"We were terrified of the EduTest until we sat down and broke it into its five sections, started 12 months out, and built a weekly rhythm. The test went from intimidating to manageable — and our daughter walked in calm. That preparation, more than anything, is what won her a Year 7 scholarship."
Parent, Sydney
📋 Data Sources & References
This guide draws on the official EduTest assessment framework published by Edutest Pty Ltd (edutest.com.au), published entry information from NSW selective high schools, the Queensland Academies (QASMT, QACI, QAHS), and BrainTree Coaching's experience preparing thousands of Australian families for selective and scholarship exams. All scoring, percentile and timeline guidance is calibrated for the 2026 testing cycle and verified against current school documentation. Always confirm specific dates, fees and requirements directly with your target school.
Quick Answer: What Is the EduTest?
The EduTest is a standardised, computer-based exam used by leading Australian selective schools and private schools to assess academic ability for Year 7, Year 8–9 and Year 10–11 entry. Designed by Edutest Pty Ltd, it tests students across five sections — Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Mathematics and Written Expression — over approximately 2.5 hours. Results are reported as percentile rankings, with top selective schools typically requiring 95th–99th percentile performance. Effective preparation takes 12–18 months.
EduTest 2026: The Complete Guide for Parents and Students
If your child is preparing to sit an EduTest for entry into a selective high school, a private-school scholarship, or one of the Queensland Academies, this is the most comprehensive parent-friendly guide you will read in 2026. Inside you will find every piece of practical information you need to plan your child's preparation — the exact exam structure, what each section actually tests, scoring explained in plain English, a 12-month timeline, common mistakes to avoid, sample questions, and a clear path from "what is the EduTest?" to "we are ready for test day."
This guide is built on BrainTree Coaching Australia's experience preparing thousands of students across NSW, VIC, QLD, SA and WA, and is updated for the 2026 testing cycle.
🎯 In this guide, you'll discover:
- Exactly what the EduTest is and how it differs from school-based exams
- Every Australian school and scholarship that uses it
- The full 5-section format with timing, question counts and skills tested
- How EduTest changes for Year 7, 8–9 and 10–11 entry
- How percentile scoring works and what scores you actually need
- How EduTest compares to ACER and the NSW Selective Test
- Sample questions for every section
- A 12-month preparation plan with month-by-month milestones
- Section-by-section preparation strategies
- The 10 most common EduTest mistakes — and how to avoid them
- A complete test-day checklist for parents and students
- A clear comparison of free vs paid resources
- The right BrainTree Super Pack for your child's year of entry
Jump straight to the section that matters most for your child's preparation.
Click any section above to jump directly to that content
What Is the EduTest?
The EduTest is a suite of standardised academic ability tests developed by Edutest Pty Ltd, an Australian assessment provider with more than 30 years of experience designing high-stakes selective and scholarship exams. It is one of the two dominant test providers in the Australian selective and scholarship landscape — the other being ACER.
EduTest is used by:
- Selective high schools (particularly several top schools in NSW and the Queensland Academies in QLD)
- Independent and private schools for academic, all-rounder, music, sport and Indigenous scholarships
- Catholic and Anglican school systems for entry assessments
It is not a curriculum-based test. Instead, EduTest measures underlying reasoning ability, comprehension and applied problem solving — the kind of thinking that predicts whether a student is likely to thrive in a high-pressure academic environment.
⚠️ Why This Matters for Parents
A child who scores top of the class at school can still underperform on EduTest — and vice versa. EduTest is deliberately designed so that most students will not finish every section. The target completion rate is roughly 50%. Strategy, pacing and reasoning skills matter as much as raw academic knowledge. Treating EduTest like a school test is the single biggest preparation mistake families make.
For a deeper hub on the exam and how BrainTree supports families, see our main EduTest selective school & scholarship exam hub.
Which Schools Use the EduTest?
