⚠️ Disclaimer: calcATAR is not affiliated with SCSA, TISC, or any government body. Dates are sourced from the official SCSA 2026 examination timetable. Always confirm your personal exam schedule via the SCSA Student Portal.
📅 Practical exams: Saturday 26 September – Sunday 25 October 2026
📝 Written exams: Wednesday 28 October – Wednesday 18 November 2026
📘 First written exam: Aviation & Psychology — Wednesday 28 October, 9:20 AM
📊 WACE results released: Mid-December 2026 (exact date TBC by SCSA)
🎓 WA ATAR released: Sunday 20 December 2026 via TISC
📋 Personalised timetables: Available from Tuesday 8 September 2026 via SCSA Student Portal
🔗 Estimate your ATAR now: WACE ATAR Calculator
📖 Table of Contents
The 2026 WACE examination period is the final assessment stage for Year 12 students in Western Australia. Your written exam results contribute 50% of your final scaled score for each ATAR course — the other 50% comes from your school-based assessments. SCSA (School Curriculum and Standards Authority) runs the exams, and TISC (Tertiary Institutions Service Centre) uses your results to calculate your ATAR.
This timetable covers every ATAR course exam scheduled by SCSA for 2026 — including practical exams (September–October), interstate language exams, and the full written exam period (October–November). Whether you are sitting English, Maths Methods, Chemistry, or one of the 50+ other ATAR courses, your exam date, session time, and duration are listed below.
💡 Personalised timetables become available from Tuesday 8 September 2026 through the SCSA Student Portal. Your personalised timetable shows your specific exam dates, times, and examination centre. Check it as soon as it is released and flag any clashes with your school coordinator immediately.
How WACE Exams Work
The WACE examination system has two phases — practical exams first, then written exams. Here is how it fits together:
| Step | What Happens | When |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Practical Exams | Performance, oral, and production exams for subjects like Dance, Drama, Music, and Languages (oral component) | 26 Sep – 25 Oct 2026 |
| 2. Written Exams | Three-hour written exams for all ATAR courses. Each exam has 10 minutes reading time before writing begins. | 28 Oct – 18 Nov 2026 |
| 3. Marking & Scaling | SCSA marks exams, calculates scaled scores, and confirms WACE achievement | Nov – Dec 2026 |
| 4. Results & ATAR | SCSA releases WACE results. TISC calculates and releases ATARs. | Mid-Dec & 20 Dec 2026 |
⚠️ The 50/50 split matters. Your written exam is worth exactly 50% of your final scaled score in every ATAR course. The other 50% comes from your school assessments throughout the year. A strong exam performance can significantly lift a mediocre school mark — and vice versa. Learn how scaling affects your result at ATAR Scaling Explained.
2026 WACE Practical Exam Timetable
Practical exams run before the written exam period. They cover performance subjects (Dance, Drama, Music) and oral language exams. Your school will confirm your specific date and venue — the ranges below are the examination windows set by SCSA.
| Subject | Exam Window | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Dance | 26 Sep – 3 Oct | Sacred Heart College |
| Drama | 28 Sep – 3 Oct | Hale School + country venues |
| Music | 29 Sep – 4 Oct | Hale School |
| Aviation (Practical) | 1 October | 303 Sevenoaks St, Cannington |
| Language Orals (Chinese, French, German, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Punjabi, Tamil) | 10 – 25 Oct | Applecross SHS, Shenton College, Rossmoyne SHS (varies by language) |
| Interstate Languages | Sep – Oct | 303 Sevenoaks St, Cannington |
✅ Performance exam tip: Your personalised timetable (available from 8 September) will show your exact date, time slot, and venue. For Drama and Music, prepare your selected pieces well in advance — you cannot change your repertoire after the submission deadline.
2026 WACE Written Exam Timetable
All ATAR course written exams are 3 hours long with 10 minutes reading time before writing begins. Morning sessions start at 9:20 AM and afternoon sessions start at 2:00 PM. This timetable is sourced directly from the official SCSA 2026 examination schedule.
