What’s new for PAT in 2026?

This article covers the following topics:

• PAT Maths 5th Edition
• Updated Maths and Reading norms
• PAT Early Literacy
• New test security features
• Secondary Transition Editions (pen-and-paper)

PAT Maths 5th Edition

At the beginning of 2026, PAT Maths 5th Edition will replace the current PAT Maths 4th Edition. The updated linear assessment includes brand-new content and item types new to the maths linear assessment such as drag-and-drop and cloze.

What you need to know

• Do not assign PAT Maths 4th Edition tests to students if you intend to administer them in Term 1 2026. In January, all unstarted PAT Maths 4th Edition tests will be unassigned from students. Unfinished tests will be closed, and students won't be able to resume them.
• Existing licences and credits for PAT Maths 4th Edition will be swapped over to PAT Maths 5th Edition - you don't need to take any action to begin using the new edition.
• PAT Maths 5th Edition will be reportable in the ACER Data Explorer. See this article for more information about generating reports with the ACER Data Explorer.

Updated Maths and Reading norms

In January 2026, we will release updated Australian norms for PAT Maths and PAT Reading assessments, both adaptive and linear.

What you need to know

• The updated norms are based on tests completed by students across Australia in 2024 and can be used as a reference sample against which your students' achievement can be compared.
• The updated norms will appear in the online reports for PAT Maths and PAT Reading, replacing the previous 2019 norms for all reported tests, including tests completed before the norm update.
• Updated norms mean the percentile rankings reported for the same scale score achievement will change. Scale scores and achievement bands remain the best way to understand student achievement and to measure progress.

PAT Early Literacy

Thanks to the many fantastic schools, teachers and students that took part in trialling, PAT Early Literacy will be available mid-2026. You can read more about this assessment and sign up to be the first to know when it is available here: Reimagining early years assessment with storytelling and design

New test security features

From the start of Term 1, a number of PAT assessments will feature improved test security features. While PAT is low-pressure and low-stakes, these features are designed to support you by restricting undesirable actions during test-taking.

• No installation required – the features run directly in the browser across Windows, Mac, iPad and Chromebook.
• Full-screen browser window – test starts with the browser in full-screen mode to encourage full student focus on the test content
• Warnings – if the student attempts to exit full-screen mode or leave the browser window during the test, the system responds by blurring the test screen and displaying a warning to the student.

The following assessments will have these features applied from the beginning of Term1, 2026:

• PAT Maths 5th Edition (new in 2026)
• PAT Maths Adaptive
• PAT Reading 5th Edition
• PAT Reading Adaptive
• PAT Science 2nd Edition
• PAT Stem Contexts

Secondary Transition Editions (pen-and-paper)

In 2026, ACER will be launching pen-and-paper Secondary Transition Editions of PAT Maths, PAT Reading and AGAT.

Each of the three assessments comprise two pen-and-paper test forms intended to assess students as they transition into secondary school. These tests may be administered to incoming students by secondary schools in circumstances where online testing is impractical. Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) answer sheets will allow for results to be uploaded into your existing online assessment accounts, providing unified reporting alongside tests completed online.