"Once we understood exactly what types of questions appear on the selective test — and why they're designed that way — our son stopped feeling anxious and started feeling prepared. He went from dreading the test to actually enjoying the challenge." — Sarah T., Parent of a 2025 Offer Recipient, Sydney
Data Sources & Accuracy
Official Sources Cited:
- NSW Department of Education — Selective High School Placement Test — Official test structure and format
- Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing — Test developer from 2023 onwards
- BrainTree Coaching — Preparation experience across NSW selective school programmes
Last verified: February 2026 | Next review: August 2026
NSW Selective Test Questions: Your Complete 2026 Reference Guide
The NSW Selective High School Placement Test is the gateway to 47 selective and partially selective government high schools across New South Wales. But for many families, the most pressing question isn't which school to target — it's what questions will actually appear on the day.
Understanding the exact types of selective test questions your child will face is the foundation of effective preparation. When you know what Reading questions look like, how Mathematical Reasoning problems are framed, what Thinking Skills questions actually demand, and what the Writing prompt expects — you can prepare with precision rather than anxiety.
This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of every question type across all four components of the NSW selective test, complete with example questions, scoring information, timing strategies, and expert preparation advice.
In this guide, you'll discover:
- The complete NSW selective test format — 4 components, weightings, and question counts for 2026
- Reading component questions explained — text types, question categories, and what examiners are looking for
- Mathematical Reasoning sample questions — problem types, difficulty levels, and strategic approaches
- Thinking Skills questions demystified — verbal and quantitative reasoning with worked examples
- Writing component guidance — prompt types, marking criteria, and how to maximise your score
- Time management by component — exactly how long to spend on each question
- Scoring and how results are calculated — understanding placement scores and what they mean
- Practice question strategies — how to use sample questions most effectively
Navigate directly to the component or strategy most relevant to you
Click any section above to jump directly to that content
The 2026 Selective Test Format Overview
Before diving into specific question types, it's essential to understand the overall structure of the test your child will sit. From 2026, the NSW Selective High School Placement Test is fully computer-based — a significant shift from the previous paper-based format.
NSW Selective Test 2026: At a Glance
Four equally-weighted components, approximately 150 minutes total
Components
Reading, Maths, Thinking Skills, Writing
Total Minutes
Across all components plus breaks
Each Component
Equally weighted in placement score
Computer-Based
Keyboard and mouse from 2026
The four components and their approximate timing are:
- Reading — approximately 40 minutes, 35 questions
- Mathematical Reasoning — approximately 40 minutes, 35 questions
- Thinking Skills — approximately 40 minutes, 40 questions
- Writing — approximately 30 minutes, 1 extended writing task
Each component contributes equally (25%) to your child's total placement score. This equal weighting is important: there are no easy wins by focusing on one component alone. A strong overall performance across all four areas is the pathway to competitive placement.
Computer-Based Test: What This Means for Preparation
The fully computer-based format has practical implications. Your child will type their Writing response (not handwrite it), read passages on-screen, and navigate between questions using a mouse or keyboard. Ensure practice sessions include computer-based mock tests so the interface is familiar on test day. For more details, see our NSW Selective Test 2026 key dates and registration guide.
Reading Component Questions
What the Reading Component Tests
The Reading component of the NSW selective test assesses far more than whether your child can read — it evaluates the depth and quality of their comprehension. Questions span a range of cognitive demands, from straightforward literal understanding to sophisticated inference and critical analysis.
Students encounter multiple text passages across the 40-minute section. These passages vary in:
- Genre — fiction, non-fiction, persuasive writing, informational texts, poetry
- Length — short to medium-length passages (approximately 300–600 words)
- Complexity — vocabulary, sentence structure, and conceptual depth are deliberately challenging
- Topic — topics are purposely unfamiliar to level the playing field across students from different backgrounds
The Four Categories of Reading Questions
NSW selective school test questions in the Reading component generally fall into four main categories:
1. Literal Comprehension These questions ask about information explicitly stated in the passage. While they appear straightforward, selective test versions often require students to locate specific information within a longer passage efficiently.
Example question type: "According to the text, what was the main reason the researcher began her study?"
2. Inference and Implied Meaning Inference questions are the most frequently appearing and most challenging question type. Your child must read between the lines — understanding what the author implies but doesn't state directly.