Interstate Language Exams (Before Main Period)
| Date | Day | Time | Subject | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday 15 October | ||||
| 15 Oct | Thu | 11:00 AM | Auslan, Bengali, Bosnian, Croatian, Dutch, Filipino, Hebrew, Hungarian, Karen, Khmer, Macedonian, Persian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Sinhala, Swedish, Turkish | 10 min reading + 2 hrs |
| 15 Oct | Thu | 11:00 AM | Japanese: Background Language, Chinese: Background Language | 10 min reading + 2.5 hrs |
| Tuesday 3 November | ||||
| 3 Nov | Tue | 11:00 AM | Modern Greek, Spanish | 10 min reading + 2 hrs |
| Wednesday 4 November | ||||
| 4 Nov | Wed | 8:45 AM | Vietnamese | 15 min reading + 2 hrs |
| Friday 6 November | ||||
| 6 Nov | Fri | 12:00 PM | Arabic | 15 min reading + 2 hrs |
Week 1 — Wednesday 28 October to Friday 30 October
| Date | Day | Time | Subject | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday 28 October | ||||
| 28 Oct | Wed | 9:20 AM | Aviation, Psychology | 3 hrs (+ 10 min reading) |
| 28 Oct | Wed | 2:00 PM | Engineering Studies, Indonesian: Second Language, Korean: Second Language | 3 hrs (+ 10 min reading) |
| Thursday 29 October | ||||
| 29 Oct | Thu | 9:20 AM | Agribusiness, Chemistry, Computer Science | 3 hrs (+ 10 min reading) |
| 29 Oct | Thu | 2:00 PM | German: Background Language, Ancient History | 3 hrs (+ 10 min reading) |
| Friday 30 October | ||||
| 30 Oct | Fri | 9:20 AM | English | 3 hrs (+ 10 min reading) |
| 30 Oct | Fri | 2:00 PM | English as an Additional Language or Dialect | 3 hrs (+ 10 min reading) |
Week 2 — Monday 2 November to Friday 6 November
| Date | Day | Time | Subject | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday 2 November | ||||
| 2 Nov | Mon | 9:20 AM | Agricultural Science & Technology, Mathematics Methods | 3 hrs (+ 10 min reading) |
| 2 Nov | Mon | 2:00 PM | Applied Information Technology, Chinese: Second Language | 3 hrs (+ 10 min reading) |
| Tuesday 3 November | ||||
| 3 Nov | Tue | 9:20 AM | Literature, Dance | 3 hrs (+ 10 min reading) |
| 3 Nov | Tue | 2:00 PM | German: Second Language, Media Production & Analysis | 3 hrs (+ 10 min reading) |
| Wednesday 4 November | ||||
| 4 Nov | Wed | 9:20 AM | Physics | 3 hrs (+ 10 min reading) |
| 4 Nov | Wed | 2:00 PM | Chinese: First Language, Indonesian: Background Language, Politics & Law | 3 hrs (+ 10 min reading) |
| Thursday 5 November | ||||
| 5 Nov | Thu | 9:20 AM | Human Biology, Drama | 3 hrs (+ 10 min reading) |
| 5 Nov | Thu | 2:00 PM | Outdoor Education | 3 hrs (+ 10 min reading) |
| Friday 6 November | ||||
| 6 Nov | Fri | 9:20 AM | Mathematics Applications | 3 hrs (+ 10 min reading) |
| 6 Nov | Fri | 2:00 PM | Japanese: Second Language, Materials Design & Technology | 3 hrs (+ 10 min reading) |
Week 3 — Monday 9 November to Friday 13 November
| Date | Day | Time | Subject | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday 9 November | ||||
| 9 Nov | Mon | 9:20 AM | Food Science & Technology, Mathematics Specialist, Biology | 3 hrs (+ 10 min reading) |
| 9 Nov | Mon | 2:00 PM | French: Background Language, Korean: Background Language | 3 hrs (+ 10 min reading) |
| Tuesday 10 November | ||||
| 10 Nov | Tue | 9:20 AM | Economics, Marine & Maritime Studies | 3 hrs (+ 10 min reading) |
| 10 Nov | Tue | 2:00 PM | Punjabi: Background Language, Visual Arts | 3 hrs (+ 10 min reading) |
