"I assumed my daughter's strong NAPLAN results meant she was ready for the Selective test. It was a wake-up call — they're completely different exams testing completely different things." — Karen L., Parent, Ryde
Official Data Sources
All exam details in this guide are sourced from the NSW Department of Education, ACARA (Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority), and verified against official 2025–2026 documentation. NAPLAN data is sourced from nap.edu.au. Selective High School Placement Test details reflect the current Cambridge Assessment–administered exam format.
NAPLAN vs Selective Test: Two Very Different Exams That Parents Often Confuse
If you're a parent of a primary school student in NSW, you've almost certainly encountered both NAPLAN and the Selective High School Placement Test. Both are major assessments. Both involve reading and mathematics. Both happen during the primary school years.
But that is where the similarities end.
The difference between NAPLAN and the Selective test is fundamental — they exist for entirely different purposes, test different abilities, and produce results that feed into completely separate systems. Yet every year, thousands of parents assume that strong NAPLAN performance means their child is prepared for the Selective test, or worry that poor NAPLAN results will hurt their child's selective school application.
Neither assumption is correct.
This guide provides a clear, thorough comparison of the two assessments so you can understand exactly what each one measures, how they differ, and — critically — why NAPLAN results do not affect selective school entry.
In this guide, you'll discover:
- The fundamental differences between NAPLAN and the Selective test in purpose, format, and scoring
- Why NAPLAN results have absolutely no bearing on selective school placement
- How each test approaches reading and numeracy in fundamentally different ways
- What the Selective test assesses that NAPLAN does not — including thinking skills and writing under pressure
- A side-by-side comparison of timing, structure, and question types
- How to use NAPLAN as a general indicator without over-relying on it
- Practical preparation advice for families targeting selective school entry
Navigate to the section most relevant to your questions about NAPLAN and the Selective test.
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Key Differences at a Glance
Before exploring the detail, here is a comprehensive side-by-side comparison. This table covers the factors parents ask about most when trying to understand how NAPLAN and the Selective test relate to each other — or, more accurately, how they don't.
NAPLAN vs Selective Test: Complete Comparison
Two assessments that serve entirely different purposes in the Australian education system
| Feature | Option 1 | Option 2 | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Purpose | Measure student progress against national curriculum standards | Competitively rank students for selective school placement | Fundamentally different goals |
| Who Takes It | All students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 (mandatory) | Year 6 students who choose to apply (voluntary) | Mandatory vs voluntary |
| What It Tests | Curriculum-based knowledge — what students have learned | Aptitude and reasoning ability — how students think | Knowledge vs reasoning |
| Test Domains / Components | 4: Reading, Writing, Conventions of Language, Numeracy | 4: Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, Thinking Skills, Writing | Different composition |
| Test Format | Adaptive online testing (tailored difficulty) | Computer-based, fixed difficulty (Cambridge Assessment) | Adaptive vs fixed |
| When It's Held | March (9-day test window) | May (single test day) | Two months apart |
| Thinking Skills Component | No — does not test abstract or logical reasoning | Yes — 40 questions, 40 minutes, worth 25% | Selective only |
| Results Format | Proficiency levels: Exceeding, Strong, Developing, Needs Additional Support | Competitive numerical score used for ranking and placement | Standards vs ranking |
| Determines Selective Entry? | No — results are not used for selective school placement | Yes — this is the sole academic assessment for entry | Separate systems entirely |
| Competition Level | Not competitive — measures individual progress | Highly competitive — ~4,248 places for 17,000+ applicants | Progress check vs competition |
| Preparation Recommended? | ACARA does not recommend coaching for NAPLAN | Targeted preparation is widely practised and beneficial | Different expectations |
| Calculator Allowed | No | No | Neither allows calculators |
The single most important row in this table is "Determines Selective Entry?" — and the answer for NAPLAN is an unequivocal no. These are separate systems administered by different bodies for different purposes.
Different Purpose, Different Design
Understanding why each test exists is the key to understanding how they differ.
NAPLAN: A National Progress Check
NAPLAN (National Assessment Program — Literacy and Numeracy) is a national assessment administered to all Australian students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9. It has been conducted annually since 2008 and moved to online adaptive testing in 2023.
NAPLAN measures whether students are meeting national curriculum standards in literacy and numeracy. It is not designed to identify gifted students, rank applicants, or determine entry into any programme. Its purpose is diagnostic — it tells parents, teachers, and schools how a student is tracking against expected benchmarks for their year level.
Results are reported as proficiency levels: Exceeding, Strong, Developing, or Needs Additional Support. These levels indicate where a student sits relative to curriculum expectations, not relative to other students in a competitive pool.
