Aptitude tests

Monash University decided in early 2006 to begin using aptitude tests as an additional entry pathway into its courses, or as an additional selection criterion alongside the ATAR in entry decisions.

Our intention in using aptitude tests for entry is to identify applicants with the ability to succeed at university, who may have been prevented from showing this ability in their previous education, or who do not have any recent educational qualifications that can be considered.

At present Monash University uses the following aptitude tests for entry.

• Special Tertiary Admissions Test - STAT
• Undergraduate Medicine Admissions Test - UMAT
• General Achievement Test - GAT

Special Tertiary Admissions Test - STAT

Applicants are able to meet the minimum academic requirements for selection for a number of Information Technology and the Nursing course (at Gippsland) with the completion of the STAT multiple choice test. The STAT multiple choice is administered by VTAC. It is designed to test a range of competencies commonly considered important for success in tertiary study.

Please note that meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee entry to a course as there may be fewer places available in a course than the number of applications received.

Applicants must also meet the Monash University English language requirements and meet specific course requirements as listed in the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre VTAC Guide and Monash Course Finder.

Applicants for the courses listed below must only sit the STAT if:

• they have no school, TAFE or university results that can be considered for entry (only Information Technology courses and the Nursing course at Gippsland will consider applicants on this basis); or
• they have TAFE or other tertiary qualifications with ungraded assessment and no other basis for entry; or
• they have VCAL or other secondary study with ungraded assessment but no other basis for entry.

Note: Ungraded assessment means assessment with pass/fail results rather than grades.

You do not need to sit the test if you:

• have gained VCE or an equivalent Year 12 qualification; or
• have gained a VET or TAFE certificate or diploma with graded assessment at level IV or above; or
• have passed two or more university subjects with graded assessment.

The courses which will consider applicants' STAT results are as follows:

Courses that use the STAT for special entry

Courses that use STAT only where applicants have ungraded assessment

Applying to sit the STAT

For more information on applying to sit the STAT visit the VTAC admission tests website. Please consult the VTAC Guide for more information on STAT requirements for specific Monash courses.

Undergraduate Medicine Admissions Test - UMAT

The UMAT is used to assist in the selection of students into medicine and some health science degree programs at undergraduate level. Australian citizens, permanent residents and New Zealand citizens applying for the following undergraduate courses must complete the UMAT:

• Medicine/Surgery
• Physiotherapy

The UMAT is administered by the Australian Council for Educational Research and applicants can register online for a place in the test session (which is usually held in July each year). Applicants who wish to gain entry in the above courses must complete the test in July of the year in which they are submitting their information.

Please visit the ACER UMAT website for more information, test registration and details.

General Achievement Test - GAT

Since 2008, Monash University has given consideration to applicants' results in the General Achievement Test (GAT) for selection to courses.

All Monash courses selecting primarily on the basis of ATAR give consideration to applicants' GAT results for those with ATAR scores in the middle-band. This consideration has been extended to all such applicants unless limited by the course's current middle-band process (ie, some courses may have a middle-band process for SEAS applicants only).

Applicants to Monash University courses through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) have the opportunity, as part of their online application, to authorise VTAC to obtain their GAT results from the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority. VTAC applicants are advised to give this authorisation, as it may slightly increase their chances of selection, and cannot disadvantage them.

The consideration for a good GAT score will take the form of a bonus of up to nine points added to applicants’ VCE aggregate score for the purposes of selection. Where the bonus is applied, it will result in a slightly higher ranking, and some applicants may receive a course offer as a result.

If you have questions about our use of the GAT in selection, please view the ask.Monash FAQs. If your question is not answered there, you will have the opportunity to submit an online question.

uniTEST

Monash University piloted the use of uniTEST for special entry to courses at the Berwick campus in 2007, for applicants from schools that were under-represented in tertiary education. With the introduction of middle band consideration for applicants' GAT results (see above), the uniTEST pilot has been discontinued. As all VCE students have the opportunity to sit the GAT, it can be more easily used in selection, with no additional cost for applicants.