EduTest is accepted by more than 100 schools across Australia. The exact list changes year to year, so always confirm with the school directly, but the most prominent users include:
NSW Selective High Schools (Year 7 Entry)
- James Ruse Agricultural High School
- Baulkham Hills High School
- North Sydney Boys High School
- North Sydney Girls High School
- Sydney Girls High School
Queensland Academies (Year 7 Entry, EduTest Format)
- QASMT — Queensland Academy for Science, Mathematics and Technology
- QACI — Queensland Academy for Creative Industries
- QAHS — Queensland Academy for Health Sciences
Independent & Private School Scholarships (Year 7, 8–9 and 10–11 Entry)
EduTest is the most widely used scholarship test for academic, all-rounder, music, sport and Indigenous scholarships at independent schools across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth — including many of the top GPS, AGSV and APS schools.
Other State and Catholic Schools
A growing number of Catholic systemic and independent schools use EduTest for Year 7 entry assessments and bursary placement.
💡 Action Step
Check each target school's website for "Scholarship Test" or "Entry Assessment" — schools will state whether they use EduTest, ACER or their own internal test. Don't assume: even within the same suburb, two competing schools can use different tests.
EduTest Format & the 5 Sections
EduTest is a computer-based exam delivered in a single sitting of approximately 2.5 hours including breaks. The structure is consistent across year levels, with only the difficulty and writing format adjusting.
EduTest at a Glance — All 5 Sections
Approximately 2.5 hours total testing time, designed for ~50% completion
Verbal Reasoning
Word relationships, analogies, classification, deduction
Reading Comprehension
Inference, vocabulary, main idea, author's purpose
Numerical Reasoning
Patterns, sequences, data interpretation, abstract logic
Mathematics
Number, algebra, measurement, geometry, statistics
Written Expression
Structure, ideas, vocabulary, grammar, control
1. Verbal Reasoning
Tests how flexibly your child manipulates words and meaning under time pressure. Question types include synonyms, antonyms, analogies, odd-word-out, sentence completion and verbal deduction. Strong vocabulary is non-negotiable — and is the single biggest lever for improvement.
2. Reading Comprehension
Multiple passages — fiction, non-fiction and increasingly poetry — followed by inference-heavy questions. The hardest questions ask why the author chose a word, what a character implies, or what tone is being established. Surface-level readers struggle.
3. Numerical Reasoning
This is not arithmetic. It is pattern recognition, number sequences, matrices, data tables and abstract logic. Speed matters as much as accuracy — students who can recognise common pattern types in seconds gain a decisive advantage.
4. Mathematics
Curriculum-aligned but applied. Expect problem-solving questions where the maths is hidden inside a real-world scenario — fractions, ratios, percentages, area, volume, probability and basic algebra (more algebra at Year 9–11 entry).
5. Written Expression
A short timed writing task — usually creative, persuasive or descriptive. Markers reward clear structure, specific vocabulary, varied sentences and a strong opening, not length. A tight 250-word piece routinely outscores a rambling 500-word one.
For a full section-by-section breakdown of every question type, see our EduTest exam format guide.
Year-Level Entry Points
EduTest is sat at three main entry points, and the difficulty calibrates to the year level. Choosing the right preparation pack matters — Year 7 prep will not be enough for a Year 10 scholarship, and Year 11 prep is overkill for a Year 7 candidate.
EduTest by Year of Entry
| Feature | Option 1 | Option 2 | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of Entry | Year 7 | Year 8 / 9 / 10 | Year 11 |
| When sat | Year 5 or early Year 6 | Year 6 / 7 / 8 | Year 8 or 9 |
| Difficulty | Upper primary + reasoning | Lower-secondary curriculum | Senior secondary, includes algebra |
| Writing focus | Creative / descriptive | Persuasive + descriptive | Sophisticated argument & analysis |
| Recommended prep | 12–18 months | 9–12 months | 6–9 months |
| Best fit BrainTree pack | EduTest Super Pack (Year 7 Entry) | EduTest Super Pack (Year 9–10 Entry) | EduTest Super Pack (Year 11 Entry) |
Year 7 Entry (Sat in Year 5 or early Year 6)
Students applying for Year 7 entry to selective high schools (NSW, QLD Academies) and Year 7 scholarships at independent schools. Curriculum is upper primary, but the reasoning sections push beyond grade level. The right course: EduTest Super Pack (Year 7 Entry) — 400+ practice tests, 20 writing tasks, vocabulary mastery and verbal reasoning course.
