NSW Selective — Practice Tests
Free Selective School Practice Tests (NSW)
A good NSW Selective practice test mirrors the real thing: the same four sections, the same on-screen timing, and questions at genuine test difficulty. Below is the exact section breakdown, three sample questions you can try right now without logging in, and an honest explanation of what is free versus paid. You can start 3 full practice tests free — no credit card required.
What a good Selective mock test includes
The NSW Selective High School Placement Test is sat on a computer at a test centre in Year 6 for Year 7 entry. A practice test is only useful if it copies the real conditions: four timed sections in one sitting, no calculator or dictionary, and multiple-choice answering on screen. Here is the structure your child should rehearse:
| Section | Time | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | 45 min | 17 questions (about 38 answers) |
| Mathematical Reasoning | 40 min | 35 questions |
| Thinking Skills | 40 min | 40 questions |
| Writing | 30 min | — |
Sat on a computer at a test centre. No calculator and no dictionary. Working out is done on paper with a 2B pencil. There are 10-minute breaks between sections and a longer break in the middle of the test.
Try three sample questions (no login needed)
These are original FunThinkers questions written at Selective difficulty — one from each multiple-choice section. Work them out on paper, then reveal the answer.
Example 1
Reading — inference: A passage ends, “Mara folded the letter without reading past the first line.” Which conclusion is best supported?
- A. Mara could not read the handwriting.
- B. Mara already expected what the letter would say.
- C. The letter was written to someone else.
- D. Mara was in a hurry to leave.
Show answer
Answer: B — Mara already expected what the letter would say.
Choosing not to read on suggests she anticipated the content, not that she was unable or rushed. Selective reading rewards the best-supported inference, not the merely possible one.
Example 2
Mathematical Reasoning: A tank is 3/5 full. After 24 litres are added it is 4/5 full. What is the tank’s full capacity?
- A. 96 litres
- B. 120 litres
- C. 150 litres
- D. 60 litres
Show answer
Answer: B — 120 litres.
24 litres raised the level by 4/5 − 3/5 = 1/5 of the tank. If 1/5 = 24 L, the full tank is 24 × 5 = 120 L.
Example 3
Thinking Skills: All Zerbs are Trell. No Trell can fly. Maro is a Zerb. Which statement must be true?
- A. Maro can fly.
- B. Maro is not a Trell.
- C. Maro cannot fly.
- D. Some Zerbs can fly.
Show answer
Answer: C — Maro cannot fly.
Maro is a Zerb, so Maro is a Trell; no Trell can fly, therefore Maro cannot fly. The other options contradict the premises.
Free vs paid — the honest version
You do not need a credit card to start. Each child gets 3 free practice-test attempts (any mix of Selective, OC or AAS mocks), plus free puzzle plays and worksheet sessions, so you can judge the quality before paying anything. When you want unlimited mocks, the subscription is $9.99/month and you can cancel anytime. There is no “everything is free forever” catch — the free tier is a genuine trial, not the whole product.
Start a free Selective mock
Sit a full-length practice test in the real format and get an instant, marked report.
Start 3 free practice testsFrequently asked questions
Are the practice tests really free?
Yes. Every child gets 3 free practice-test attempts across any mix of Selective, OC and AAS mocks, with no credit card. Unlimited access is $9.99/month after that.
Do the mocks match the real test timing?
Yes. Our Selective mocks use the same section structure and on-screen timing as the real test: Reading 45 minutes, Mathematical Reasoning 40 minutes, Thinking Skills 40 minutes, and Writing 30 minutes.
Can my child use a calculator?
No. The real Selective test does not allow calculators or dictionaries, so our mocks do not either. Working out is done on paper.
How many practice tests should my child do?
Spread full-length mocks out rather than cramming — one every week or two in the months before the test, reviewing every wrong answer, is far more effective than sitting many in a row.
Source: NSW Department of Education — Selective High School Placement Test. Last verified: July 2026.