NSW Selective Exam Preparation: all four tests, taught one-to-one
The NSW Selective High School Placement Test is sat in Year 6 for entry to Year 7. It has four equally weighted tests — Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, Thinking Skills and Writing. Here is what is on it, how to prepare, and how our live online Selective test tutoring works.
What is the NSW Selective test?
The Selective High School Placement Test is run by the NSW Department of Education. Your child sits it in Year 6, and the result is used to offer places at fully and partially selective high schools from Year 7. It is taken on a computer provided by the Department, at a test centre in NSW — from 2026 the placement tests are held only in NSW. Calculators are not allowed.
| Test | Questions | Time | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | 17 (3 have several parts; 38 answers in all) | 45 min | 25% |
| Mathematical Reasoning | 35 | 40 min | 25% |
| Thinking Skills | 40 | 40 min | 25% |
| Writing | 1 task | 30 min | 25% |
Reading, Mathematical Reasoning and Thinking Skills are multiple choice, with no penalty for a wrong answer — so every question should be answered. Writing is one open task, marked on the creativity of the ideas and how well the writing suits its purpose and audience, as well as structure, grammar, punctuation, style and vocabulary. From the 2027 intake the Department offers an equal number of places to girls and boys; entry is still decided by test performance.
Selective test key dates
For entry in 2027, applications were open from 6 November 2025 to 20 February 2026. The Selective test was held on 1–2 May 2026 and the OC test on 8–9 May 2026, with a make-up test on 22 May 2026 for approved illness or misadventure. The NSW Department of Education publishes the dates for each new cycle; if the usual pattern holds, applications for 2028 entry open around November 2026 for tests in May 2027. Always check the Department’s key dates before you plan.
Our guide to key dates and how to apply explains the online application and the mistakes that cost families a place before the test.
How to prepare for the Selective exam
Thinking Skills (25%)
Logic, “must be true” reasoning, arguments and spatial puzzles — about a minute per question. It rewards method, not luck: see logical deduction, solved properly.
Mathematical Reasoning (25%)
Upper-primary maths applied to unfamiliar problems, without a calculator. Topics, worked examples and practice: OC & Selective maths preparation.
Reading (25%)
Fiction, non-fiction and poetry, plus multi-part questions such as gap-fill. Question types and practice: OC & Selective English preparation.
Writing (25%)
One task in 30 minutes. Plan for five, write for twenty, check for five — and get honest feedback on every piece. Prompts and a marking checklist are on the Selective practice test page.
A simple plan for the year before the test
- Term 4 (Year 5): find the gaps. A diagnostic class, then untimed Thinking Skills and Mathematical Reasoning methods.
- Terms 1–2 (Year 6): one writing piece a week with feedback; reading a wide range of texts, including poetry; mixed practice by topic.
- The last 8 weeks: timed sections on a screen, a “wrong-answer book”, and two or three full mock tests — with the review taking longer than the test.
Free Selective practice tests and resources
Selective mini mock test
Twelve Year 6 questions across Reading, Mathematical Reasoning and Thinking Skills, marked instantly: free Selective practice test.
Writing prompts and checklist
Three prompts and a checklist built on the published marking areas: Selective writing practice.
Official practice tests
The Department’s computer-based practice tests match the real test screen. Open the official Selective practice tests.
Younger child?
The OC test comes first, in Year 4: OC exam preparation and the free OC practice test.
How Mathkari helps with Selective test preparation
- Live and one-to-one. A real teacher and your child on a shared online whiteboard — no recorded videos.
- All four tests. Thinking Skills methods, Mathematical Reasoning without a calculator, reading question types, and weekly writing with written feedback.
- Practice on a screen. The test is sat on a computer, so timed practice happens on a computer too.
- In Australian time. After school on weekdays or on weekend mornings; you book in your own time zone.
Book a free Selective test demo class
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What parents say
“I am extremely happy and satisfied with MathKari's teaching style. My kids are able to understand all the concepts thoroughly in both Maths and English. The teachers are highly experienced, supportive, and truly excellent at what they do.”
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Questions parents ask
When is the Selective test?
In May of Year 6. For 2027 entry it was held on 1–2 May 2026. Applications usually open in November and close in February; the NSW Department of Education publishes the exact dates each year.
What is in the Selective test?
Four tests, sat on computer: Reading (45 minutes), Mathematical Reasoning (40 minutes), Thinking Skills (40 minutes) and Writing (30 minutes). Each is worth 25% of the result.
When should Selective exam preparation start?
Many families start in Term 4 of Year 5, about six months before the May test, with one or two classes a week. Writing takes longest to improve, so start it early.
Where can my child do a Selective practice test?
Try our free Selective mini mock test at /australia/selective-practice-tests/, and the Department’s official computer-based practice tests, which match the real test screen.
Do you mark writing?
Yes. Every writing piece gets written feedback on ideas, structure, sentences, vocabulary and accuracy — the same areas the Selective writing test is marked on.
How does the demo class work?
Pick a time in your Australian time zone. A teacher spends about 45 minutes one-to-one with your child on a few test-style questions, then shares what they noticed and a suggested plan. There is no obligation.
What does “OCSC” mean?
Some families use “OCSC” as shorthand for the NSW OC (Opportunity Class) and Selective tests together. They are two separate tests run by the NSW Department of Education: the OC test in Year 4 for Year 5 entry, and the Selective High School test in Year 6 for Year 7 entry.
Is Mathkari affiliated with the NSW Department of Education?
No. Mathkari Concepts is an independent tutoring provider. Facts about the tests on this page come from the Department’s published information, and every practice question here is our own original material.
Sources
- Selective high schools and opportunity classes: placement test (NSW Department of Education)
- Get ready for the Opportunity Class Placement Test (NSW Department of Education)
- Get ready for the Selective High School Placement Test (NSW Department of Education)
- Opportunity class practice tests (NSW Department of Education)
- Selective high school practice tests (NSW Department of Education)
- Applications to open for 2027 selective school entry (NSW Government, ministerial release)
Mathkari Concepts is an independent tutoring provider and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NSW Department of Education. All practice questions on this page are original Mathkari material.
Free Selective practice papers to try now
Every paper is attempted online and marked the moment you finish — nothing to download. The first three questions are open to everyone.
- Selective Practice Mock 1 — Mathematical Reasoning (Year 5, early preparation)Year 5 · 35 questions · 40 min · free, marked instantly
- Selective Practice Mock 1 — Reading (Year 5, early preparation)Year 5 · 38 questions · 45 min · free, marked instantly
- Selective Practice Mock 1 — Thinking Skills (Year 5, early preparation)Year 5 · 40 questions · 40 min · free, marked instantly
- OC Practice Mock 1 — Mathematical Reasoning (Year 3, early preparation)Year 3 · 35 questions · 40 min · free, marked instantly
- OC Practice Mock 1 — Reading (Year 3, early preparation)Year 3 · 23 questions · 40 min · free, marked instantly
- OC Practice Mock 1 — Thinking Skills (Year 3, early preparation)Year 3 · 30 questions · 30 min · free, marked instantly