Year 8 & 9 Entry (Sat in Year 6 or 7) — and Year 10 entry
Mid-secondary scholarship candidates at independent schools. Difficulty shifts to lower-secondary curriculum with more abstract reasoning and longer comprehension passages. The right course: EduTest Super Pack (Year 9–10 Entry) — covers Year 8/9/10 scholarship entry with 400+ tests and writing feedback.
Year 10 & 11 Entry (Sat in Year 8 or 9)
Senior secondary scholarship candidates, often for VCE/HSC/IB pathways at top independent schools. Includes early-secondary algebra, advanced inference and sophisticated written expression. The right course: EduTest Super Pack (Year 11 Entry) — built specifically for senior scholarship preparation.
How EduTest Is Scored
EduTest reports results as percentile rankings, not raw scores. A percentile tells you what percentage of test-takers your child outperformed.
EduTest Percentile Bands & Likely Outcomes
| Feature | Option 1 | Option 2 | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 99th percentile | Outperformed 99% of students | Strong contender for James Ruse, QASMT | Top-tier |
| 95th–98th percentile | Outperformed 95–98% | Competitive for top selective + full scholarships | Excellent |
| 85th–94th percentile | Outperformed 85–94% | Competitive for partial scholarships and second-tier selective | Strong |
| 70th–84th percentile | Above average | Possible offers from less competitive schools | Developing |
| Below 70th percentile | Below competitive threshold | Unlikely to receive selective/scholarship offers | Needs more prep |
Important nuances every parent should understand:
- Each section is scored separately, then most schools combine them with weightings — Reading and Mathematics often carry more weight than Verbal/Numerical Reasoning.
- Writing is marked by trained human assessors, not automated. Strong writing can lift an otherwise borderline application.
- Cut-off scores change every year based on candidate strength. Use last year's cut-off as a guide, not a guarantee.
- Schools rank students — your child is competing against the cohort that sat the test that year, not a fixed benchmark.
For a deeper breakdown of how to interpret your child's score and decide next steps, see our EduTest results & interpretation guide.
EduTest vs ACER vs NSW Selective Test
Parents often confuse these three tests. They are distinct.
EduTest vs ACER vs NSW Selective Test
| Feature | Option 1 | Option 2 | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Provider | Edutest Pty Ltd | ACER | NSW DoE / Cambridge |
| Format | Computer-based | Mostly paper, moving digital | Computer-based |
| Number of sections | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Used for | Selective + scholarships | Most independent school scholarships | NSW state selective high schools |
| Entry years | Year 7, 8–9, 10–11 | Year 7, 9, 10–11 | Year 7 only |
| Scoring | Percentile | Stanine + percentile | Scaled 0–300 |
Key takeaway: A child preparing for NSW state selective entry sits the NSW Selective Test, not EduTest. But a child applying to private school scholarships on the same year of entry will likely sit EduTest or ACER, sometimes both. Always ask each school which test they use. For a deeper comparison between the two scholarship-test giants in Queensland, read our HAST vs EduTest Queensland comparison.
Sample Questions by Section
Below are EduTest-style sample questions to help your child get a feel for the format. (These are illustrative, not actual past papers.)
Verbal Reasoning Sample
Find the word that completes the analogy: Reluctant is to eager as scarce is to ___
a) rare b) abundant c) limited d) sparse
Answer: b) abundant. Reluctant and eager are antonyms; scarce and abundant are antonyms.