ACARA, the body responsible for NAPLAN, explicitly states that coaching or intensive preparation is not recommended. The test is designed to assess what students have already learned through regular schooling.
The Selective Test: A Competitive Placement Exam
The Selective High School Placement Test serves an entirely different function. It is a voluntary, competitive exam sat by Year 6 students who wish to gain entry to one of NSW's 47 selective high schools (25 fully selective, 22 partially selective) for Year 7.
Unlike NAPLAN, the Selective test is designed to differentiate among high-achieving students. It tests aptitude and reasoning ability rather than curriculum knowledge. The questions are specifically crafted to identify students who demonstrate exceptional analytical thinking, problem-solving capability, and academic potential.
Results are numerical scores used to rank all applicants and allocate approximately 4,248 places among more than 17,000 candidates. This is a zero-sum competition — every place awarded to one student is a place unavailable to another.
"NAPLAN asks: 'Has this student learned what the curriculum expects?' The Selective test asks: 'Can this student outperform thousands of other high-achieving applicants in reasoning and analytical thinking?' They are answering fundamentally different questions."
Academic Assessment Team
Does NAPLAN Affect Selective School Entry?
No. NAPLAN results do not affect selective school entry in any way.
This is the single most common misconception we encounter from parents, and it's worth addressing clearly and directly.
The Selective High School Placement Test is the sole academic assessment used to determine selective school placement in NSW. It is a completely separate exam, administered by a different testing body (Cambridge Assessment, on behalf of the NSW Department of Education), at a different time of year (May, compared to NAPLAN's March window), and testing different skills.
NAPLAN results are not submitted as part of a selective school application. They are not reviewed by the selection committee. They do not contribute to, modify, or influence a student's selective placement score in any way.
Clearing Up the Biggest Myth
Your child's NAPLAN results — whether Exceeding, Strong, Developing, or Needs Additional Support — have zero impact on their selective school application. The two systems do not share data for placement purposes. A student who scores "Exceeding" in every NAPLAN domain still needs to sit and perform well in the Selective High School Placement Test to gain entry. Conversely, a student with modest NAPLAN results can absolutely succeed in the Selective test if they have strong reasoning abilities.
Why the Confusion Exists
The confusion is understandable. Both tests assess literacy and numeracy. Both happen during primary school. Both are administered by government bodies. And many parents receive their child's NAPLAN results and naturally wonder: "Does this tell me anything about our chances for selective school?"
The answer is nuanced. NAPLAN can give you a very general sense of your child's academic level, but it cannot predict Selective test performance because the tests measure fundamentally different things. A child can achieve "Exceeding" in NAPLAN — demonstrating strong curriculum mastery — while still finding the Selective test challenging because it assesses reasoning and aptitude that go well beyond what the curriculum teaches.
The reverse is also true. Some children with exceptional reasoning abilities do not produce outstanding NAPLAN results because their strengths lie in abstract thinking and problem-solving rather than curriculum-aligned knowledge recall.
Format and Structure Compared
Let's look at exactly what each test contains and how it is structured.
NAPLAN Structure (4 Domains)
NAPLAN assesses students across four domains:
- Reading: Comprehension of various text types, tested through multiple-choice and selected-response questions
- Writing: One extended writing task (narrative or persuasive, depending on the year)
- Conventions of Language: Spelling, grammar, and punctuation — curriculum-aligned questions
- Numeracy: Number, measurement, geometry, statistics, and probability — curriculum-aligned questions
NAPLAN uses adaptive online testing (also called tailored testing). This means the difficulty of questions adjusts based on a student's responses — if a student answers correctly, subsequent questions become harder; if they answer incorrectly, subsequent questions become easier. This approach allows the test to accurately pinpoint each student's proficiency level.
Tests are conducted over a 9-day window in March, giving schools flexibility in scheduling.
Selective Test Structure (4 Components)
The Selective High School Placement Test has four equally weighted components:
- Reading: 17 questions (including 3 multi-part items), 45 minutes — worth 25%
- Mathematical Reasoning: 35 questions, 40 minutes — worth 25%
- Thinking Skills: 40 questions, 40 minutes — worth 25%
- Writing: 1 extended response task, 30 minutes — worth 25%
The Selective test uses a fixed difficulty level — all students receive the same questions. There is no adaptive element. This creates a uniform benchmark against which all applicants can be fairly ranked.
The test is held on a single day in May, and all applicants sit the same paper under the same conditions at external test centres.