| Wednesday 11 November | ||||
| 11 Nov | Wed | 9:20 AM | Business Management & Enterprise, Geography | 3 hrs (+ 10 min reading) |
| 11 Nov | Wed | 2:00 PM | Tamil: Background Language | 3 hrs (+ 10 min reading) |
| Thursday 12 November | ||||
| 12 Nov | Thu | 9:20 AM | Modern History, Physical Education Studies | 3 hrs (+ 10 min reading) |
| 12 Nov | Thu | 2:00 PM | Italian: Background Language | 3 hrs (+ 10 min reading) |
| Friday 13 November | ||||
| 13 Nov | Fri | 9:20 AM | Accounting & Finance, Earth & Environmental Science | 3 hrs (+ 10 min reading) |
| 13 Nov | Fri | 2:00 PM | Philosophy & Ethics, Religion & Life | 3 hrs (+ 10 min reading) |
Week 4 — Monday 16 November to Wednesday 18 November
| Date | Day | Time | Subject | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday 16 November | ||||
| 16 Nov | Mon | 9:20 AM | Health Studies, French: Second Language | 3 hrs (+ 10 min reading) |
| 16 Nov | Mon | 2:00 PM | Hindi: Background Language | 3 hrs (+ 10 min reading) |
| Tuesday 17 November | ||||
| 17 Nov | Tue | 9:20 AM | Design, Music | 3 hrs (+ 10 min reading) |
| Wednesday 18 November | ||||
| 18 Nov | Wed | 9:20 AM | Italian: Second Language | 3 hrs (+ 10 min reading) |
Popular Subjects: Quick Reference
If you are sitting one of the high-enrolment ATAR courses, here are your dates at a glance:
| Subject | Date | Day | Session |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 30 Oct | Friday | 9:20 AM |
| Mathematics Methods | 2 Nov | Monday | 9:20 AM |
| Mathematics Applications | 6 Nov | Friday | 9:20 AM |
| Mathematics Specialist | 9 Nov | Monday | 9:20 AM |
| Chemistry | 29 Oct | Thursday | 9:20 AM |
| Physics | 4 Nov | Wednesday | 9:20 AM |
| Human Biology | 5 Nov | Thursday | 9:20 AM |
| Biology | 9 Nov | Monday | 9:20 AM |
| Psychology | 28 Oct | Wednesday | 9:20 AM |
| Economics | 10 Nov | Tuesday | 9:20 AM |
| Modern History | 12 Nov | Thursday | 9:20 AM |
| Geography | 11 Nov | Wednesday | 9:20 AM |
| Physical Education Studies | 12 Nov | Thursday | 9:20 AM |
| Accounting & Finance | 13 Nov | Friday | 9:20 AM |
| Literature | 3 Nov | Tuesday | 9:20 AM |
| Computer Science | 29 Oct | Thursday | 9:20 AM |
ATAR Courses vs Non-ATAR Courses
Not every WACE course counts towards your ATAR. Understanding the difference is critical for Year 12 subject selection — and for knowing which exams you actually need to sit.
| Feature | ATAR Course | General Course | Foundation Course |
|---|---|---|---|
| External exam? | Yes — 50% of final score | No external exam | No external exam |
| Counts towards ATAR? | Yes | No | No |
| School assessment weight | 50% | 100% | 100% |
| University pathway | Direct entry via TISC | Alternative pathways only | Foundation/bridging courses |
| Scaling applied? | Yes — by TISC | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Examples | English, Maths Methods, Chemistry, Physics, Economics | English General, Maths Essential, Sport & Rec | English Foundation, Maths Foundation |
💡 To receive an ATAR in WA, you must complete at least four ATAR courses (which have external written exams). TISC uses your best four scaled scores to calculate your TEA (Tertiary Entrance Aggregate), which converts to your ATAR. If you are doing fewer than four ATAR courses, you will not receive an ATAR — but alternative university pathways still exist. See What is ATAR? for more details.
