How long is the selective test? Parents usually want two answers: the timed minutes per section, and how long the whole test-centre day lasts. The NSW Selective High School Placement Test (sat in Year 6 for Year 7 entry) has four computer-based sections. Section times add up to 155 minutes of exam work. The Department also builds in short breaks between sections and a longer break in the middle of the sitting.
Use this page with the Selective practice hub and the test dates guide. Official rules and cycle dates always sit with the NSW Department of Education.
Selective test format at a glance
| Section | Time | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | 45 minutes | About 17 questions producing roughly 38 answers (multi-part passages) |
| Mathematical Reasoning | 40 minutes | 35 multiple-choice questions; no calculator |
| Thinking Skills | 40 minutes | 40 multiple-choice questions; logic, arguments, patterns |
| Writing | 30 minutes | One typed task on the computer |
Section total: 45 + 40 + 40 + 30 = 155 minutes.
These figures come from FunThinkers verified NSW notes (last checked July 2026). Re-check the Department page each application season.
How long is the whole day?
Section time is not the same as arrival-to-finish time. The Department describes:
- A computer-based sitting at a designated test centre
- 10-minute breaks between sections
- A longer break in the middle of the test
- Working out on paper with a 2B pencil
- No calculator and no dictionary
Exact doors-open and finish times vary by venue and year. The Department does not publish one statewide finish clock for every centre. Plan for more than the 155 minutes of questions when you arrange travel and pickup. Pack water and follow the what-to-bring list on the Department site for your cycle.
Is the selective test hard?
Difficulty depends on the child, but the format is demanding for most Year 6 students because of:
- Four different skills in one sitting
- Strict timing (Thinking Skills is 40 questions in 40 minutes, about one minute per question)
- A typed Writing task after a long block of multiple choice
- No calculator on Mathematical Reasoning
Hard often means stamina and pacing, not one trick question. Families who only practise untimed worksheets often find timed papers much harder on test day. Timed Selective-format mocks reduce that gap.
For traps that cost marks in Thinking Skills, see Thinking Skills traps. For a week-by-week plan, see the Selective test study plan.
Writing changes the length of the day
Compared with the OC test (three multiple-choice sections, no writing), Selective adds a 30-minute typed Writing paper. That is why Selective days feel longer than OC days even when maths and reading times look similar.
OC section times for comparison:
| OC section | Time |
|---|---|
| Reading | 40 minutes |
| Mathematical Reasoning | 40 minutes |
| Thinking Skills | 30 minutes |
OC section total: 110 minutes. Details: What is an Opportunity Class? and OC vs Selective.
How to practise the length, not only the content
- Sit at least one full four-section mock with real section times.
- Keep the short breaks so your child learns to reset between papers.
- Practise typing the Writing task in 30 minutes on a keyboard, not only handwriting.
- Review one weak section the next day instead of repeating the whole paper every time.
FunThinkers mirrors the Selective layout so practice time matches exam pacing. Each child starts with 3 free practice test attempts and no credit card. Unlimited papers are $9.99/month if you want more volume.
Quick FAQ
How long is Reading?
45 minutes.
How long is Mathematical Reasoning?
40 minutes, 35 questions, no calculator.
How long is Thinking Skills?
40 minutes, 40 questions.
How long is Writing?
30 minutes, one typed task.
Does NSW publish official cutoffs?
No. Official minimum entry scores stopped after 2021. Treat online cutoff tables as estimates.
Next steps
- Browse Selective practice tests
- Check Selective test dates
- Skim Selective test changes if you need format updates