Example question type: "What does the author's choice of language in paragraph three suggest about her attitude towards the subject?"
3. Vocabulary in Context These questions present a specific word or phrase from the passage and ask for its meaning as used in that context — not a dictionary definition. Students who rely on memorised vocabulary lists rather than contextual reading skills often struggle with this type.
Example question type: "In paragraph two, the word 'resilient' most likely means..."
4. Critical Analysis and Evaluation Higher-order questions that ask students to evaluate the author's argument, identify the text's purpose, recognise bias or perspective, or compare information across different sections.
Example question type: "Which of the following best describes the author's purpose in this passage?"
What Strong Reading Answers Look Like
Examiners designing selective test sample questions for the Reading component are looking for students who:
- Return to the text to locate evidence rather than relying on memory
- Understand the difference between what the author says and what the author implies
- Can interpret tone, mood, and authorial intent from word choice and structure
- Read quickly enough to complete all passages without sacrificing accuracy
Reading Preparation Strategy
The single most effective preparation strategy for Reading is reading widely across diverse text types. Fiction, news articles, opinion pieces, science writing, and historical accounts all appear in the test. Practise asking "What is the author suggesting here?" and "What evidence supports this?" after every paragraph. See our guide to NSW selective school test components for detailed strategies.
Mathematical Reasoning Questions
What Mathematical Reasoning Tests
The Mathematical Reasoning component is frequently the area where students feel most uncertain about what to expect. The name itself can be misleading — this is not a test of computation speed or curriculum knowledge. Instead, it assesses a student's ability to think mathematically about unfamiliar problems.
The emphasis is on reasoning processes:
- Pattern recognition
- Multi-step logical thinking
- Applying known concepts to novel situations
- Filtering relevant from irrelevant information
Your child should be comfortable with Year 5–6 mathematics, but the application of that knowledge — not the knowledge itself — is what the test measures.
The Main Types of Mathematical Reasoning Questions
1. Number and Algebra Problems These questions involve numerical reasoning, arithmetic patterns, and basic algebraic thinking. They often present word problems where the challenge is setting up the calculation correctly, not performing the calculation itself.
Example question type: "A pattern of tiles follows this rule: each row has 3 more tiles than the row above. The first row has 4 tiles. How many tiles are in the 7th row?"
2. Pattern and Sequence Questions Students are given a sequence of numbers or shapes and asked to identify the rule governing the pattern, then apply it to find a missing element or the next item.
Example question type: "What comes next in this sequence: 2, 6, 12, 20, 30, ___?"
3. Word Problems with Multiple Steps These are the questions that reward genuine mathematical thinkers. Students must read carefully, identify the relevant information, plan an approach, and execute multiple steps — all under time pressure.
Example question type: "Emma earns $12 per hour for the first 8 hours she works and $18 per hour after that. If she works 11 hours, how much does she earn in total?"
4. Spatial and Geometric Reasoning Questions involving shape, area, perimeter, symmetry, or spatial arrangement. Some questions present 2D representations of 3D objects and ask students to visualise or count elements.
Example question type: "A rectangle has an area of 48 cm² and a perimeter of 28 cm. What is the length of the longer side?"
5. Data and Probability Students interpret graphs, tables, and charts to answer questions or solve problems. These often appear simple but require careful reading of axes, scales, and labels.
Example question type: "The bar graph shows the number of books read by five students. How many more books did the student who read the most read than the average for all five students?"
Mathematical Reasoning: What Separates Strong from Weak Answers
The highest-scoring students on the NSW selective questions in Mathematical Reasoning share these habits:
- They read each question twice before attempting it
- They estimate first to check whether their answer is in the right range
- They eliminate wrong answers using logic when the direct approach isn't clear
- They move on quickly from questions they're stuck on, returning later if time allows
Calculator-Free Zone
No calculators are permitted in the NSW Selective Test Mathematical Reasoning component. Questions are designed so that mental arithmetic is manageable — the real challenge is the reasoning, not the computation. Encourage regular mental maths practice as part of your preparation routine.
Thinking Skills Questions
What Thinking Skills Tests
The Thinking Skills component is unique to the NSW Selective High School Placement Test — it's not a component found in the HAST or Edutest. Developed by Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing, this section evaluates verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning using question types that are deliberately unfamiliar to most students.