How Your WACE Results Become Your ATAR
WA has a unique ATAR calculation pathway compared to other states. Here is how your exam performance translates into a university rank:
| Step | What Happens | Who Does It |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Raw exam marks | Your written exam is marked by SCSA examiners and given a raw score | SCSA |
| 2. Combined score | Your exam mark (50%) is combined with your school assessment mark (50%) to produce a combined score for each subject | SCSA |
| 3. Scaling | Combined scores are scaled to account for differences in difficulty between subjects and cohorts | TISC |
| 4. TEA calculation | TISC adds your best four scaled scores (plus 10% of your next best score, if available) to produce your TEA (Tertiary Entrance Aggregate) | TISC |
| 5. ATAR conversion | Your TEA is converted to an ATAR — a national percentile rank from 0 to 99.95 | TISC |
✅ Your best four count most. TISC takes your best four scaled scores and adds 10% of your fifth-best (if you have one). This means a strong fifth subject can boost your ATAR by up to 10 points on the TEA scale. Use the WACE ATAR Calculator to see how different subject combinations affect your rank, and check Scaling Comparison Tool to understand how each subject scales.
⚠️ WA is different from other states. In Victoria and NSW, the ATAR body calculates everything in-house (VTAC and UAC respectively). In WA, SCSA handles the exams and school results, but TISC handles the scaling and ATAR calculation. This means you will log into two different portals to see your results — SCSA for your subject grades and TISC for your ATAR. Learn how the national calculation works at How is ATAR Calculated.
WACE Exam Rules & What to Bring
What You Must Bring
- Approved student identification — your SCSA Student Statement of Entry or school-issued photo ID
- Blue or black pens (at least two — no erasable pens)
- Pencils, eraser, and ruler
- SCSA-approved calculator (for applicable subjects) with memory cleared
- Clear water bottle with the label removed
What You Must NOT Bring
- Mobile phones, smartwatches, or any electronic devices (even if switched off)
- Notes, textbooks, or any reference materials (unless specified by SCSA for that subject)
- Correction fluid or correction tape
- Unapproved calculators or calculator covers/cases with notes
- Food (unless approved through special provisions)
🚫 Calculator policy: Only SCSA-approved calculators are permitted. Graphics calculators are allowed in Maths Methods, Maths Applications, and Maths Specialist (calculator-assumed sections only). Each maths exam has a calculator-free section and a calculator-assumed section — your calculator must be off and face-down during the calculator-free section. CAS (Computer Algebra System) calculators are not permitted in any WACE exam. Clear your calculator memory before every exam — supervisors may check.
💡 Reading time rules: You get 10 minutes of reading time before every written exam. During reading time you may read the exam paper and make notes on the paper, but you cannot begin writing in the answer booklet. Use this time to plan your approach — read every question, identify the high-mark questions, and decide your order of attack.
10 Tips for WACE Exam Preparation
1. Download Your Personalised Timetable on 8 September
The SCSA Student Portal releases your personalised exam schedule on 8 September 2026. Download it immediately, cross-check it against the official timetable above, and mark every date in your calendar or planner. If there is a clash or error, contact your school coordinator the same day — do not leave it until exam week.
2. Work Backwards From Your First Exam
Your first written exam could be as early as 28 October. Count backwards and allocate study blocks for each subject, weighting more time towards your weakest or highest-scaling subjects. A 6-week study plan starting in mid-September gives you two focused passes through each subject.
3. Do Every Available Past Exam Paper
SCSA publishes past WACE exam papers with marking keys on their website. Do at least three years of past papers for each subject under timed conditions. The marking keys show exactly what examiners award marks for — study them as closely as you study the questions.
