Selective Entry Practice Tests by Subject
Find timed selective entry practice tests by subject for Victoria's selective entry exam (sat in Year 8, for Year 9 entry), the NSW Year 7 Selective High School Placement Test, Year 9 EduTest entry & scholarship exams in NSW and Victoria, and the NSW Year 4 Opportunity Class Placement Test. Every paper is timed, with instant results, detailed explanations, and per-question timing analytics.
What are selective entry exams?
Selective entry exams are competitive entrance tests used by government selective schools in Australia to identify academically talented students. These exams assess reasoning, literacy, and numeracy skills well above grade level. Places are limited and competition is intense — thousands of students apply for a few hundred spots each year.
In Victoria, the selective entry exam is for Year 9 entry into four government schools: Melbourne High School, Mac.Robertson Girls' High School, Suzanne Cory High School, and Nossal High School. The exam is run by ACER and takes 2 hours 35 minutes of task time in three parts: Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning (60 minutes), Reading & Verbal Reasoning (55 minutes), and Writing (40 minutes, two tasks). Students sit the exam in June of Year 8 — the 2027 exam is expected in June 2027. EduSpark's VIC papers cover the skills in the two multiple-choice parts, with separate Mathematics, Numerical Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Reading Comprehension papers.
In New South Wales, the Selective High School Placement Test (SHSPT) is for Year 7 entry into 47 fully and partially selective high schools across the state. The test is designed by Cambridge University Press & Assessment, delivered by Janison, and computer-based since 2025. It covers four equally weighted components: Thinking Skills (40 questions, 40 minutes), Mathematical Reasoning (35 questions, 40 minutes), Reading (17 questions, some with several parts, 45 minutes), and Writing (1 open-response task, 30 minutes). Students sit the exam in May of Year 6.
NSW also offers Opportunity Classes (OC) for academically gifted Year 4 students entering Year 5 at approximately 75 government primary schools. The OC Placement Test covers three sections: Mathematical Reasoning (35 questions, 40 minutes), Thinking Skills (30 questions, 30 minutes), and Reading (33 questions, 40 minutes). Like the Year 7 test it is designed by Cambridge and delivered by Janison. The test is held each May — the 2027 sitting is expected in May 2027.
How EduSpark practice tests work
EduSpark provides timed, auto-corrected practice papers that mirror the real exam experience. Each paper is timed, with a question count and time limit set for its section, so students practise under realistic conditions from day one.
Structured difficulty progression
Papers come in Standard, Challenge and Advanced levels (OC has Standard and Challenge). Start with Standard to build foundations, then progress to harder content as confidence grows.
Per-question timing analytics
See exactly how long your child spends on each question. Identify questions where they run out of time or rush through too quickly — a common cause of lost marks.
Automatic weakness tagging
EduSpark analyses results to identify specific topic areas that need more work. Instead of guessing, you get a clear picture of where to focus revision.
Step-by-step explanations
Every question includes a detailed explanation showing how to arrive at the correct answer. Your child learns from every mistake, not just the score.
Choose your state & subject
Select your program to see available subjects. Every subject includes timed practice papers at more than one difficulty level, and 1 free paper to try.
Sat in Year 8, for Year 9 entry · 4 subjects · 120 papers + 4 full-length mocks
Mathematics
Year 8 curriculum, instant results and step-by-step explanations. Try 1 free paper.
Numerical Reasoning
Patterns, sequences, data interpretation with instant results and explanations. Try 1 free per subject.
Verbal Reasoning
Analogies, odd-one-out, codes & logical deduction with instant results. Try 1 free per subject.
Reading Comprehension
Inference, vocabulary in context & critical analysis with instant results. Try 1 free per subject.
Want all 4 VIC subjects?
The Complete Bundle covers Mathematics, Numerical Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Reading Comprehension, plus the full-length mocks, for $149 — save $87 vs buying separately.
