NSW Selective High School Placement Test · sat in Year 6, for Year 7 entry
NSW Selective Test Practice Tests 2027
Timed thinking skills, mathematical reasoning and reading practice tests for the NSW selective test, in the same question styles as the Cambridge test. Every paper is marked instantly, with an explanation for every question.
1 free paper per subject · no card needed · 3,700+ timed papers sat · 600+ students signed up
Quick answer
- Who sits it
- Year 6 students in NSW applying for Year 7 at a selective high school or selective stream.
- When
- Usually early May. The next test is expected in May 2027 (estimated; not yet announced).
- What it tests
- Thinking skills, mathematical reasoning, reading and writing.
- Run by
- NSW Department of Education. Written by Cambridge University Press & Assessment, delivered on computer by Janison.
The NSW selective test at a glance
| Section | Questions | Time | Our papers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thinking Skills | 40 (A–D) | 40 min | 40 questions, 40 min |
| Mathematical Reasoning | 35 (A–E) | 40 min | 35 questions, 40 min |
| Reading | 17, some with several parts (A–D, and A–G for sentence placement) | 45 min | 30 answers in the official 4 parts, 45 min |
| Writing | 1 task | 30 min | Not included: we do not mark writing |
Next test: expected May 2027. This is our estimate from past years; the official date has not been announced.
- Format from the NSW Department of Education test information and official practice tests. The test is taken on a computer.
- Maths stays within the Stage 3 syllabus the test is based on. Harder papers add reasoning steps, not high-school topics.
Thinking skills practice tests for the NSW selective test
Thinking Skills is the section most students have not seen at school. It needs no curriculum knowledge: every question is solved from the information given. About half the questions are critical thinking (which statement strengthens or weakens an argument, whose reasoning is correct, what mistake someone has made) and half are problem solving (logic puzzles, working backwards, timetables and spatial questions with diagrams).
Our Thinking Skills papers follow those question types, at 40 questions in 40 minutes. Timing is the hard part, so practise under the clock and read the explanation for every question you get wrong. See the NSW Thinking Skills practice tests, or read our thinking skills strategies for the NSW selective test.
90 timed papers in three difficulty levels
Each subject has full-length timed papers that match the real section’s question count and time limit.
Standard24 papers
A little harder than the real test. Every question needs a reasoning step beyond the calculation.
Challenge48 papers
Less obvious setups, trap answers and 3 to 4 steps. Most papers are at this level.
Advanced18 papers
Well beyond the real test, so the day itself feels comfortable.
Practice by subject
3,150 questions in all. Every paper can be re-sat as often as you like.
What you see after every paper
Papers are marked the moment they are submitted.
- The score, and how it comparesThe mark, the time taken, and how the score compares with other students who sat the same paper.
- Where the marks wentEvery question is tagged by topic, so you can see which question types to practise next.
- An explanation for every questionStep-by-step working for each answer, including the ones that were right.
- Results emailed to the parentA results email after the first paper, then a weekly progress digest.
See a paper from start to finish
Pay once. 12 months. Nothing renews.
Start with the free paper in each subject. When you are ready, one payment covers 12 months.
$149one payment, 12 months
- All 90 papers, about $1.66 a paper
- Saves $28 compared with buying the 3 subjects separately
- 7-day money-back guarantee: email support@qrcall.com.au for a full refund
One subject
$59per subject, 12 months
All the papers for one subject, with the same guarantee.
See all prices →One price for everyone. No “was” prices and no countdown sales.
Guides for NSW Selective Test families
Entrance exam guides by school
Official information
Questions about NSW Selective Test
What is on the NSW selective test?
Four sections: Thinking Skills (40 questions, 40 minutes), Mathematical Reasoning (35 questions, 40 minutes), Reading (17 questions, some with several parts, 45 minutes) and Writing (one task, 30 minutes). The test is written by Cambridge University Press & Assessment and taken on a computer.
When is the 2027 NSW selective test?
It has not been announced yet. The test has been held in early May in recent years, so we expect May 2027. Applications usually close several months before; check the NSW Department of Education website for the official dates.
Is the test on paper or on a computer?
On a computer, at a test centre. Our papers are also taken on screen with a timer, which is good practice for pacing and for moving between questions.
Where can I find thinking skills practice tests for NSW?
The NSW Department of Education publishes official practice tests, which are the best place to start. EduSpark has 30 timed Thinking Skills papers of 40 questions each, in the same question types, with a free paper to try first.
Are your practice tests harder than the real test?
Yes, on purpose. Standard papers are a little harder than the real test, Challenge harder again, and Advanced papers go well beyond it. The extra difficulty comes from more reasoning steps, not from topics outside the syllabus.
Does my child need a tutor or coaching college?
Not necessarily. The test rewards reasoning under time pressure, which is built by practising under exam conditions and understanding each mistake. Many families prepare at home with timed papers; others use EduSpark alongside a tutor.
Do you mark the writing section?
No. Our papers cover Thinking Skills, Mathematical Reasoning and Reading. For writing, practise single pieces under a 30-minute limit.
What does it cost?
One free paper per subject, with no card needed. Full access is $149 for all three subjects or $59 for one subject, a one-time payment for 12 months that does not renew, with a 7-day money-back guarantee.
Try a full NSW Selective Test paper free
One free paper in every subject, marked instantly with explanations. No card needed.