Reading Comprehension Sample
(After reading a passage about a coastal village)
Which word best describes the narrator's attitude towards the village?
a) indifferent b) nostalgic c) critical d) hopeful
Approach: Look for emotional cues in the language — does the narrator describe the village with warmth, longing, distance or judgement? The answer hinges on tone, not facts.
Numerical Reasoning Sample
What number completes the sequence?
2, 6, 12, 20, 30, ___
Answer: 42. The differences are 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 — increasing by 2 each step.
Mathematics Sample
A bookshelf holds 240 books. If 5/8 of the books are fiction, how many are non-fiction?
Answer: 90. Non-fiction = 3/8 × 240 = 90.
Written Expression Prompt
Write a short story (15 minutes) beginning with this sentence:
"The door at the end of the corridor had not been opened in fifty years."
What markers look for: a strong hook in the second sentence, a clear narrative arc, controlled vocabulary, sensory detail, and a deliberate ending. Length should be ~250–350 words — quality over quantity.
For 400+ realistic practice questions across every section, with worked solutions and writing feedback, see our full EduTest practice resources library or the free EduTest practice questions guide for Queensland Academies.
12-Month EduTest Preparation Plan
The single biggest predictor of a strong EduTest result is how early preparation begins. Below is the 12-month plan we recommend at BrainTree.
The BrainTree 12-Month EduTest Preparation Plan
Months 12–10: Foundation Phase
Diagnostic mock test to identify weak sections. Build a daily reading habit (30 min/day, mixed fiction and non-fiction). Begin vocabulary mastery — aim for 10 new words per week with usage practice. Establish baseline mental-maths fluency.
Months 9–7: Skill-Building Phase
Introduce timed practice in the weakest section (typically Verbal Reasoning). Begin one writing task per week with feedback. Add poetry comprehension and inference work. Practice numerical pattern questions three times per week.
Months 6–4: Integration Phase
Full timed mock test once a fortnight. Track percentile improvements and adjust weak areas. Increase writing tasks to two per week. Build test stamina with back-to-back section practice.
Months 3–1: Exam-Readiness Phase
Weekly full mock tests under exam conditions. Review and refine writing structures. Speed drills for any section consistently below the 80th percentile. Reduce volume in the final two weeks; focus on confidence and rest.
The Final 7 Days
One light mock test, no more than 60 minutes. Review notes, sleep early, eat well, walk daily. No new content. Trust the preparation.
For the full step-by-step playbook, see our EduTest preparation strategies guide.
Section-by-Section Strategies
Section-Specific Preparation Strategies
Verbal Reasoning — Build Vocabulary, Then Build Speed
Objectives
- Master a structured word-list system (root words, prefixes, suffixes)
- Drill analogy patterns explicitly: synonym, antonym, part-to-whole, cause-effect
- Time every drill — accuracy without speed is not enough
Key Activities
- 10 new vocabulary words per week with sentence usage
- Daily 10-question analogy drill
- Weekly timed verbal reasoning paper
Reading Comprehension — Read Deeply, Not Just Widely
Objectives
- Annotate passages: tone, character motivation, author's purpose
- Practise inference specifically — not just literal questions
- Add poetry weekly — top schools increasingly include unseen poems
Key Activities
- 30 min/day mixed reading
- One inference-heavy comprehension per week
- Weekly unseen poem analysis
Numerical Reasoning — Patterns Over Computation
Objectives
- Drill number sequences daily
- Master matrices and visual patterns
- Don't spend more than 60 seconds on any one question — flag and move on
Key Activities
- Daily 5-minute pattern drill
- Weekly timed numerical reasoning paper
- Speed practice: 30 questions in 25 minutes
Mathematics — Go Beyond the Curriculum
Objectives
- Cover the full Year 6/Year 8/Year 10 curriculum (depending on entry year)
- Add applied word problems — EduTest hides the maths inside language
- Build mental-maths fluency: times tables to 15, fraction-decimal-percentage conversions
Key Activities
- Daily 10-minute mental maths
- Weekly applied problem set
- Fortnightly full maths paper under timed conditions
Written Expression — Structure Beats Length
Objectives
- Teach a repeatable structure (narrative or persuasive)
- Build a personal "vocabulary upgrade list" — replace 10 weak words with strong alternatives
- Practise under strict time: plan 3 min, write 18 min, edit 2 min
Key Activities
- One writing task per week with feedback
- Weekly vocabulary-upgrade journal
- Timed full-task practice fortnightly
For poetry, comprehension and verbal mastery as standalone modules, see Poetry Mastery, Verbal Reasoning Mastery and Vocabulary Mastery.
