Selective Practice Tests 2027 — Free Online Mock Tests & Study Guide
Looking for Selective practice tests? Every test on this page is free, follows the format of the NSW Selective High School Placement Test, and is attempted online — marked the moment your child finishes, with the correct answers shown. The study guide underneath covers the four sections, the dates and how to prepare.
In the last round 16,487 children sat the Selective test for 4,338 Year 7 places. The Year 5 papers suit children in Year 5 or early Year 6; the Year 6 papers are closest to the real test level.
Year 5
Selective Practice Mock 1 — Mathematical Reasoning (Year 5, early preparation)
Selective Practice Mock 1 — Reading (Year 5, early preparation)
Selective Practice Mock 1 — Thinking Skills (Year 5, early preparation)
Year 6
Selective Mock Test 1 — Mathematical Reasoning (Year 6)
Selective Mock Test 1 — Reading (Year 6)
Selective Mock Test 1 — Thinking Skills (Year 6)
NSW Selective study guide
What is in the Selective test
The Selective High School Placement Test is a computer-based test with four sections, each worth 25%: Reading (17 questions, three with multiple parts, 45 minutes), Mathematical Reasoning (35 questions, 40 minutes), Thinking Skills (40 questions, 40 minutes) and Writing (one task, 30 minutes, typed on the computer). It is sat in Year 6 for entry to Year 7.
Key dates for 2027 entry
Applications open in November 2026 and close in February 2027; the test is sat in May 2027 and placement outcomes are released from August, with a short appeals window afterwards. Confirm every date on the NSW Department of Education website.
What to study
Reading: literary and factual texts, poetry, inference, vocabulary in context and comparing points of view. Mathematical Reasoning: number and place value, fractions, decimals and percentages, ratio, patterns and algebraic thinking, measurement, geometry, data and probability, mostly as multi-step problems. Thinking Skills: deductive logic, identifying assumptions and flaws in reasoning, spatial and sequential puzzles. Writing: a planned, structured response to an unseen prompt — creativity and purpose matter, but a response off the topic scores low however well written.
How to use these practice tests
Sit each section under its real time limit, mark it, then spend as long on the review as on the test: every wrong answer should end with “I know why now”. Rotate the three multiple-choice sections week by week, and add one timed piece of writing a week — writing is the section parents most often leave until too late.
Is this the official practice test?
No. The Department publishes one official sample test, which you should also do. These are original Mathkari Concepts papers in the same format and timing.
Questions parents ask
What is in the Selective test?
Four sections, each worth 25%: Reading (17 questions, 45 minutes), Mathematical Reasoning (35 questions, 40 minutes), Thinking Skills (40 questions, 40 minutes) and a Writing task (30 minutes). Everything is done on a computer at a test centre.
Which year level should start with these papers?
The Year 5 papers suit children in Year 5 or early Year 6; the Year 6 papers are closest to the real test level. Children preparing a year early can start with the OC papers.
Do you mark the Writing task?
Not on these free pages — Writing needs a teacher. Our live one-to-one classes include marked writing practice every week.
Are the Selective practice tests really free?
Yes. The first three questions of each test are open to everyone; before the first full test on a device we send a one-time WhatsApp code to a parent, and after that every test opens straight away.
Want your child to practise with expert guidance?
Live one-to-one classes with a qualified teacher, in your time zone. The first lesson is a demo class.