ACER Selective Entry Sample Questions — What to Expect in 2026

If your child is preparing for Victoria’s selective entry exam, you have almost certainly come across ACER selective entry sample questions. These official practice materials are many families’ first point of reference — and for good reason. They come directly from the organisation that creates the exam. But what exactly do these sample questions cover, how useful are they on their own, and what else should your child be doing to prepare? This guide breaks it all down.

What Is ACER and Why Do They Create the Test?

The Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) is an independent educational research organisation that has been developing assessments for Australian schools and universities for decades. The Victorian Department of Education contracts ACER to design, administer, and score the selective entry exam each year. This means ACER is responsible for everything from writing the questions to determining how results are scaled and reported.

Because ACER creates the actual exam, any sample questions they publish carry significant weight. They represent the closest possible approximation of what students will encounter on test day — in terms of question style, difficulty level, and the type of thinking required. This is why ACER selective entry sample questions should be the starting point for any serious preparation plan.

What ACER Sample Questions Are Available

ACER provides a limited set of official sample questions through their preparation page. These materials are designed to give students a sense of the ACER exam format and the kinds of questions they will face. The samples typically cover each of the exam’s core components:

• Mathematics — sample questions covering arithmetic, algebra, geometry, measurement, and problem solving at a Year 7 to 8 level
• Numerical Reasoning — examples of number pattern recognition, data interpretation, and logical reasoning with numerical information
• Verbal Reasoning — samples demonstrating analogies, odd-one-out questions, word relationships, and logical deduction with language
• Reading Comprehension — short passages followed by multiple-choice questions that test inference, vocabulary in context, and understanding of author’s purpose
• Written Expression — guidance on the type of writing prompt students may receive and what assessors look for in a strong response

The sample materials generally include a handful of questions per section rather than a full-length ACER practice test. They serve as an introduction to the question types rather than a comprehensive practice resource.

What the Official Sample Questions Look Like

Each section of the ACER sample questions has its own character. Here is what parents and students should expect when reviewing the official materials.

In mathematics, the sample questions go beyond straightforward computation. Students may be asked to interpret a word problem that requires multiple steps, select the correct geometric property, or apply algebraic thinking to an unfamiliar scenario. The emphasis is on applying knowledge rather than recalling formulas.

The numerical reasoning samples introduce question types that many students will not have seen in school. These include number matrices where students must identify the rule governing rows and columns, sequence patterns that go beyond simple addition or multiplication, and data-based problems that test logical deduction rather than calculation skill.

For verbal reasoning, the official samples demonstrate the range of language-based logic questions ACER uses. Analogies require students to identify the precise relationship between a pair of words. Odd-one-out questions test whether a student can distinguish subtle differences in meaning or category. Code-based questions ask students to decipher patterns in encoded language.

The reading comprehension samples present passages of varying length and complexity. Students practise locating information, making inferences, and identifying the author’s intent. The passages may be literary, informational, or persuasive in nature.

For written expression, ACER provides example prompts and general marking criteria. Students learn that they will need to produce a well-structured piece of writing under time pressure, with marks awarded for ideas, organisation, language use, and accuracy.

How to Use ACER Sample Questions Effectively

Simply reading through the ACER selective entry sample questions is not enough. To get the most value from these official materials, students should approach them strategically:

• Complete them under timed conditions. Even though the sample set is small, doing the questions within a realistic time frame helps students experience the pace of the actual exam. This is more valuable than working through them casually.
• Analyse the question styles. Pay close attention to how ACER frames its questions. Notice how answer options are designed to catch common mistakes. Understanding the question design is just as important as getting the right answer.
• Identify unfamiliar question types. If your child encounters a question format they have never seen before — particularly in numerical or verbal reasoning — that is a clear signal to seek additional practice in that area.
• Review every incorrect answer. For each mistake, work through the correct reasoning step by step. Understanding why an answer is wrong is often more instructive than getting it right in the first place.
• Use them as a diagnostic baseline. Complete the ACER samples early in the preparation process to identify strengths and weaknesses. Then revisit them closer to exam day to measure improvement.

Why ACER Samples Alone Are Not Enough

While the official ACER selective entry sample questions are essential reading, they have one significant limitation: there simply are not enough of them. ACER provides only a small number of example questions per section — far fewer than what a student needs to build the speed, accuracy, and confidence required for the real exam.

The selective entry exam is intensely competitive. Thousands of students sit the test each year for a limited number of places. Students who perform well are typically those who have completed dozens of full-length selective entry practice questions across every section, under timed conditions, over a period of months. A handful of sample questions cannot replicate that level of preparation.

Additionally, the ACER samples do not come with the detailed explanations and performance tracking that structured practice platforms provide. Without understanding the reasoning behind each answer, students may repeat the same mistakes without realising it.

How EduSpark Complements ACER’s Official Sample Questions

This is where dedicated practice platforms make a real difference. EduSpark offers over 9,500 selective entry practice questions across all five sections of the exam, designed to mirror the ACER exam format in style, difficulty, and time constraints. Where ACER provides a snapshot, EduSpark provides the full picture.

Every EduSpark practice paper can be completed under timed conditions that match the real exam, helping students build the pacing skills that are so critical on test day. After completing each paper, students receive instant auto-correction along with detailed explanations for every question. This means no answer goes unexplained — students can immediately understand where they went wrong and learn the correct approach.

EduSpark covers all the key areas tested in the selective entry exam:

• Mathematics — hundreds of questions spanning arithmetic, algebra, geometry, measurement, and multi-step problem solving
• Numerical Reasoning — extensive practice with number patterns, data interpretation, and logical reasoning question types
• Verbal Reasoning — comprehensive coverage of analogies, word relationships, codes, and deductive reasoning
• Reading Comprehension — practice passages across literary, informational, and persuasive text types with inference and analysis questions

The combination of high-volume practice, realistic exam conditions, and thorough explanations makes EduSpark an ideal companion to the official ACER materials. Students can start with ACER’s sample questions to understand the format, then use EduSpark to build the depth of practice needed to perform at their best.

Where to Find ACER Selective Entry Sample Questions

ACER publishes its official sample questions and preparation advice on the dedicated selective entry preparation page at selectiveentry.acer.org/vic/prepare. This page includes downloadable sample questions, information about what to expect on exam day, and general guidance for students and parents. It is worth bookmarking this page and checking it periodically, as ACER occasionally updates the materials or adds new information as the exam date approaches.

For the broader exam details including application timelines and school preferences, the Department of Education Victoria website remains the authoritative source. For a complete breakdown of the exam structure, see our guide to the Selective Entry Exam Format for 2026.

Start Practising with Confidence

The official ACER selective entry sample questions are an important first step, but they are just that — a first step. To give your child the best chance of success, they need access to a large bank of realistic selective entry practice questions that they can work through systematically under exam conditions.

EduSpark provides exactly that: thousands of exam-style questions with timed practice, instant feedback, and detailed explanations across every section of the test. Create your free EduSpark account today and turn your child’s preparation into real results.