10 Most Common EduTest Mistakes
Avoid These 10 EduTest Preparation Mistakes
- ✓Starting too late — six weeks is not enough; 12 months is realistic
- ✓Treating EduTest like a school test — it rewards reasoning, not memorisation
- ✓Skipping Verbal Reasoning practice because "my child reads a lot" — reading volume ≠ reasoning skill
- ✓Ignoring vocabulary — it silently caps performance in three of the five sections
- ✓Practising untimed — without time pressure, your child is not preparing for the real test
- ✓Over-focusing on Mathematics — it is only one of five sections
- ✓Neglecting writing because "it's hard to mark" — schools weight it heavily
- ✓No mock-test routine — without regular full mocks, stamina collapses on the day
- ✓Reviewing only wrong answers — review why the right answers were right too
- ✓Cramming the final week — rest, hydration and confidence beat last-minute drills
Test-Day Checklist
EduTest Test-Day Checklist for Parents and Students
- ✓The night before: lay out clothes, ID, snacks and water bottle
- ✓The night before: confirm test centre address and arrival time
- ✓The night before: light dinner, screen-free wind-down, in bed by 9 pm
- ✓The morning of: protein-rich breakfast (eggs, toast, fruit)
- ✓The morning of: arrive 20 minutes early
- ✓The morning of: toilet stop before entering the test room
- ✓Bring: photo ID (school card or passport)
- ✓Bring: booking confirmation and registration number
- ✓Bring: water bottle (clear, no labels)
- ✓Bring: approved snacks for the break
- ✓Do NOT bring: phones, smart watches, calculators
- ✓Do NOT bring: notes, books or coloured pens
For the full pre-exam routine and parent guide, see EduTest test day guide.
Free vs Paid Resources
Free vs Paid EduTest Preparation
| Feature | Option 1 | Option 2 | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | $0 | $99–$399 | Investment in outcomes |
| Volume of practice | Limited samples | 400+ tests + lessons | Paid much deeper |
| Timed mock tests | Rare | Multiple per pack | Critical for prep |
| Writing feedback | None | Detailed feedback per task | Major differentiator |
| Coverage | Patchy | All 5 sections + vocab + poetry | Complete vs partial |
| Best for | Diagnostic & familiarisation | Serious preparation | Use both, in sequence |
Free resources are an excellent starting point. The official sample questions on edutest.com.au, BrainTree's free mock tests and our Free Welcome Pack are the best places to begin. But scholarship-level preparation requires structured practice, timed mocks and human feedback on writing — which is where a Super Pack comes in.
Recommended EduTest Courses by Year of Entry
BrainTree's Super Packs are the most comprehensive EduTest preparation programmes available in Australia, each calibrated to a specific year of entry. Pick the right pack based on the year your child will enter — not the year they are sitting the test.
