PAT Grammar and Punctuation 2nd Edition is coming in January 2027, with updated content and reporting designed for today’s Australian classrooms.
The following topics are covered in this article:
What’s new?
Contemporary content
PAT Grammar and Punctuation 2nd Edition reflects present-day Australian English, with contemporary and age-appropriate assessment contexts.
Alignment with Australian Curriculum Version 9.0
The updated assessment has been developed with reference to the Australian Curriculum Version 9.0 supporting assessment of grammar and punctuation skills relevant to today’s classrooms.
New range of assessment item (question) formats
Students will encounter a range of online item formats, including multiple-choice, hotspot and drop-down items.
Updated reporting: Supported by updated reference groups, reporting will be available through the ACER Data Explorer.
Current customers of PAT Grammar and Punctuation
Current PAT Grammar and Punctuation customers will automatically transition to PAT Grammar and Punctuation 2nd Edition in January 2027.
The current edition will be replaced with the 2nd Edition, so existing customers do not need to purchase or activate the new assessment.
What this means for schools
- In January 2027 PAT Grammar and Punctuation will be retired and replaced by PAT Grammar and Punctuation 2nd Edition.
- All unstarted PAT Grammar and Punctuation 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 Grammar and Punctuation will be swapped over to PAT Grammar and Punctuation 2nd Edition - you don't need to take any action to begin using the new edition.
- Schools will continue to assess students' grammar and punctuation skills, supported by updated Australian reference groups.
- Updated reporting will be available in the ACER Data Explorer
- Existing PAT scale scores will continue to provide a common measure of achievement, supporting the interpretation of student growth over time.
When will it be available?
PAT Grammar and Punctuation 2nd Edition will be available from January 2027.
ACER will provide further information and support resources closer to release.