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Comprehensive answers to 50+ frequently asked questions about the Edutest exam for NSW selective schools (Years 8-11 entry)
The Edutest exam is a comprehensive standardized test used by 15+ NSW selective schools (including James Ruse, Baulkham Hills, North Sydney Boys/Girls, and Sydney Girls High) to assess students for Years 8-11 entry. It evaluates five key areas: Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Mathematics, and Written Expression over 150 minutes (2.5 hours).
James Ruse Agricultural High School, Baulkham Hills High School, North Sydney Boys High School, North Sydney Girls High School, Sydney Girls High School, Sydney Boys High School, Hornsby Girls High School, and 8+ other NSW selective schools use Edutest for Years 8-11 lateral entry assessment.
The Selective High School Test is for Year 7 entry and administered by NSW Department of Education, while Edutest is for Years 8-11 lateral entry and administered by Edutest Australia. Edutest has 5 components (including Written Expression) vs 4 in the Selective test, and it's a 150-minute computer-based assessment with adaptive difficulty.
Edutest exams are typically held in Term 3 (August-September) each year for entry the following year. Exact dates vary by school. For 2026 entry, most tests will be held August-September 2025. Check individual school websites for specific dates and application deadlines.
The Edutest exam application fee varies by school but typically ranges from $100-$150 per student. Some schools may offer fee waivers or reductions for families experiencing financial hardship. Check with individual schools for their specific fee structure.
Yes, students can take Edutest in multiple years (Year 8, 9, 10, or 11 entry), but they can only apply once per year. If unsuccessful in Year 8 entry, they can reapply for Year 9 the following year. However, each application requires a new test and fee.
Edutest is generally considered more challenging because it targets older students (Years 8-11 vs Year 7), includes a substantial writing component, and has adaptive difficulty that adjusts to student performance. The verbal and numerical reasoning sections are particularly advanced, requiring sophisticated vocabulary and mathematical thinking.
The Edutest exam is 150 minutes (2.5 hours) of actual testing time, plus approximately 45 minutes of breaks. The total test session runs about 3.5-4 hours from arrival to dismissal, typically 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM.
Edutest has five sections: (1) Verbal Reasoning (30 min, 40-50 questions) - analogies and word relationships, (2) Numerical Reasoning (30 min, 35-45 questions) - number patterns and logic, (3) Reading Comprehension (30 min, 30-35 questions) - analyzing texts, (4) Mathematics (30 min, 30-35 questions) - problem-solving across all strands, and (5) Written Expression (30 min, 1-2 writing tasks) - creative and persuasive writing.
Edutest is entirely computer-based. Students complete all sections on a computer, including the written expression component where they type their responses. This format allows for adaptive difficulty - questions adjust based on student performance during the test.
No, calculators are NOT allowed on any section of Edutest, including the Mathematics and Numerical Reasoning sections. Students must perform all calculations mentally or using scratch paper provided at the test center. This is why strong mental math skills are critical for preparation.
Most students find Verbal Reasoning the most challenging due to sophisticated vocabulary requirements (Year 10-12 level words for Year 8 entry) and complex analogies. Written Expression is also difficult as it requires planning, writing, and editing a polished piece in just 30 minutes. Time pressure is a major factor across all sections.
Each section receives a raw score (correct answers), which is then standardized (mean=100, SD=15) for fair comparison. All 5 sections are weighted equally and averaged to produce an overall Edutest score, typically ranging from 60-140. Scores of 135+ are exceptional (top 1-2%), 125-134 are very strong (top 5-10%), and 115-124 are competitive for most schools.
There is no penalty for unanswered questions, but students receive zero points for questions not attempted. Time management is crucial - it's better to make educated guesses on difficult questions and move forward rather than spending too long on one question. Practice tests help build pacing skills.
Recommended preparation time varies by student level: (1) High-achieving students (consistently top 10% at school): 6-9 months of focused preparation, (2) Above-average students (top 20-30%): 12-18 months, (3) Average students aiming for selective entry: 18-24 months. Consistent practice (4-6 hours/week) is more effective than cramming.
