free version here.

Question 15

I accidentally bought the wrong year level for my child. What do I do?

Accepted Answer

Please contact our customer service team:

1800 931 775 (Australia toll-free)
0800 440 904 (New Zealand toll-free)
+61 2 5565 2217 (International)

Email: icasassessments@janison.com

Or submit your enquiry here.

Question 16

What is the locked-down browser application (LDB)?

Accepted Answer

The locked-down browser app (called Janison Replay) is designed to prevent your child from accessing other applications such as web pages, cameras, spell checks, screenshotting, keyword shortcuts, and other features during the live assessment. For more information, check out our locked-down browser page.

Question 17

Which subjects require the locked-down browser application (LDB)?

Accepted Answer

Spelling Bee and Writing require the locked-down browser application.

Question 18

What is the technical readiness test?

Accepted Answer

This is an online test (similar to internet speed tests) that assesses whether your devices meet the necessary technical requirements. You can find more information on our technical requirements page.

Question 19

I entered my child’s name and/or date of birth incorrectly when registering. How do I update this?

Accepted Answer

Please reach out to your child's teacher to amend the details.

Question 20

How do I get my child’s device ready?

Accepted Answer

Please follow the Technical Readiness Test to ensure your child's device is ready for ICAS.

Question 21

What accessories are required for Spelling Bee?

Accepted Answer

Students need headphones and/or earphones to complete Spelling Bee.

Question 22

What happens if there is an issue with my child's computer?

Accepted Answer

The supervising teacher will provide extra exam time to children that experience issues on test day.

Question 23

How do I prepare my child for testing? Are there any sample or practice tests?

Accepted Answer

You can visit our ICAS practice tools page for information on how to prepare. This page includes past papers, more information on our exam practice tool RiSE+, and support videos to give your child an idea of what it feels like to sit an ICAS test.

Question 24

What kind of questions are in ICAS?

Accepted Answer

You can learn the different type of question types in ICAS in this video.

Question 25

How do I access the assessments portal?

Accepted Answer

Please visit https://icas.site/start to access the assessments portal. When using an iPad to access the locked-down browser, please visit https://icasassessments.janisoninsights.com

Question 26

How are the assessments kept secure?

Accepted Answer

Every child is provided with their own unique one-time code to access their test. This is combined with a unique test session code that is created by the teacher on the day of the test. Children can only access the test once the teacher has started the test session, and the teacher monitors them during the assessment using the Supervise Live Test feature in the Assessments Portal.

Question 27

My child was sick during the testing window. Can they complete it another week?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, your child can only complete ICAS in the specific sitting window for their subject, unless advised otherwise.

Question 28

My child has a disability, what support do you offer?

Accepted Answer

To learn about the support available to you, please complete the Accessibility Options Request form. A customer service representative will contact you directly.

Question 29

How are scores, rankings or percentiles determined?

Accepted Answer

Award boundaries for tests are only approximate, so distribution of students by percentage may not precisely match with the available scores. For example, a maths test with 40 questions might have 0.8% of students with a score of 35 or higher, and 2% of students at a score of 34 or higher. In this case that would cover the top 1% of students would be 34.

Question 30

How long do ICAS exams go for?

Accepted Answer

The length of ICAS exams changes depending on children's year level and subject they are sitting. The exact duration of the exams can be found on the Test Supervision Instructions on the ICAS support page.

Question 31

Is there an alternate sitting window?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, we do not offer an alternative sitting windows at this point.

Question 32

My child has a Chromebook, can they sit the test?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Chromebooks must be running as Managed Devices in Kiosk mode, which allows the locked-down browser application to run correctly. Your child's teacher can help them to get everything set up and ready.

Question 33

I purchased the wrong test. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

Please contact our customer service team:

1800 931 775 (Australia toll-free)
0800 440 904 (New Zealand toll-free)
+61 2 5565 2217 (International)

Email: icasassessments@janison.com

Question 34

What if my child becomes ill or has an emergency during the exam?

Accepted Answer

If your child needs to stop the exam, their teacher will postpone the test. When they return, they will be able to use the same one time code and complete the test on another day.

Question 35

Can my child complete the exam from home?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately not, ICAS exams needs to be sat at your child's registered school.

Question 36

Can my child use rough paper for working things out during the test?

Accepted Answer

Working out paper is approved for use following the rules of the assessment, but this is ultimately up to the supervising teacher.

Question 37

What stationery is allowed during an ICAS test?

Accepted Answer

Your child is allowed blank paper, and pencils / pens for working out. They are not allowed dictionaries, mobile phones, or any other electronic devices.

Question 38

How can my child access their results online?

Accepted Answer

You can access your child's results online via our Results portal using your TAP-ID and PIN approximately 15 business days after the final sitting day of each ICAS subject. You can also follow the ICAS parents/students guide which provides a detailed explanation on how to view results.

Question 39

When are ICAS results released?

Accepted Answer

Results are released online to schools approximately 8 to 10 business days after the final sitting day of each ICAS subject.

Question 40

Will I be notified about the results?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you will receive an email to advise that your child's results are ready to view online. Your child's school will also notify you when your certificate is available.

Question 41

Will my child receive hardcopy results and certificates for ICAS?

Accepted Answer

We no longer send printed certificates to schools.

However, you can choose to print your child’s certificate at home, or your school may decide to print them.

Question 42

What is the criteria for awarding a medal?

Accepted Answer

The criteria for winning a medal is based on the top score in the locale, the top score for each year level, and the top score for each subject.

Learn more about ICAS grading here.

Question 43

What is the process for re-evaluation?

Accepted Answer

Please contact our customer service team:

1800 931 775 (Australia toll-free)
0800 440 904 (New Zealand toll-free)
+61 2 5565 2217 (International)

Email: icasassessments@janison.com

Question 44

Where can I find my child’s TAP ID and PIN?

Accepted Answer

If your child has sat ICAS previously at the same school as this year, you can find their TAP-ID and PIN on the back of previous year certificates.

If this is the first time your child has sat ICAS, you can your TAP-ID and PIN via this form, or wait until you receive your printed certificate, which will have it on the back.

Question 45

I have lost my child’s ICAS certificate. How can I get a replacement?

Accepted Answer

Please contact our customer service team:

1800 931 775 (Australia toll-free)
0800 440 904 (New Zealand toll-free)
+61 2 5565 2217 (International)

Email: icasassessments@janison.com

Question 46

Can I access the questions in my child’s ICAS test?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, we do not provide access to the questions for our assessments. You are able to find a detail overview of the questions for each subject in the results portal.

Question 47

Do you offer refunds?

Accepted Answer

You can find our refund policy and how to request refunds here.

Question 48

How do I lodge a complaint or provide feedback?

Accepted Answer

We send surveys to both schools and parents after each event. If you would like to provide feedback, these surveys are the best way to do so. Alternatively, please call or email our customer service team.

Question 49

What are the award bands for an ICAS test?

Accepted Answer

Please see the table below for the awards bands for an ICAS test.

ICAS awards	Percentile categories for awards
High Distinction	The top 1% of participants
Distinction	The next 10% of participants
Credit	The next 25% of participants
Merit	The next 10% of participants
Participation	All remaining participants

Question 50

How much does it cost to get an ICAS medal reissued?

Accepted Answer

The cost to get an ICAS medal reissued is $200 (excluding GST) + courier fee.

To get an ICAS medal reissued please contact customer service here.

ICAS FAQs for parents and children

Paying

Setting up

Sitting the test

Accessing the results

Need further support?