How Many Questions Are on the NSW Selective Test?
How many questions are on the NSW selective test? On the NSW Department of Education practice-test structure used for the Selective High School Placement Test, the counts are:
- Reading — 17 questions in 45 minutes (three of those questions have multiple parts to answer)
- Mathematical Reasoning — 35 multiple-choice questions in 40 minutes
- Thinking Skills — 40 multiple-choice questions in 40 minutes
- Writing — 1 typed open-response task in 30 minutes
Each section is weighted equally at 25%. Always confirm the live table on the official NSW selective practice tests page.
Why Reading looks like “17” but feels longer
Parents sometimes count answer clicks and get a higher number than 17. That is expected: three Reading items are multi-part, so students complete more discrete answers than the stem count suggests. When you practise, use official samples first so multi-part navigation is familiar on screen.
Pacing at a glance
| Section | Questions | Time | Rough pace |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | 17 (multi-part) | 45 min | Passage-first; do not stall on one part |
| Mathematical Reasoning | 35 | 40 min | ~1 min/question; calculator-free |
| Thinking Skills | 40 | 40 min | ~1 min/question; skip and return |
| Writing | 1 task | 30 min | Plan briefly, then type |
Full day length (breaks included): NSW selective & OC test length. Computer format: CBT guide. Writing tips: writing section.
OC question counts (related, not the same exam)
Opportunity Class uses three multiple-choice sections and no writing. Do not reuse selective question totals for OC — see OC vs selective and the OC guide.
Practise the real counts under time
Start with official NSW samples, then timed mocks that match section sizes. EduSpark offers 1 free paper per subject for NSW libraries — free practice papers, NSW practice papers hub, or Thinking Skills / Mathematical Reasoning / Reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions are on the NSW selective test?▾
Per the NSW DoE practice-test structure: Reading 17 questions (some multi-part) in 45 minutes; Mathematical Reasoning 35 in 40; Thinking Skills 40 in 40; Writing 1 task in 30. Each section is 25%.
Why does Reading show 17 questions but more answers?▾
Three Reading questions have multiple parts, so students complete more discrete answers than the stem count suggests.
Are OC question counts the same as selective?▾
No. Opportunity Class has three multiple-choice sections and no writing. Use OC materials for OC, not selective totals.
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