Effective preparation combines: (1) Diagnostic testing to identify weak areas, (2) Targeted skill-building in each of the 5 sections, (3) Vocabulary expansion (15-20 new words weekly), (4) Timed full-length practice tests (monthly), (5) Review of all mistakes with understanding of WHY answers are correct, and (6) Mental math strengthening for calculator-free sections. Professional coaching accelerates progress significantly.
Yes, home preparation is possible but challenging. You'll need: (1) Quality practice materials covering all 5 sections, (2) Understanding of test strategies and question types, (3) Ability to mark and explain complex verbal/numerical reasoning, (4) Time for 4-6 hours weekly practice, and (5) Full-length timed tests to build stamina. Many families combine home practice with professional tutoring for expert guidance on difficult areas.
Recommended resources include: (1) Official Edutest practice tests (if available from schools), (2) Academic assessment company materials (Scholarship Tests, Hendersons, Selective Schools NSW), (3) Advanced reasoning books (CEM, ACER practice tests), (4) Vocabulary builders (Word Power Made Easy, Vocabulary Workshop), (5) Writing guides for persuasive/narrative essays, and (6) Mental math practice apps. Our comprehensive Edutest preparation program includes all these materials plus expert coaching.
Students should complete: (1) Initial diagnostic test (identify baseline), (2) 6-12 sectional practice tests per component (build skills), (3) 8-15 full-length timed mock exams (build stamina and pacing), and (4) Final practice tests 2-4 weeks before exam day (simulate real conditions). Quality matters more than quantity - thoroughly reviewing mistakes is more valuable than rushing through tests.
Tutoring isn't mandatory but significantly improves success rates. BrainTree Coaching students have a 95% selective school placement rate vs 15-20% overall acceptance rates. Professional tutoring provides: (1) Expert strategies for each section, (2) Personalized feedback on writing, (3) Sophisticated verbal/numerical reasoning techniques, (4) Accountability and structured study plans, and (5) Test-taking strategies that parents may not know. Self-motivated students with strong parental support can succeed independently.
Final month priorities: (1) Full-length timed practice tests weekly, (2) Review common mistakes and weak areas, (3) Vocabulary flash card daily review (no new words), (4) Timed writing practice (plan-write-edit in 30 minutes), (5) Mental math drills (10-15 min daily), (6) Test-taking strategy review (time management, educated guessing), and (7) Sleep, nutrition, and stress management. Avoid cramming new content - focus on refining existing skills.
Verbal Reasoning includes: (1) Analogies ("Cat is to Kitten as Dog is to ___"), (2) Classifications (find the word that doesn't belong), (3) Word relationships (synonyms, antonyms, homophones), (4) Word codes (decode patterns), and (5) Verbal logic puzzles. Questions test vocabulary depth, word relationships, and logical thinking with language.
Effective vocabulary building: (1) Learn 15-20 new words weekly in CONTEXT (read sentences, write your own), (2) Focus on high-frequency Edutest words (academic, Greek/Latin roots), (3) Use flashcards with images and example sentences, (4) Read challenging texts (newspapers, advanced novels, National Geographic), (5) Learn word families (roots, prefixes, suffixes), and (6) Review words daily for retention. Vocabulary apps like Quizlet, Memrise, or Vocabulary.com help with spaced repetition.
Edutest verbal reasoning typically tests Year 10-12 level vocabulary for Year 8 entry, including sophisticated academic words, literary terms, and precise synonyms. Examples: "ubiquitous", "ephemeral", "meticulous", "pragmatic", "juxtapose". Students need to understand nuanced differences between similar words (e.g., "sad" vs "melancholy" vs "despondent").
Analogy strategy: (1) Identify the relationship type BEFORE looking at answers (synonym? part-to-whole? category? degree?), (2) Make a clear sentence: "Cat IS A BABY of Dog, so Dog is to PUPPY", (3) Apply the same relationship to answer choices, (4) Eliminate wrong answers, and (5) Verify the best match. Common relationships: synonym/antonym, type/category, part/whole, cause/effect, worker/tool, degree (small/large version).