4. Master the Calculator-Free Section in Maths
Maths Methods, Maths Applications, and Maths Specialist all have a calculator-free section. This is where many students lose easy marks. Practise mental arithmetic, algebraic manipulation, and sketch graphs by hand until they are automatic. The calculator-free section is worth a significant chunk of your total exam mark.
5. Use Reading Time Strategically
You get 10 minutes of reading time before writing begins. Use it to read every question, circle the high-mark questions, identify which ones you will answer first, and mentally plan essay structures. Students who use reading time well consistently outperform those who dive straight in.
6. Plan for Back-to-Back Exams
Some days have both a 9:20 AM and 2:00 PM session. If you have two exams on the same day, prepare for both the night before. Pack everything you need (pens, calculator, ID) the night before and bring food and water for the gap between sessions. Do not try to cram between exams — rest your brain.
7. Know Your Exam Centre Location
Your personalised timetable will show your examination centre. Visit it before exam week if you have not been there before. Plan your transport route, know where to park, and arrive at least 30 minutes early. Being late or lost is the most preventable source of exam stress.
8. Focus on Year 12 Content
WACE exams assess Unit 3 and Unit 4 content — the Year 12 syllabus. While some foundational Year 11 concepts are assumed, the exam questions are drawn from the Unit 3/4 syllabus. Prioritise those topics in your revision.
9. Check Your SCSA and TISC Logins Before Results Day
Before mid-December, log into both the SCSA Student Portal and TISC to confirm your passwords work. On results day the servers are under heavy load — you do not want to be resetting a password while everyone else is seeing their ATAR.
10. Estimate Your ATAR Before and After Exams
Use the WACE ATAR Calculator to estimate your ATAR from your expected subject results. Run best-case, likely, and worst-case scenarios. This helps you set realistic TISC preferences. For a quick ballpark, try the 30-Second ATAR Predictor. After exams, re-estimate based on how you think you performed — and adjust your preferences during the change-of-preference window.
What Happens After WACE Exams
Once your last written exam wraps up on 18 November, here is the timeline:
| Date | Event | What You Need to Do |
|---|---|---|
| 18 November 2026 | Last WACE written exam | Relax — you have earned it |
| Late November | TISC preference deadline approaching | Finalise your TISC course preferences (you can still change until the deadline) |
| Mid-December 2026 | WACE results released by SCSA | Log into the SCSA Student Portal to see your subject results and WACE achievement |
| Sunday 20 December 2026 | WA ATAR released by TISC | Log into your TISC account to see your ATAR and TEA |
| 20 Dec – late Jan | Change of preference window | Update your TISC preferences based on your actual ATAR |
| Late January 2027 | TISC Round 1 offers | Accept, defer, or wait for subsequent rounds |
| February 2027 | Subsequent TISC rounds | Additional offers — cutoffs often drop by 2–5 points in later rounds |
✅ Change of preference is your most strategic move. After you see your actual ATAR on 20 December, you can update your TISC preferences to target courses that match your real rank. I really suggest you have a shortlist ready in advance — one course above your expected ATAR, one right at it, and one safety below. Check ATAR requirements for courses to see real cutoffs by university.
💡 WA ATAR timing. Western Australia releases ATARs on Sunday 20 December 2026 — via TISC, not SCSA. Your WACE subject results from SCSA come out a few days earlier. For all state release dates, see ATAR Release Dates. To understand what makes a strong ATAR, check What is a Good ATAR Score.
Frequently Asked Questions
WACE practical exams run from Saturday 26 September to Sunday 25 October 2026. Written exams run from Wednesday 28 October to Wednesday 18 November 2026. The first written exam is Aviation and Psychology on 28 October at 9:20 AM. The last written exam is Italian: Second Language on 18 November.
The English ATAR written exam is on Friday 30 October 2026 at 9:20 AM. The exam is 3 hours long with 10 minutes reading time. English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D) is on the same day at 2:00 PM. Literature is on Tuesday 3 November at 9:20 AM.
