ICAS results: our process and timeframes

If your child has participated in ICAS this year, we know how eager you must be to access their results.

In this blog, we explore what needs to happen for ICAS results to reach you each year, including average wait times so that you know when to expect them.

Here is the process in full:

1. We process the results and send them to schools 

Timeframe for this step: 8 – 10 business days (or 4-5 weeks for Writing).

When the tests are complete for each subject, our system automatically marks them. In addition, our Analysing and Reporting team completes a series of important checks to ensure the integrity of the results. Once the reports are created from this data, we then re-check them.

As you can imagine, there are thousands of tests to go through every year, so this takes time: usually around 10 business days after the final sitting day for each subject. The exception is our Writing tests, which are all manually graded by teachers and then validated against each other. This takes around 4-5 weeks.

When the results are ready for each subject, we email your child’s school to let them know..

2. We tell parents and students that the results are available

Timeframe: 5 business days after the results are released to schools. 

We will notify you that your child’s results are ready via an email, and this email will contain your child’s TAP-ID and PIN for accessing results in the Results portal. 

If you can’t find this email, you can get your TAP-ID and PIN in one of the following ways: 

• Find your TAP-ID and PIN on the back of a previous year’s ICAS certificate. Note, your child’s TAP-ID and PIN could have changed if they’ve moved schools.​ 
• You can request your TAP-ID and PIN using this form. We aim to respond to your request within 10 business days. 

• Find your TAP-ID and PIN on the back of this year’s ICAS certificate, which will be sent to your child’s school approximately 4 weeks after the final sitting day for each subject (except Writing which is 7-9 weeks). Your school will provide this to you at their discretion.

3. We print ICAS certificates and send them to schools

Timeframe for this step: 14 business days

When the ICAS results are ready for each subject, we notify our printer to create the certificates. They print them in batches, quality-check them, and then mail them to each school. This takes around 14 business days – there are lots of certificates and schools – so your school can expect to receive certificates approximately 4 weeks after the final sitting day for each subject (except Writing which is a bit longer)

At the same time, we also analyse the top results for students to identify medal winners for the year. We then request the medals from our manufacturer. Once received, we individually mail them to schools.

4. Your child receives their ICAS certificate

Timeframe for this step: At your school’s discretion.

When schools receive the ICAS certificates, they organise them and hand them out to students, typically in celebratory assemblies (which is wonderful!). This can take some time to plan, and as hardworking people, they will appreciate your patience with this.

When you receive your child’s certificate, you can access their results here using the TAP-ID and PIN on the back.

For medal-winning students, schools may choose to contact parents individually. These are usually handed out in the same assembly as the certificates.

*Important note: While we will be doing our best to achieve these timings, we hope you understand that there may be some unforeseen delays that may impact the release of results, TAP-IDs, PINS, certificate or medals. In this instance we will keep schools and parents informed via email.

Timeframes by subject

That’s an overview of our process! We hope it has given you an idea of what goes on behind the scenes to deliver your child’s ICAS results.