This is often the component families feel least prepared for, because it genuinely doesn't resemble typical school work. Understanding the question types in advance is one of the most valuable preparations you can undertake.
Thinking Skills Component Breakdown
Two question types, approximately 40 minutes total
Verbal Reasoning Qs
Word-based logic and argument analysis
Quantitative Reasoning Qs
Data, numbers, and logical deduction
Minutes
Approximately 1 minute per question
Of Total Score
Equal weighting with other components
Verbal Reasoning Question Types
1. Critical Thinking and Argument Analysis Students read a short passage containing an argument or conclusion, then answer questions about the reasoning within it. Questions may ask which statement weakens or strengthens an argument, what assumption underlies the conclusion, or what can be validly inferred.
Example question type: "A school decides to ban all soft drinks from the canteen because they contain sugar. Which of the following statements, if true, would most weaken the school's decision?"
2. Logical Deduction Given a set of statements or conditions, students must determine what must be true, what could be true, or what cannot be true. These questions reward systematic thinking over quick intuitive responses.
Example question type: "All members of the chess club also play tennis. Some tennis players also play basketball. Jorge plays chess. What can be concluded about Jorge?"
3. Analogies and Relationships Students identify the relationship between a pair of words or concepts and apply the same relationship to a new pair. These test abstract verbal reasoning rather than vocabulary knowledge specifically.
Example question type: "Photograph is to camera as painting is to ___?"
Quantitative Reasoning Question Types
1. Data Interpretation Students extract and manipulate information from tables, graphs, or charts to answer specific questions. The data presentations are often deliberately complex, requiring careful reading before calculations can be attempted.
Example question type: "The table shows monthly sales figures for three products. In which month was the combined sales total closest to the annual average?"
2. Number Patterns and Logical Sequences Similar to Mathematical Reasoning but with a stronger emphasis on identifying abstract relationships and rules governing sequences of numbers, codes, or symbols.
3. Spatial Reasoning Visual puzzles requiring students to rotate, reflect, or manipulate shapes mentally. These questions don't require mathematical knowledge — they require the ability to think in three dimensions.
Example question type: "Which of the following shapes cannot be made by folding this net?"
Why Thinking Skills Questions Catch Students Out
Many students encounter NSW selective school test questions in the Thinking Skills component for the first time on test day — and it shows in their performance. The question formats look unlike anything in their school curriculum, and the time pressure (roughly one minute per question) leaves little room for confusion.
The good news: Thinking Skills can be prepared for effectively. The question types are consistent even though the specific content varies. Students who practise these question formats extensively develop a fluency that dramatically improves both speed and accuracy.
Thinking Skills Practice Approach
When practising Thinking Skills questions, prioritise understanding why an answer is correct over simply identifying it. The underlying logical principles appear repeatedly across different questions. For Verbal Reasoning, practise identifying conclusion, premise, and assumption in short arguments. For Quantitative Reasoning, practise reading data carefully before attempting any calculations. Our selective test practice papers guide covers how to structure your practice effectively.
Writing Component Questions
What the Writing Component Assesses
The Writing component (approximately 30 minutes) is the only free-response section of the NSW selective test. Your child receives a writing prompt and must produce a complete, quality piece of writing within the time limit — typed into the computer.
This is assessed by qualified human markers, not by automated software. Markers evaluate:
- Ideas and content — originality, depth of thinking, relevance to the prompt
- Structure and organisation — clear introduction, logical development, satisfying conclusion
- Vocabulary — range, precision, appropriateness
- Sentence variety — mix of short and long sentences, varied sentence openings
- Grammar, spelling, and punctuation — technical accuracy (but this is not the most heavily weighted criterion)
Types of Writing Prompts
NSW selective school test questions for the Writing component typically fall into three categories:
1. Narrative / Creative Writing Your child is given a stimulus — an image, a story opening, or a scenario — and asked to continue or develop it into a complete story.
Example prompt type: "You open a door that has always been locked. Write the story of what you find."
2. Persuasive / Argumentative Writing Your child takes a position on a topic and argues for it using evidence, reasoning, and rhetorical techniques.