View PricingBrowse by subject
VIC Selective Entry
Sat in Year 8, for Year 9 entry
NSW Selective High
Sat in Year 6, for Year 7 entry
NSW Opportunity Class
Sat in Year 4, for Year 5 entry
Year 9 EduTest
NSW & VIC · sat in Year 8, for Year 9 entry & scholarships
Frequently asked questions
What is the Victorian selective entry exam?
The Victorian selective entry exam is sat in Year 8, for Year 9 entry to four government selective schools: Melbourne High School, Mac.Robertson Girls' High School, Suzanne Cory High School, and Nossal High School. It is run by ACER in three parts: Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning (60 minutes), Reading & Verbal Reasoning (55 minutes), and Writing (40 minutes, two tasks). Students sit the exam in June of Year 8 — the 2027 exam is expected in June 2027.
What is the NSW Selective High School Placement Test?
The NSW Selective High School Placement Test (SHSPT) is a Year 7 entrance exam for 47 fully and partially selective high schools across New South Wales, including James Ruse Agricultural High School and Sydney Boys/Girls High School. Since 2025 the test is computer-based and covers four equally weighted components: Thinking Skills, Mathematical Reasoning, Reading, and Writing. Students sit the exam in approximately May of Year 6.
How many practice papers does EduSpark offer?
EduSpark offers 304 practice papers across VIC, NSW Year 7, Year 9 EduTest (NSW and VIC), and NSW Opportunity Class programs — over 13,500 practice questions in total. Each paper includes instant auto-correction and detailed step-by-step explanations for every question.
What is the NSW Opportunity Class (OC) test?
The OC Placement Test is for academically gifted Year 4 students seeking entry to Opportunity Class programs in Year 5 and 6 at NSW government primary schools. The test covers three sections: Mathematical Reasoning (35 questions, 40 minutes), Thinking Skills (30 questions, 30 minutes), and Reading (33 questions, 40 minutes). The test is held each May — the 2027 sitting is expected in early May 2027.
How early should my child start preparing for the selective entry exam?
Most families begin preparation 6–12 months before the exam. Starting earlier allows time to build foundational skills before progressing to timed exam conditions. EduSpark's difficulty levels (Standard and Challenge in every program, plus Advanced outside OC) support a structured preparation timeline — start with Standard papers to build confidence, then progress to harder content.
Are EduSpark practice tests based on the real exam format?
Yes. EduSpark practice papers cover the question types and skills tested in the ACER selective entry exam (VIC), the Cambridge-designed NSW Selective High School Placement Test and OC Placement Test, and EduTest (Year 9 entry and scholarships in NSW and VIC). Papers are timed to build exam-day pacing, and every question includes a detailed explanation.
Can I try EduSpark before paying?
Yes — every student gets 1 free practice paper per subject when they create an account. No credit card required. This lets your child experience the platform and timed exam conditions before committing.
Is online practice as effective as a private tutor?
For building exam skills, structured practice under timed conditions is one of the most effective preparation methods. EduSpark complements tutoring by providing volume (10 to 30 papers per subject, depending on the program), instant feedback, and detailed explanations your child can review independently. Many families use EduSpark alongside a tutor to maximise results.
My child already does well at school — do they still need test prep?
Selective entry exams test reasoning and problem-solving skills that go well beyond the standard school curriculum. Students who perform strongly at school often find the exam format, time pressure, and question complexity challenging without specific preparation. Practising under real exam conditions helps bridge that gap.
What if my child doesn't like practising online?
EduSpark is designed to feel like a real exam — not a game or an app. The interface is clean and focused, with a countdown timer, question navigator, and instant results. Most students quickly adjust because the format mirrors what they'll face on exam day. Starting with the free papers is a low-commitment way to see if it suits your child.
How much time should they spend practising each week?
We recommend 2–3 practice sessions per week, each lasting 30–45 minutes (roughly one paper). Consistency matters more than volume. Regular timed practice builds pacing skills and reduces exam-day anxiety. Review sessions — going through explanations for wrong answers — are just as valuable as the papers themselves.
Start with a free practice paper
Create your free account to try 1 practice paper per subject — no credit card required. See instant results and detailed explanations.
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