Choose the pack calibrated to your child's entry year
EduTest Super Packs by Year of Entry
View All Courses
- ✓Includes 50 practice tests with detailed, step-by-step solutions
- ✓Master poetic devices, literary techniques, and figurative language
- ✓Analyse unseen poems with confidence and precision
- ✓Tackle a wide range of question types from major exams
- ✓Develop critical thinking and analytical skills for top marks
- ✓Perfect for OC, Selective, HAST, and Scholarship exam preparation
- ✓Build a strong foundation for advanced English studies
- ✓90 days of unlimited access to all resources
- ✓50+ Poetry comprehension lessons
- ✓Practice with real exam poems
- ✓Detailed explanations
- ✓Self-paced
- ✓Email support
- ✓Complete EduTest format practice test collection
- ✓10 Verbal Reasoning practice tests
- ✓10 Numerical Reasoning practice tests
- ✓10 Reading Comprehension practice tests
- ✓10 Mathematics practice tests
- ✓5 Written Expression practice tests with detailed solutions and feedback
- ✓Complete EduTest format practice test collection
- ✓Reading, Mathematics, Numerical & Verbal Reasoning tests
- ✓5 Writing tasks with detailed solutions & feedback
- ✓Detailed explanations for every question
- ✓365 Days of Unlimited Access
- ✓Email Support
- ✓5 Reading Comprehension tests
- ✓5 Mathematical Reasoning tests
- ✓5 Numerical Reasoning tests
- ✓3 Verbal Reasoning tests
- ✓5 Writing tasks with detailed solutions & feedback
- ✓Vocabulary Mastery resources
- ✓365 days unlimited access
- ✓Priority email support
- ✓400+ practice tests, lessons, and exercises
- ✓30+ Reading Comprehension tests
- ✓5 Mathematical Reasoning tests
- ✓5 Numerical Reasoning tests
- ✓3 Verbal Reasoning tests
- ✓20 Writing tasks with solutions & feedback
- ✓Foundation + Advanced Vocabulary Courses
- ✓Verbal Reasoning Mastery Course
- ✓50 Poetry-based comprehension tests
- ✓150+ Daily Paragraph Editing exercises
- ✓365 Days of Unlimited Access
- ✓Detailed explanations for every question
- ✓Email support
- ✓30+ Reading Comprehension tests
- ✓5 Mathematical Reasoning tests
- ✓5 Numerical Reasoning tests
- ✓3 Verbal Reasoning tests
- ✓20 Writing tasks with solutions & feedback
- ✓Verbal Reasoning Mastery Course
- ✓365 Days of Unlimited Access
- ✓Detailed explanations for every question
- ✓Email support
- ✓400+ practice tests
- ✓lessons
- ✓and exercises
- ✓30+ Reading Comprehension tests
- ✓5 Mathematical Reasoning tests
- ✓5 Numerical Reasoning tests
- ✓3 Verbal Reasoning tests
- ✓20 Writing tasks with solutions & feedback
- ✓Foundation + Advanced Vocabulary Courses
- ✓Verbal Reasoning Mastery Course
- ✓50 Poetry-based comprehension tests
- ✓150+ Daily Paragraph Editing exercises
- ✓365 Days of Unlimited Access
- ✓Detailed explanations for every question
- ✓Email support
- ✓Based on the latest EduTest Queensland Academies format
- ✓5 Verbal Reasoning practice tests (30 min each)
- ✓5 Numerical Reasoning practice tests (30 min each)
- ✓5 Reading Comprehension practice tests (30 min each)
- ✓5 Mathematics practice tests (30 min each)
- ✓Detailed explanations for every question
- ✓400+ practice tests, lessons, and exercises
- ✓Reading Comprehension, Numerical & Verbal Reasoning
- ✓20 Writing tasks with solutions & feedback
- ✓Foundation + Advanced Vocabulary Courses
- ✓Poetry-based comprehension tests
- ✓Daily Paragraph Editing exercises
- ✓365 Days of Unlimited Access
- ✓Email Support
- ✓18 narrative writing prompts across genres like mystery, suspense, and fantasy
- ✓Learn key storytelling techniques to build tension
- ✓Flexible and self-paced, perfect for busy students
- ✓Ideal for creative writing exams and competitions
- ✓Engaging exercises to expand writing abilities
- ✓Expert-led lessons to guide you step-by-step
- ✓Receive personalised feedback, sample responses, and vocabulary usage examples to refine your skills
