Selective Test Practice for Year 6 Students

Selective test practice for Year 6 students is the standard NSW pathway: families apply around the end of Year 5 / start of Year 6, sit the Selective High School Placement Test in Year 6, and aim for Year 7 entry the following year.

This is not OC. Opportunity Class is sat in Year 4 for Years 5–6 placement — OC vs selective, can Year 5 sit OC.

What Year 6 students actually sit (NSW)

Four computer-based sections, each 25% of the placement score: Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, Thinking Skills, and Writing. Confirm current timings and sample structure on the NSW Department of Education practice pages each cycle — overview in how many questions and test length.

A Year 6-friendly practice rhythm

• Term time: roughly 4–8 hours/week total, homework first — fitting practice around homework.
• One timed block per week (a full section or full mock later in the year), then same-day review.
• Short mid-week drills on 2–3 weak topics only — weak-topic plan.
• CBT rehearsal so navigation is automatic — computer-based format.

What not to do in Year 6

• Swap in VIC ACER Year 9 papers as your default bank.
• Treat OC past papers as “easier selective” — different pathway.
• Stack daily full mocks in Term 1 and burn out before May.
• Ignore Writing until the last fortnight.

Victorian note

Victoria’s government selective entry exam is for Year 9 entry (sat in Year 8), not a Year 6 sitting. Year 6 VIC families usually focus on foundations or scholarship/EduTest pathways if relevant — Melbourne selective guide.

Practice starting point

EduSpark: 1 free paper per subject — free practice papers, NSW hubs at NSW practice papers and selective test practice. Full guide: NSW selective 2026 guide.