Numerical Reasoning tests PATTERN RECOGNITION and LOGICAL THINKING with numbers (sequences, number relationships, visual patterns), while Mathematics tests PROBLEM-SOLVING across curriculum strands (fractions, geometry, algebra, data). Numerical Reasoning is often more abstract - you need to find hidden rules rather than apply formulas.
Common patterns include: (1) Arithmetic sequences (+3, +5, +7... or ×2 each time), (2) Geometric sequences (×2, ×3, ×4...), (3) Squares (4, 9, 16, 25...), (4) Cubes (8, 27, 64...), (5) Fibonacci (each = sum of previous two), (6) Prime numbers (2, 3, 5, 7, 11...), (7) Alternating patterns (every other number follows different rule), and (8) Two-step patterns (add then multiply).
Mental math improvement: (1) Daily 10-minute practice (flashcards, apps like Khan Academy, Math Workout), (2) Learn shortcuts (e.g., multiply by 9: multiply by 10 then subtract original), (3) Master times tables to 15×15, (4) Practice breaking complex calculations into easier steps, (5) Estimate first to check reasonableness, and (6) Use number sense (is answer bigger or smaller?). Speed comes from fluency, not memorization.
Reading includes: (1) Literary fiction (character-driven stories, symbolism), (2) Informational texts (science articles, historical accounts), (3) Persuasive writing (opinion pieces, arguments), (4) Poetry (interpretation, imagery, figurative language), and (5) Technical/procedural texts. Passages are above grade level with complex vocabulary and advanced comprehension questions.
Read QUESTIONS FIRST to know what to focus on, then read the passage actively underlining key information. This prevents wasting time on irrelevant details. After reading, return to the TEXT to verify answers - don't rely on memory. For inference questions, eliminate extreme/absolute answers ("always", "never") that aren't supported by the passage.
Mathematics covers all Australian Curriculum strands: (1) Number & Algebra (35%): fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, basic algebra, (2) Measurement & Geometry (30%): area, perimeter, volume, angles, transformations, (3) Statistics & Probability (20%): data interpretation, mean/median/mode, graphs, (4) Problem Solving (15%): multi-step word problems, logical reasoning. Questions are application-based, not just computation.
Word problem strategy: (1) Read carefully and identify what's being asked, (2) Underline key information and numbers, (3) Draw diagrams or visualize the problem, (4) Write out the equation or steps needed, (5) Work through calculations on scratch paper, (6) Check if answer makes logical sense, and (7) Verify units match (cm vs m, hours vs minutes). Time/distance, money, and ratio problems are common.
Students receive 1-2 prompts: (1) Creative/Narrative: Write a story with engaging plot, characters, and resolution (common prompts: dialogue starter, character awakening, mysterious object), or (2) Persuasive: Argumentative essay or letter with clear position and supporting reasons (common topics: school uniforms, technology limits, environmental action). Students choose one prompt and have 30 minutes total.
Writing is assessed on four criteria: (1) Ideas & Content (30%): original ideas, clear theme, well-developed plot/argument, (2) Organization & Structure (25%): logical flow, clear paragraphs, smooth transitions, (3) Language & Vocabulary (25%): varied sentences, sophisticated vocabulary, figurative language, tone, and (4) Conventions (20%): grammar, spelling, punctuation accuracy. Markers look for engaging, polished writing.
The 5-5-15-5 Method maximizes writing quality in 30 minutes: (1) 5 minutes PLANNING: brainstorm plot/arguments, outline structure, identify vocabulary, (2) 5 minutes INTRODUCTION: hook reader with dialogue/question/description, establish setting/position, (3) 15 minutes BODY: develop story/arguments with details, examples, sophisticated language, (4) 5 minutes CONCLUSION + EDITING: wrap up story/argument, proofread for spelling/grammar, upgrade vocabulary. Never skip planning - it prevents weak structure.