- ✓Comprehensive curriculum for all skill levels
- ✓180 days of unlimited access to all resources
- ✓Word relationships, analogies, and classification
- ✓Synonyms, antonyms, and word pairs mastery
- ✓Cloze passages and sentence completion drills
- ✓Strategies for multi-step verbal reasoning items
- ✓Guided lessons with timed challenges
- ✓Detailed explanations for every question
- ✓365 days unlimited access
- ✓60+ Verbal Reasoning lessons
- ✓Pattern, analogy, and logic mastery
- ✓Timed practice sets
- ✓Detailed explanations
- ✓Self-paced
- ✓Email support
- ✓400+ practice tests, lessons, and exercises
- ✓30+ Reading Comprehension tests
- ✓Mathematical & Numerical Reasoning practice
- ✓Verbal Reasoning drills and lessons
- ✓20 Writing tasks with solutions & feedback
- ✓Foundation + Advanced Vocabulary Courses
- ✓50 Poetry-based comprehension tests
- ✓150+ Daily Paragraph Editing exercises
- ✓365 days unlimited access
- ✓Detailed explanations for every question
- ✓Email support
- ✓3 Reading Comprehension tests
- ✓3 Mathematical Reasoning tests
- ✓3 Numerical Reasoning tests
- ✓3 Verbal Reasoning tests
- ✓Detailed explanations for every question
- ✓Performance analytics and progress tracking
- ✓365 days unlimited access
- ✓Email support
- ✓Access 95 solved non-verbal reasoning test papers online
- ✓Expert-designed questions mirroring real exam challenges
- ✓Covers 14 key topics including analogies, matrices, and 3D shapes
- ✓Practice over 1,900 questions with detailed answers
- ✓Boost exam speed, accuracy, and time management skills
- ✓Suitable for all major selective school and scholarship exams in Australia
- ✓Online platform to track progress and review performance
- ✓90 days of unlimited access to all resources
Quick Selector
- For Year 7 entry → EduTest Super Pack (Year 7 Entry) — 400+ practice tests, 20 writing tasks with feedback, Foundation + Advanced Vocabulary courses, Verbal Reasoning Mastery, 50 poetry-based comprehension tests, 150+ daily paragraph editing exercises, 365 days of unlimited access.
- For Year 8, 9 and 10 entry → EduTest Super Pack (Year 9–10 Entry) — same 400+ test depth, calibrated to lower-secondary scholarship difficulty with longer comprehension passages, more abstract reasoning and persuasive writing tasks.
- For Year 11 entry → EduTest Super Pack (Year 11 Entry) — built specifically for senior scholarship candidates, with advanced inference, early-VCE/HSC-level mathematics and sophisticated written expression.
If you are not yet ready to commit to a Super Pack, start with the more focused EduTest Premium ($99) or EduTest Ultimate ($199) — both can be upgraded later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions Parents Ask About EduTest
What is the EduTest exam?
The EduTest is a computer-based standardised entrance exam used by Australian selective schools and independent school scholarship programmes. It tests Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Mathematics and Written Expression across approximately 2.5 hours.
Which schools use EduTest in Australia?
EduTest is used by James Ruse, Baulkham Hills, North Sydney Boys, North Sydney Girls and Sydney Girls High in NSW; QASMT, QACI and QAHS in Queensland; and the majority of independent school scholarship programmes across NSW, VIC, QLD, SA and WA.
How long is the EduTest?
Approximately 2.5 hours including short breaks. Each section runs for around 30 minutes, with the Written Expression task taking 15–25 minutes depending on year level.
How is EduTest scored?
EduTest is scored using percentile rankings, not raw marks. Each section is reported individually, then schools combine them (often with weightings) to rank candidates. Top selective schools typically expect 95th percentile and above.
