NSW Selective High School Yr 7

NSW Selective High School — Year 6 Entry

NSW Selective High School —

Mock Test Preparation

The most realistic NSW Selective High School mock exams available — mirror the exact format, timing, and difficulty so exam day feels familiar, not frightening.

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4

SECTIONS

106+

QUESTIONS

150 min

TOTAL TIME

Online

DELIVERY MODE

No

CALCULATOR

Self-Assessment

WRITING & FEEDBACK

Exam At a Glance

Age / Year

Year 3–4 (Age 8–10)

Subjects

4 Sections

Total Duration

150 minutes

Format

Online

TARGET SCHOOLS

4 Sections. 150 Minutes.
One Chance.

Here's exactly what your child will face — broken down by subject, question count, time limit, and format.

01

35 40 min

Mathematical Reasoning

Multi-step problems across number, algebra, measurement, geometry, and statistics. No calculator. Tests reasoning beyond standard Year 6 curriculum.

02

40 40 min

Thinking Skills

Logical reasoning, abstract thinking, verbal and spatial reasoning. Not curriculum-specific — assesses innate cognitive ability.

03

30 45 min

Reading

Comprehension across narrative, informational, persuasive and visual texts. Tests inference, analysis, and vocabulary in context.

04

1 TASK

25 min

Writing

Narrative or persuasive prompt. Marked on 7 criteria including structure, ideas, vocabulary, and language conventions.

Overview

The NSW Selective High School Placement Test is administered by the NSW Department of Education for Year 6 students applying for Year 7 entry to one of 17 fully selective and 25 partially selective high schools across NSW.
It is among the most competitive tests in Australia, with over 15,000 students competing for approximately 4,000 places annually.
The test covers Mathematical Reasoning, Thinking Skills, Reading, and Writing.

Who Is This For?

Year 6 students applying for Year 7 entry to NSW selective high schools.
Also suitable for academically advanced Year 5 students beginning preparation early.
Parents looking for structured, realistic exam practice with detailed performance tracking.

Key Details

Administered by

NSW Department of Education

when

March, Year 6

Sections

Total Questions

106 + Writing

Total Time

150 minutes

Entry Year

Year 7

Application & Exam Process

Follow each step to stay on track and maximise your child's chances of success.

🕒 May – Aug (Year 5)

Register Online

Parents register their child on the NSW Department of Education's online application portal.
You’ll need your child’s student number and school details.

Step 1

🕒 Aug – Oct (Year 5)

Preference Schools

Select up to 3 selective high schools in order of preference.
Research each school's location, specialisations, and culture before deciding.

Step 2

🕒 Oct – Feb

Prepare with Mock Exams

Use AustralianEdu.au mock exams to build familiarity with the format, timing, and question types.
We recommend completing 3–5 full mocks under timed conditions.

Step 3

🕒 March (Year 6)

Sit the Placement Test

The test is held at designated test centres across NSW on a single day in March.
It covers Mathematical Reasoning (35 Qs, 40 min), Thinking Skills (40 Qs, 40 min), Reading (30 Qs, 45 min) and Writing (1 task, 25 min).

Step 4

🕒 May (Year 6)

Receive Results & Offers

Results are released in May.
Offers are made based on your child's score and school preferences.
You'll have a set period to accept or decline.

Step 5

🕒 Jan (Year 7)

Start at Selective High School

Your child begins Year 7 at their allocated selective high school.
Congratulations!

Step 6

100% Satisfaction Guarantee

Not happy? Contact us within 7 days for a full refund. No questions asked. All packs include 12 months of unlimited access.

Everything your child needs
to succeed

Prepare with real exam-style questions written by teachers

Identical to Real Exams

Our mocks replicate the exact structure, question types, and timing so your child knows exactly what to expect.

Pinpoint Weaknesses

See a clear breakdown by section and skill area after each test — know exactly where to focus revision.

Built by Educators

Content designed by experienced Australian educators and markers who understand the marking criteria.

