EduSpark
Selective Entry Specialists

Selective Entry Practice Tests

Timed practice papers for Victoria's Year 9 selective entry exam, the NSW Year 7 Selective High School Placement Test, and the NSW Year 4 Opportunity Class Placement Test. 15–39 papers per subject 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 administered by ACER and takes approximately 2 hours 35 minutes of task time. It covers five components: Reading (35 minutes), Mathematics (30 minutes), Verbal Reasoning (30 minutes), Quantitative Reasoning (30 minutes), and Writing (40 minutes). Students sit the exam in June of Year 8 — the 2026 exam is on 20 June. EduSpark's practice papers cover the four multiple-choice components: Mathematics, Numerical Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Reading Comprehension.

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. Since 2025 the test is computer-based and administered by ACER. It covers four equally weighted components: Thinking Skills (40 questions, 40 minutes), Mathematical Reasoning (35 questions, 40 minutes), Reading (30 questions, 40 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). The 2026 OC test is on May 8–9.

How EduSpark practice tests work

EduSpark provides timed, auto-corrected practice papers that mirror the real exam experience. Each paper uses the same question count, time limit, and format as the actual selective entry exam — so your child practises under realistic conditions from day one.

Structured difficulty progression

Each subject has three difficulty levels — Standard, Challenge, and Advanced. 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 15–39 practice papers, multiple difficulty levels, and 2 free papers to try.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the Victorian selective entry exam?

The Victorian selective entry exam is a Year 9 entrance test used by four government selective schools: Melbourne High School, Mac.Robertson Girls' High School, Suzanne Cory High School, and Nossal High School. The exam is administered by ACER and covers Reading, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Writing. Students sit the exam in June of Year 8 (20 June 2026).

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 264 practice papers across VIC, NSW Year 7, and NSW Opportunity Class programs — over 10,900 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 2026 test is scheduled for May 8–9.

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 three difficulty levels (Standard, Challenge, Advanced) 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 same question types and skills tested in the real ACER selective entry exam (VIC) and ACER Selective High School Placement Test (NSW). Papers are timed to build exam-day pacing, and every question includes a detailed explanation so your child practises under realistic conditions.

Can I try EduSpark before paying?

Yes — every student gets 2 free practice papers 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 (30+ papers per subject), 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 2 free practice papers

Create your free account to try 2 practice papers per subject — no credit card required. See instant results and detailed explanations.

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