What percentile do I need for James Ruse or QASMT?
Realistically, students offered places at James Ruse Agricultural High School or QASMT score in the 97th–99th percentile across all sections, with particularly strong Mathematics and Reading scores.
When is the EduTest sat?
EduTest dates depend on the school. Most independent school scholarship sittings happen in February or May the year before entry. NSW selective schools using EduTest follow a separate timetable. Always check each school's website.
How much does it cost to sit the EduTest?
Sitting fees vary by school and entry year, typically $70–$120 per sitting. Scholarship-only candidates often sit a single combined test that covers multiple schools.
How early should my child start preparing?
For optimal results, 12–18 months before the test date. Six months can work for already-strong students, but most families underestimate how much vocabulary and reasoning practice is needed.
What is the hardest section of EduTest?
Most students find Verbal Reasoning hardest because it relies on advanced vocabulary and abstract reasoning under tight time pressure. Written Expression is the second hardest due to the combination of creativity, structure and grammar in 15–25 minutes.
Can my child sit EduTest more than once?
Generally yes — different schools run separate sittings, and your child can sit at multiple schools in the same year. However, many schools accept a single EduTest result across the system, so check before paying for multiple sittings.
Is the EduTest the same as the NSW Selective Test?
No. The NSW Selective High Schools Test is built by Cambridge for the NSW Department of Education. EduTest is a separate exam built by Edutest Pty Ltd, used by a different (but overlapping) set of schools.
Is EduTest harder than ACER?
Different, not harder. EduTest tends to have more questions in less time, so speed matters more. ACER often has slightly longer, more complex reading passages. Schools choose between them — your child should prepare for the test their target schools actually use.
Can my child use a calculator?
No. Calculators are not permitted in EduTest. All Mathematics and Numerical Reasoning sections must be completed mentally or with rough working on provided paper.
What is a good EduTest writing score?
Top scoring writing typically combines a clear structure (introduction, development, resolution), specific and varied vocabulary, controlled grammar, and a memorable opening or image. Length matters less than quality.
How do BrainTree's EduTest courses help?
BrainTree's EduTest Super Packs include 400+ practice tests, 20 writing tasks with feedback, vocabulary mastery, verbal reasoning mastery, poetry comprehension, daily paragraph editing and 365 days of unlimited access — built specifically for the year of entry.
For 40+ further detailed FAQs covering test-day logistics, scoring nuances, scholarship strategy and more, visit our EduTest FAQ page.
Your Next Step
The families who succeed at EduTest are not the ones who panic three months out. They are the ones who start early, practice consistently, and use realistic full-length mock tests to build genuine exam confidence.
If you are ready to begin, your three best next steps are:
- Start free — try our free mock tests to get a baseline.
- Read the hub — explore the EduTest selective school & scholarship exam hub for everything in one place.
- Choose a Super Pack — pick the year-level pack that matches your child's entry point: Year 7 · Year 9–10 · Year 11.
BrainTree Coaching Australia has supported thousands of Australian families through selective and scholarship preparation. We would be honoured to help yours.
Related Guides
- EduTest Selective School & Scholarship Exam Hub — every Edutest resource in one place
- EduTest Exam Format & Structure — full breakdown of all 5 sections
- EduTest Preparation Strategies — 12-month plan and section-specific methods
- EduTest Practice Resources — 10,000+ questions and 50+ mock tests
- EduTest Test Day Guide — checklist, arrival, timing and stress management
- EduTest Results & Interpretation — score interpretation and next steps
- EduTest FAQ — 40+ detailed answers to parent questions
- HAST vs EduTest: Queensland Comparison — which test does your child face?
- EduTest Practice Questions for Queensland Academies — free practice and resource guide
Last updated: 11 May 2026. Test format information reflects the current EduTest specifications published by Edutest Pty Ltd. Always verify application dates, fees and exact requirements directly with your target school.