By the Numbers
Key facts about NAPLAN and the Selective High School Placement Test
NAPLAN Coverage
Mandatory for every student in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 across Australia
Selective Applicants
Competing for approximately 4,248 places across 47 schools
Selective Test Duration
Across 4 components: Reading, Maths, Thinking Skills, Writing
NAPLAN's Impact on Selective
NAPLAN results play no role in selective school placement
Reading and Numeracy: Same Skills, Different Tests
Both NAPLAN and the Selective test assess reading and numeracy. But they approach these skills from fundamentally different angles.
Reading: Curriculum Comprehension vs Analytical Reasoning
NAPLAN reading tests whether a student can comprehend texts at the expected curriculum level for their year group. Questions assess literal comprehension, inference, and interpretation — skills that are taught and reinforced throughout regular schooling. The texts and questions are aligned with Australian Curriculum expectations.
Selective reading goes further. Passages are often more complex, and questions require deeper analytical reasoning. Students may need to evaluate an author's purpose, identify subtle rhetorical techniques, synthesise information across multiple sections, or draw inferences that require reading between the lines at a level beyond standard curriculum expectations.
A student who comfortably achieves "Exceeding" in NAPLAN reading has demonstrated strong curriculum-level comprehension. But the Selective reading component demands a level of critical analysis and reasoning under time pressure that NAPLAN does not test.
Numeracy: Curriculum Knowledge vs Mathematical Reasoning
The distinction is even sharper in mathematics.
NAPLAN numeracy tests curriculum-aligned mathematical knowledge. Questions cover number and algebra, measurement, geometry, and statistics — the content students learn in class. A student who pays attention in maths lessons and practises regularly should perform well.
Selective mathematical reasoning is a different proposition. Questions are designed to test how students approach novel problems, not whether they have memorised procedures. Students encounter problems that require creative application of mathematical concepts, multi-step logic, pattern recognition, and spatial reasoning. The emphasis is on reasoning ability rather than computational recall.
This is why some students who achieve "Exceeding" in NAPLAN numeracy find the Selective mathematical reasoning section challenging — and why others who perform modestly in NAPLAN can surprise everyone with strong Selective scores. The tests are measuring overlapping but fundamentally different things.
What This Means for Preparation
If your child consistently achieves strong NAPLAN results, that is an excellent sign of solid academic foundations. But it does not mean they are automatically prepared for the Selective test. Selective preparation must specifically target reasoning, analytical thinking, and problem-solving — skills that go beyond curriculum mastery. Similarly, if your child's NAPLAN results are not in the "Exceeding" band, don't assume the Selective test is out of reach. Many strong reasoners are not captured by curriculum-based assessments.
What the Selective Test Adds
Beyond the differences in how reading and numeracy are tested, the Selective test includes two components that have no equivalent in NAPLAN.
Thinking Skills: The Component NAPLAN Doesn't Have
The Selective test's Thinking Skills section (40 questions, 40 minutes, 25% of the total score) assesses abstract reasoning, logical deduction, pattern recognition, and spatial reasoning. These questions often involve non-verbal stimuli — sequences of shapes, matrices, coded relationships, and visual patterns.
NAPLAN has no equivalent section. There is nothing in the NAPLAN assessment framework that tests abstract or logical reasoning in this way. This means a student preparing solely based on NAPLAN-style content will encounter an entirely unfamiliar question type in the Selective test.
Thinking Skills is often the component that most clearly differentiates students in the Selective test. It cannot be improved through curriculum study alone — it requires dedicated practice with reasoning-style questions.
Writing Under Competitive Pressure
Both NAPLAN and the Selective test include a writing component, but the context is entirely different.
NAPLAN writing is assessed against curriculum proficiency standards. A student's writing is evaluated on whether it meets the expected benchmarks for their year level. The stakes are relatively low — the result informs teachers and parents about a student's writing development but does not determine entry into any programme.
Selective writing is assessed competitively. Every student's response is ranked against thousands of other applicants, and the writing score constitutes 25% of their total placement score. The task must be completed in 30 minutes, requiring a typing speed of approximately 30–35 words per minute.
The competitive context changes everything. A "Strong" NAPLAN writing result demonstrates solid curriculum-level writing ability, but the Selective writing task demands the capacity to produce a polished, structured, persuasive or analytical response under intense time pressure — and have it rank among the best in a pool of more than 17,000 applicants.