Example prompt type: "Every student should learn a musical instrument at school. Do you agree or disagree? Write a persuasive essay giving your views."
3. Reflective / Discursive Writing Less structured than persuasive writing, these prompts invite your child to explore ideas, experiences, or perspectives in a thoughtful, organised way.
Example prompt type: "Write about a time when you had to make a difficult choice. What did you learn from the experience?"
What Markers Are Looking For
The selective test writing questions reward students who:
- Plan before they write. Even two minutes of planning produces more organised, coherent writing than diving straight in.
- Start with an engaging opening. The first sentence sets the tone and immediately signals to a marker whether they're reading a competent piece.
- Develop ideas with depth. Markers reward specificity over generality. A concrete example or vivid detail outweighs three vague statements.
- Vary their sentence structure. Short, punchy sentences for impact. Longer sentences for complexity and nuance. Varied openings that avoid "I" as the first word of every sentence.
- Conclude deliberately. The final paragraph should feel purposeful, not like the student simply ran out of time.
"In the Writing component, planning is not a luxury — it is what separates a B response from an A response. Students who spend two to three minutes organising their ideas before writing consistently produce more coherent, compelling work than those who start immediately."
NSW Selective School Preparation Specialists
Typing vs Handwriting: A 2026 Consideration
Because the Writing component is now completed on computer, typing speed and accuracy are relevant to performance. A student who types 30+ words per minute has a meaningful advantage over one who types 15 words per minute within the same 30-minute window. Incorporating typing practice into preparation is worthwhile — not to replace writing skill development, but to ensure typing mechanics don't become a bottleneck.
Scoring and Placement
How the Selective Test is Scored
Understanding how NSW selective questions are scored is important context for preparation. The NSW Selective High School Placement Test does not report a simple percentage score. Instead, scores are statistically processed to generate a placement score used to rank students across all applicants.
Key points about scoring:
- Each component is scored separately, then the four component scores are combined with equal weighting
- Scores are standardised — your child's raw score is converted to a scaled score that accounts for any differences in test difficulty between years
- The final placement score is used to rank all applicants who nominated each specific school
What "selective test sample questions" tell you about scoring: Sample questions and official practice materials are calibrated to represent the difficulty level of actual test questions. If your child struggles with certain question types in practice, that's precisely the signal you need to direct additional preparation time.
Placement and School Offers
Understanding Selective Test Placement Outcomes
How scores translate to school placement
| Feature | Option 1 | Option 2 | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top-Ranked Schools | Sydney Boys, James Ruse, North Sydney Girls | Historically very high placement scores required | Highly competitive — all four components must be strong |
| Mid-Tier Selective Schools | Various selective schools across NSW | Competitive but broader range of qualifying scores | Strong in 3 of 4 components often sufficient |
| Partially Selective Schools | Schools with a selective stream within a comprehensive school | Entry score requirements are generally lower | Good option if placement score is moderate |
| Geographic Preferences | Students rank up to 3 schools | Placement considers both score and school preferences | School choice strategy matters alongside preparation |
For a detailed breakdown of how selective school placement works and what scores are competitive, see our NSW selective school entry complete guide.
Time Management by Component
One of the most consequential aspects of selective test preparation is developing effective time management strategies for each component. The pressure of the clock affects nearly every student, and those with a clear pacing plan consistently outperform those who improvise.
Reading: ~1 Minute 8 Seconds Per Question
With approximately 35 questions in 40 minutes, you have just over a minute per question — but this timing interacts with the passage-reading time.
Recommended approach:
- Skim the questions briefly before reading each passage (30 seconds) — this tells you what to look for
- Read the passage carefully but don't re-read every line (2–3 minutes per passage)
- Answer questions immediately after reading each passage while it's fresh
- Flag and skip questions that require significant re-reading — return to them at the end
Mathematical Reasoning: ~1 Minute 8 Seconds Per Question
Same ratio as Reading, but the time allocation within that minute looks different.
Recommended approach:
- Read each question fully before doing any calculations (15 seconds)
- Estimate the answer range before solving — it helps catch errors
- If a question takes more than 90 seconds, flag and move on immediately
- Use the final 3–5 minutes to return to flagged questions
Thinking Skills: ~1 Minute Per Question
The fastest paced component, with approximately 40 questions in 40 minutes.