Mathematics Methods is on Monday 2 November 2026 at 9:20 AM. The exam includes a calculator-free section and a calculator-assumed section. Mathematics Applications is on Friday 6 November and Mathematics Specialist is on Monday 9 November.
SCSA releases WACE subject results in mid-December 2026 (exact date TBC) through the SCSA Student Portal. Your ATAR is released separately by TISC on Sunday 20 December 2026. You need to log into two different portals — SCSA for subject results and TISC for your ATAR. For all state dates, see ATAR Release Dates.
The written exam is worth 50% of your final scaled score in every ATAR course. The other 50% comes from your school-based assessments throughout the year. General and Foundation courses do not have external exams — they are assessed 100% by the school. Learn how your score feeds into your ATAR at How is ATAR Calculated.
Only SCSA-approved calculators are permitted. Graphics calculators are allowed in the calculator-assumed sections of Maths Methods, Maths Applications, and Maths Specialist. CAS calculators are not permitted in any WACE exam. Your calculator must have its memory cleared before every exam — supervisors may check. During the calculator-free section, your calculator must be off and face-down on your desk.
All ATAR course written exams are 3 hours long with an additional 10 minutes of reading time before writing begins. During reading time you can read the paper and make notes on it, but you cannot write in your answer booklet. Interstate language exams vary — most are 2 to 2.5 hours with 10–15 minutes reading time.
If you miss an exam due to illness or misadventure, you must apply to SCSA for special provisions through your school. You will need supporting documentation — typically a medical certificate. SCSA may grant a derived score based on your school assessment marks and the exam performance of your school cohort. Contact your school’s exam coordinator immediately if you think you may miss an exam.
You need to complete at least four ATAR courses with external written exams to receive an ATAR. TISC uses your best four scaled scores — plus 10% of your fifth-best score if you have one — to calculate your TEA, which converts to your ATAR. Five or six ATAR courses is ideal because the fifth subject bonus can boost your rank. Estimate your ATAR with the WACE ATAR Calculator.
Personalised timetables are available from Tuesday 8 September 2026 through the SCSA Student Portal. Your personalised timetable shows your specific exam dates, times, and examination centre. Check it as soon as it is released and contact your school coordinator immediately if there is a clash or error.
Yes. TISC scales your combined scores to account for differences in difficulty between subjects. A lower raw mark in a harder subject (like Maths Specialist or Chemistry) may produce a higher scaled score than a higher mark in an easier subject. Learn how it works at ATAR Scaling Explained, and compare subjects with the Scaling Comparison Tool.
Yes — and you absolutely should. After ATARs are released on 20 December 2026, TISC opens a change of preference window that runs until late January 2027. This is your most strategic move. Check ATAR requirements for courses for real cutoffs and adjust your preferences to match your actual rank.
SCSA (School Curriculum and Standards Authority) runs the WACE exams, marks them, and provides your subject results and WACE certificate. TISC (Tertiary Institutions Service Centre) takes those results, applies scaling, calculates your TEA and ATAR, and handles university applications. You need accounts with both — SCSA for your exam results and TISC for your ATAR and university preferences.
Yes. Use the free WACE ATAR Calculator to estimate your ATAR from your expected subject scores. Run different scenarios — best case, likely, and worst case — to set realistic TISC preferences. For a quick estimate, try the 30-Second ATAR Predictor.
Final Thoughts
The WACE exam period is a three-week sprint that determines half your final score in every ATAR course. The students who perform best are the ones who know their timetable cold, download their personalised schedule on 8 September, and walk into every session with no surprises about format, timing, or what they can bring.
I really suggest you bookmark this timetable, mark your personal exam dates in a calendar, and start working backwards from 28 October right now. Estimate your ATAR with the WACE ATAR Calculator to see where you stand, and use that number to set your TISC preferences strategically. After your ATAR drops on 20 December, the change of preference window is your most powerful tool — have your backup courses researched and ready.
Good luck, Western Australia. You have got this.
— Daniel Mitchell, calcATAR