Component-by-Component: What Each Test Actually Measures
A closer look at how the same skill areas are tested differently
| Feature | Option 1 | Option 2 | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading Focus | Curriculum-level comprehension aligned to year-group expectations | Analytical reasoning, critical evaluation, and inference beyond curriculum | Different depth |
| Maths / Numeracy Focus | Curriculum knowledge: number, measurement, geometry, statistics | Novel problem-solving, pattern recognition, and multi-step reasoning | Knowledge vs reasoning |
| Thinking Skills | Not assessed | 40 questions testing abstract, logical, and spatial reasoning (25%) | Selective only |
| Writing Context | Assessed against curriculum proficiency standards (diagnostic) | Competitively ranked against 17,000+ applicants (placement) | Diagnostic vs competitive |
| Conventions of Language | Separate domain testing spelling, grammar, and punctuation | No separate section — language accuracy assessed within writing | NAPLAN only as a standalone |
Using NAPLAN Results Wisely
While NAPLAN results don't determine selective entry, they are not irrelevant to your family's planning. Here's how to use them productively — without over-relying on them.
What NAPLAN Results Can Tell You
NAPLAN provides a useful baseline indicator of your child's academic foundations. If your child consistently achieves "Exceeding" or "Strong" results across all domains, it suggests they have solid literacy and numeracy foundations — a necessary (though not sufficient) starting point for Selective test success.
NAPLAN can also highlight specific areas of weakness. A "Developing" result in numeracy, for example, signals that foundational maths skills may need attention before tackling the more demanding mathematical reasoning questions in the Selective test.
What NAPLAN Results Cannot Tell You
NAPLAN cannot assess your child's reasoning ability, abstract thinking, or capacity for novel problem-solving — the very skills the Selective test prioritises. A student achieving "Exceeding" across all NAPLAN domains may still need significant work on thinking skills. A student achieving "Strong" may turn out to be an exceptional abstract reasoner.
NAPLAN also cannot predict how your child will perform under competitive pressure. The Selective test is a high-stakes, single-day exam where every point matters for placement ranking. NAPLAN's lower-stakes, adaptive format creates a very different testing experience.
How to Use NAPLAN Results in Selective Planning
- ✓Treat NAPLAN as a general health check of curriculum-level skills, not a predictor of Selective performance
- ✓Use strong NAPLAN results as confirmation that academic foundations are solid — then build reasoning skills on top
- ✓Use weaker NAPLAN results to identify foundational gaps that need addressing before or during Selective preparation
- ✓Do not assume 'Exceeding' in NAPLAN means your child is ready for the Selective test without further preparation
- ✓Do not assume modest NAPLAN results mean the Selective test is out of reach — reasoning ability is a different skill
- ✓Remember that NAPLAN is adaptive (adjusting to the student), while the Selective test is uniform (same questions for all)
Preparation Strategies for Each Assessment
Given how different these two assessments are, it follows that preparation approaches should differ as well.
Preparing for NAPLAN
ACARA's official position is that intensive coaching for NAPLAN is not recommended. The test is designed to measure what students have already learned through the curriculum. The best preparation is:
- Consistent engagement with regular schooling
- A strong reading habit across diverse text types
- Regular practice with curriculum-aligned maths concepts
- Familiarity with the online testing platform (schools typically provide this)
Some parents choose to do light familiarisation work so their child is comfortable with the test format, and this is reasonable. But extensive NAPLAN-specific preparation is neither necessary nor particularly beneficial — the test is designed to capture curriculum-aligned learning, not to reward additional coaching.
Preparing for the Selective Test
The Selective test, by contrast, is a competitive placement exam where targeted preparation makes a measurable difference. Effective preparation should include:
Selective Test Preparation Approach
Build Reasoning Foundations
Focus on developing analytical thinking, pattern recognition, and problem-solving skills. These are the capabilities the Selective test specifically targets — and they are not adequately developed through curriculum study alone.
Dedicate Time to Thinking Skills
The Thinking Skills component has no NAPLAN equivalent. Students need dedicated practice with abstract reasoning, logical deduction, spatial patterns, and non-verbal sequences. This section rewards practice and familiarity with question types.
Develop Competitive Writing Skills
Move beyond curriculum-level writing. Practise crafting structured, persuasive, and analytical responses within 30-minute time constraints. Focus on argument development, paragraph structure, and editing under pressure.
Build Typing Fluency to 30–35 WPM
The writing task must be typed. Students who cannot type fluently will lose valuable composing time to mechanical keyboard challenges. Start typing practice early — ideally in Year 5 — so it becomes automatic by test day.
Practise Under Exam Conditions
The Selective test is 155 minutes across 4 components in a single sitting. Build stamina through progressively longer practice sessions and full-length mock tests that replicate the actual testing environment.