Recommended approach:
- Verbal Reasoning questions: read the argument structure first, then the question
- Quantitative Reasoning data questions: read the question first, then extract only the relevant data
- Never spend more than 75 seconds on any single question — there's no partial credit for a partially answered question
- Educated guessing is better than leaving a question blank
Writing: ~30 Minutes Total
Unlike the other components, Writing is about quality within a fixed window — not individual question timing.
Recommended approach:
30-Minute Writing Plan
Minute 1–3: Analyse and Plan
Read the prompt carefully. Identify the task type (narrative, persuasive, reflective). Jot 3–4 bullet points covering your main idea, key supporting points, and intended ending. Do not start writing yet.
Minutes 3–8: Introduction
Write an engaging opening that establishes your voice, tone, and direction. For narrative writing, plunge the reader into the scene. For persuasive writing, state your position clearly with confidence. Aim for 80–120 words.
Minutes 8–22: Body Development
Develop your main ideas with depth, specificity, and variation. Each paragraph should advance the piece — no filler sentences. Use a variety of sentence lengths and structures. Aim for 3–4 body paragraphs.
Minutes 22–28: Conclusion
Write a deliberate conclusion that provides a satisfying sense of completion. Don't trail off or simply repeat your introduction. Aim for 60–80 words.
Minutes 28–30: Review
Read through for obvious errors: spelling, punctuation, grammar. Fix any sentences that don't make sense. You won't have time to rewrite — focus on high-impact corrections only.
Time Management Practice
Timing yourself during every single practice session — not just occasional full mock tests — is the most effective way to develop pacing instincts. Use a visible countdown timer and deliberately practise transitioning between questions rather than pausing to think about transitions. Refer to our selective school success strategies guide for additional time management techniques.
How to Use Practice Questions Effectively
Having access to selective test practice questions is only the beginning. How your child uses those questions determines whether their preparation translates into genuine improvement.
The Three-Stage Practice Method
Effective Practice Question Strategy
Stage 1: Diagnostic Practice (Untimed)
Objectives
- Understand the question formats for each component
- Identify which component types are strongest and weakest
- Build familiarity without the pressure of time constraints
Key Activities
- Complete one section of practice questions without timing
- Check every answer, right or wrong, and understand why
- Categorise each error: wrong question type understanding, calculation error, or time-management issue
- List the specific question types that caused the most difficulty
Stage 2: Timed Component Practice
Objectives
- Build pacing awareness for each component
- Develop strategies for flagging and returning to difficult questions
- Improve accuracy under time pressure without sacrificing quality
Key Activities
- Complete one component under strict exam timing conditions
- Practise the question-flagging strategy to avoid time loss
- Review errors with emphasis on time-pressure mistakes vs knowledge gaps
- Target the weakest question types with focused mini-sessions
Stage 3: Full Mock Test Simulations
Objectives
- Simulate the full test experience from start to finish
- Build stamina for the approximately 150-minute duration
- Refine time management across all four components in sequence
Key Activities
- Complete all four components in order under timed conditions
- Simulate test-day conditions: quiet room, no distractions, timer running
- Review results systematically across all components
- Reduce mock test frequency in final week — rest matters more than late practice
Choosing Quality Practice Questions
Not all selective test sample questions are created equal. The test format changed significantly in 2023 (Cambridge Assessment now develops it) and again with the move to fully computer-based delivery in 2026. Practice materials that predate these changes may prepare your child for a test that no longer exists.
Look for practice materials that:
- Match the current four-component structure (Reading, Maths, Thinking Skills, Writing)
- Include Thinking Skills questions in the Cambridge Assessment format
- Are designed for computer-based administration
- Come from reputable providers who update materials regularly
For a comprehensive guide to selecting and using practice materials, see our selective test practice papers 2026 guide.
The Error Log: Your Most Powerful Practice Tool
Every practice session should produce an error log — a record of every question your child got wrong, categorised by type:
- Careless errors — the child knew how to answer but made a mistake
- Strategy errors — the child approached the question incorrectly
- Knowledge gaps — the child lacked the underlying skill required
- Time pressure errors — the child ran out of time or rushed
Each category demands a different response. Careless errors need slow, deliberate practice. Strategy errors need worked examples. Knowledge gaps need targeted skill building. Time pressure errors need pacing practice.