Unlimited practice attempts

Works on any device

Results emailed to parents

Teacher approved content

Zara Khan's Test Report

Here is a detailed report on your child's progress

Language Conventions

Attempts 6

Best Result 85%

Average Result 67%

Lowest Result 41%

National Average 69%

Results summary

Clear summaries show overall performance, strengths, and areas for improvement at a glance.

Student Dashboard

Writing Numeracy Reading Grammar

AprMayJunJul

Progress tracking

Visual tracking shows how your child's skills develop over time across subjects and tests.

Liam Thompson's Test Report

Here is a detailed report on your child's progress

Language Conventions

Average Result

Highest Result

National Average 69%

National comparison

Compare your child's results with national averages to see how they are performing overall.

Fully Selective High Schools

James Ruse Agricultural High School

📍 Carlingford

#1 HSC

North Sydney Boys High School

📍 Crows Nest

Top 5

North Sydney Girls High School

📍 Crows Nest

Top 5

Sydney Boys High School

📍 Moore Park

Top 10

Sydney Girls High School

📍 Surry Hills

Top 10

Baulkham Hills High School

📍 Baulkham Hills

Top 10

Hornsby Girls High School

📍 Hornsby

Top 15

Normanhurst Boys High School

📍 Normanhurst

Top 15

Fort Street High School

📍 Petersham

Top 15

Girraween High School

📍 Girraween

Top 20

Penrith High School

📍 Penrith

Top 20

Hurlstone Agricultural High School

📍 Glenfield

Top 25

Caringbah High School

📍 Caringbah

Top 30

Manly Selective Campus

📍 Manly

Top 30

Sefton High School

📍 Sefton

Top 30

Gosford High School

📍 Gosford

Top 30

Smiths Hill High School

📍 Wollongong

Top 30

Partially Selective High Schools

Chatswood High School

📍 Chatswood

Merewether High School

📍 Merewether

Peel High School

📍 Tamworth

An additional 25 NSW high schools offer selective streams within comprehensive schools. These schools allocate a portion of places via the same Selective High School Placement Test. Learn more

Watch & Learn

Official videos from exam boards and education departments to help you understand what to expect.

NSW Selective Schools Information

NSW Department of Education overview of the selective school placement test and application process.

Helpful Links & Official Information

Trusted government and institutional sources to support your child's preparation.

NSW Selective Schools

Official NSW Department of Education page with full list of selective and partially selective high schools.

Apply for Selective Placement

Official application portal for the NSW Selective High School Placement Test — opens mid-Year 5.

Test Format & Sample Questions

NSW Education's official guide explaining the test structure, sample questions, and what to expect.

Special Provisions

Information about disability provisions, language background considerations, and special circumstances.

School Finder — MySchool

Compare selective school results, NAPLAN data, and ICSEA ratings on the Australian Government's MySchool portal.

HSC Results by School

View the latest HSC results ranked by school — see how selective schools perform at Year 12 level.

What's in Our Mock Packs?

Over 15,000 students compete for ~4,000 selective school places — exam-specific practice gives your child a clear advantage

Our mocks replicate the exact format used by the NSW Department of Education, including the Writing criteria breakdown

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything parents ask about NSW exams — answered clearly.

When is the NSW Selective test held?

The test is typically held in March of Year 6. Applications open via the NSW Department of Education in late Year 5. We recommend starting preparation 6–12 months before.

How competitive is the NSW Selective test?

Extremely. Schools like James Ruse receive over 3,000 applications for 120 places. Even mid-tier selective schools have acceptance rates under 20%.

Are these actual past exam questions?

No. Our questions are 100% original, purpose-built to match the exact style, format and difficulty of the real exam. They are not recycled from past papers.

How many mock exams should my child do?

We recommend at least 3, spaced 2–3 weeks apart. Start early to build confidence and track improvement. The 5-pack gives the best preparation and value.

Can a Year 5 student start preparing?

Absolutely. Many top-performing students start in Year 5. Our progressive difficulty structure lets younger students build skills gradually.

What's included in the answer keys?

Every question includes a detailed worked solution explaining the method, common mistakes to avoid, and examiner-style tips for maximum marks.

Ready to Start Preparing?

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