The critical difference is this: NAPLAN preparation is largely passive (attend school, read widely, stay engaged), while Selective preparation is deliberately targeted at skills and question types that go beyond everyday classroom work.
Timing Your Preparation
NAPLAN is held in March and the Selective test in May — just two months apart. For Year 6 students sitting both assessments in the same year, this timing can feel intense. The good news is that Selective preparation will naturally strengthen curriculum-level skills assessed in NAPLAN, so you don't need separate preparation tracks. Focus your dedicated effort on Selective preparation, and NAPLAN will take care of itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do NAPLAN results affect my child's selective school application?
No. NAPLAN results are completely separate from the selective school placement process. The Selective High School Placement Test is the sole academic assessment used for selective school entry. NAPLAN results are not submitted, reviewed, or considered in any way.
If my child scores "Exceeding" in NAPLAN, does that mean they'll do well in the Selective test?
Not necessarily. "Exceeding" in NAPLAN indicates strong curriculum mastery, which is a solid foundation. However, the Selective test assesses reasoning and aptitude beyond curriculum level, including a Thinking Skills component that NAPLAN does not test. Additional targeted preparation is typically needed regardless of NAPLAN performance.
Can my child succeed in the Selective test with "Strong" (not "Exceeding") NAPLAN results?
Absolutely. Many students who achieve "Strong" in NAPLAN perform very well in the Selective test because they have strong reasoning abilities that a curriculum-based assessment doesn't fully capture. NAPLAN proficiency levels are not a reliable predictor of Selective test performance.
Should I prepare my child for both NAPLAN and the Selective test separately?
For most families, the answer is no — you don't need separate preparation tracks. Selective test preparation develops skills that encompass and exceed what NAPLAN tests. A child who is well-prepared for the Selective test will typically perform well in NAPLAN without additional NAPLAN-specific work.
Is the Selective test harder than NAPLAN?
They are different types of assessment. NAPLAN is adaptive and adjusts to the student's level, meaning every student eventually reaches questions they find challenging. The Selective test is fixed-difficulty and competitive, meaning it is specifically designed to differentiate among high-achieving students. For a high-achieving student, the Selective test is generally more demanding because it assesses reasoning beyond curriculum expectations.
Does my child have to sit NAPLAN if they're preparing for the Selective test?
NAPLAN is mandatory for all students in the assessed year levels (Years 3, 5, 7, and 9). Your child will sit NAPLAN regardless of whether they are also preparing for the Selective test. For Year 6 students, note that NAPLAN is only administered in certain year levels — Year 5 and Year 7, not Year 6. So if your child is in Year 6 sitting the Selective test, they won't have NAPLAN that same year.
Are the reading passages similar in NAPLAN and the Selective test?
Both tests use a range of text types including fiction, non-fiction, and informational texts. However, the Selective test tends to include more complex passages and asks questions that require deeper analytical reasoning, inference, and critical evaluation — going beyond the curriculum-aligned comprehension that NAPLAN assesses.
My child struggles with NAPLAN writing. Should I worry about the Selective writing component?
NAPLAN writing difficulties may indicate areas to develop, but the two writing tasks are assessed very differently. Focus on the specific demands of the Selective writing task: structured arguments, typed fluency, and time management within 30 minutes. Many students who find NAPLAN writing challenging improve dramatically with targeted Selective writing preparation because they learn concrete strategies for planning and structuring responses.
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Resources and Next Steps
Essential Guides for Selective Test Families
Explore these verified resources to plan your child's selective school preparation.
NSW Selective School Entry: Complete Guide
Everything you need to know about the Selective High School Placement Test, from registration to results.
Access ResourceSelective School Preparation Courses
Comprehensive courses covering all four Selective test components including thinking skills and writing.
Access ResourceOpportunity Class Preparation
For younger students — structured courses building the reasoning foundations that carry through to Selective preparation.
Access ResourceFree Mock Tests
Try a free diagnostic test to assess your child's current reasoning level across key Selective test areas.
Access ResourceNSW Selective Schools Directory
Browse all 47 selective schools across NSW including entry requirements and locations.
Access ResourceSelective Test Calculator
Estimate your child's competitive position using our score calculator tool.
Access ResourceRelated Guides
- NSW Selective School Entry: Complete Guide — Detailed guide to the Selective test, registration, and school options
- Selective School Preparation Courses — Comprehensive courses for all four Selective test components
- Opportunity Class Preparation — Build foundational reasoning skills early
- NSW Selective Schools Directory — Explore all 47 selective schools across NSW
- Free Mock Tests — Assess your child's current level with a free diagnostic
Last updated: 26 January 2026