Weekly Practice Session Checklist
- ✓Set a visible timer before starting each practice session
- ✓Complete practice in one sitting without interruptions
- ✓Check every answer — including the ones you got right (to confirm your reasoning was correct)
- ✓Record every error in your error log with the category and question type
- ✓Spend equal time reviewing errors as completing questions
- ✓Prioritise the weakest component in each week's practice
- ✓Include at least one timed Writing practice each week
- ✓Complete one full mock test per fortnight once you reach the mid-preparation phase
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of questions are on the NSW selective test?
The NSW Selective High School Placement Test has four components: Reading (inference, vocabulary, and critical analysis questions), Mathematical Reasoning (problem-solving, patterns, and word problems), Thinking Skills (verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning), and Writing (one extended piece of writing from a prompt). All multiple-choice sections are answered via computer; the Writing component is typed.
How many questions are on the NSW selective test?
Approximately 145 questions in total across the three multiple-choice components (about 35 each for Reading and Mathematical Reasoning, approximately 40 for Thinking Skills), plus one extended writing task. The Writing task is not measured in "questions" but in quality of response.
Are selective test questions harder than school work?
Selective test questions are not necessarily "harder" in terms of content — they require Year 5–6 level knowledge at most. What makes them challenging is the way the questions are framed: they test reasoning and application in unfamiliar contexts rather than recall of learned material. A student who excels in school but hasn't practised this type of reasoning may find the test more challenging than expected.
Can I get past selective test questions to practise with?
The NSW Department of Education releases selective test sample questions through official channels, and past papers from before 2023 are available through some providers. However, because the test changed significantly in 2023 (new developer, new format) and again with full computer-based delivery in 2026, older past papers should be used with caution. Practise with current-format materials first. See our selective test practice papers guide for a breakdown of what materials to use.
How are selective test questions marked?
Multiple-choice questions (Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, Thinking Skills) are marked automatically by the computer. Each correct answer receives one mark; there is no penalty for incorrect answers, so guessing is always worthwhile if your child is unsure. The Writing component is assessed by human markers using a standardised rubric covering ideas, structure, vocabulary, sentence variety, and technical accuracy.
How should I prepare my child for Thinking Skills questions?
Thinking Skills is the component most families feel least prepared for, because the question types don't appear in normal school work. The best approach is systematic familiarisation: find practice questions specifically designed in the Cambridge Assessment format, work through them methodically, and focus on understanding why answers are correct or incorrect rather than just drilling for right answers. Critical thinking books, logic puzzles, and argument analysis exercises all build the underlying skills.
What is the hardest component of the selective test?
There's no universal answer — it depends on the individual student's strengths. However, Thinking Skills is often cited as the most unexpected and challenging for students who haven't specifically prepared for it, because its question types are genuinely unlike typical school work. Writing is the component where students who prepare systematically tend to see the biggest relative improvements. Mathematical Reasoning is often strong for students who have done well in school maths, but the reasoning emphasis can still catch them off guard.
How long should my child practise each day for the selective test?
Quality matters more than quantity. 30–45 minutes per day of focused, strategic practice is more effective than two unfocused hours. A daily routine might include 15 minutes of component-specific practice, 10 minutes of writing or reasoning exercises, and 5 minutes reviewing previous errors. On weekends, complete one full timed section or a writing practice. See our NSW selective school test preparation guide for a detailed preparation timeline by year.
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NSW Selective Test Resources
Expert guides and tools to support your selective school preparation
NSW Selective School Test Components Guide
Detailed breakdown of all four test components with expert preparation strategies
Access ResourceSelective Test Practice Papers 2026
How to choose, use, and get maximum value from selective test practice materials
Access ResourceNSW Selective School Entry: Complete Guide
Everything about the NSW selective school application process, eligibility, and placement
Access ResourceSelective Test Key Dates & Registration 2026
Important dates, registration process, and application deadlines for 2026
Access ResourceSelective Writing Test: Practice Samples & Tips
Expert guidance on the Writing component with sample prompts and marking criteria
Access ResourceFree Mock Tests
Access free practice assessments to gauge your child's current readiness across all components
Access ResourceLast updated: 19 February 2026
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