Writing improvement: (1) Practice timed 30-minute writes weekly (creative AND persuasive), (2) Learn story structure (exposition, rising action, climax, resolution) and essay structure (introduction, 3 body paragraphs, conclusion), (3) Build "wow words" vocabulary list (vivid verbs, precise adjectives, descriptive adverbs), (4) Study figurative language (similes, metaphors, personification), (5) Read quality examples (award-winning short stories, persuasive essays), and (6) Get feedback from teachers or tutors on structure, language, and conventions.
Choose based on STRENGTH, not preference. If your child: (1) Loves storytelling, has vivid imagination, and enjoys descriptive writing → choose CREATIVE. (2) Prefers logical arguments, likes debates, and excels at structured essays → choose PERSUASIVE. In preparation, practice BOTH types so your child is comfortable with either prompt on test day. Assess which consistently scores higher in practice.
Required items: (1) Photo ID or student card, (2) Admission ticket/confirmation (if provided by school), (3) Pencils/pens for scratch paper notes, (4) Water bottle (clear, no labels), (5) Snack for breaks (quiet food like muesli bar - no crinkly wrappers), and (6) Glasses if needed. NOT allowed: calculators, phones, smartwatches, dictionaries, notes, electronic devices. Leave bags in designated area.
Arrive 20-30 minutes early (typically 8:00-8:15 AM for 8:30 AM start) to allow time for: (1) Finding parking and test center, (2) Sign-in and ID verification, (3) Room assignment, (4) Settling in and using restroom, and (5) Reducing pre-test stress. Late arrivals may not be admitted or may miss important instructions.
No, parents cannot stay in the test room. After drop-off and sign-in, parents typically wait in designated areas (cafeteria, library) or leave and return for pickup around 12:30 PM. Some schools provide parent information sessions during testing. Check your school's specific policy.
If your child is unwell: (1) Contact the school IMMEDIATELY to ask about rescheduling options (policies vary), (2) Provide medical certificate if requesting special consideration, and (3) Be aware that some schools do NOT offer makeup tests - check policy in advance. For minor nerves/stomach ache, reassure your child and encourage them to try - they can take breaks if needed.
Stress management: (1) Good sleep (9-10 hours) the night before, (2) Healthy breakfast with protein and complex carbs, (3) Avoid cramming on test day morning, (4) Arrive early to settle in, (5) Deep breathing if anxious (4-7-8 technique: inhale 4 counts, hold 7, exhale 8), (6) Positive self-talk ("I've prepared well, I'll do my best"), and (7) Remember: one test doesn't define your future. Parents should stay calm and encouraging.
Edutest results are typically released 6-8 weeks after the test date, usually in late October or early November. Schools notify families directly via email or mail with the student's overall score, section scores, and percentile rankings. Results are confidential - not shared publicly.
Competitive scores by school tier: (1) James Ruse, Baulkham Hills: 135+ (top 1-2%), (2) North Sydney Boys/Girls, Sydney Girls/Boys: 125-134 (top 5-10%), (3) Hornsby Girls, other selective schools: 115-124 (top 15-20%). However, cut-offs vary by year based on applicant pool. A score of 120 might be enough in some years but not others.
If your child doesn't meet the cut-off: (1) They remain at their current school (not a failure - many excellent comprehensive high schools exist), (2) They can reapply next year for the following year entry (if applying for Year 8, can try Year 9 entry), (3) Consider partially selective schools or schools with academic programs, and (4) Continue academic development - selective school is one path, not the only path to success.
Appeal processes vary by school. Some schools allow: (1) Clerical check (verify scores calculated correctly), or (2) Special consideration for extenuating circumstances (illness, emergency on test day with medical certificate). Re-marking of test responses is rarely allowed. Check your school's specific appeal policy in the admission information.
Application strategy: (1) Review each school's historical cut-off scores (if available), (2) Consider location and travel time (2+ hours daily commute impacts wellbeing), (3) Research school culture, programs, and values (not just academic ranking), (4) Apply to 2-4 schools with varying competitiveness (1 reach, 1-2 targets, 1 safety), and (5) Visit schools on open days to assess fit. Academic results matter, but so does your child's happiness and development.
If offered multiple placements: (1) Compare academic programs and specializations, (2) Consider school culture and values alignment, (3) Assess travel time and logistics, (4) Visit both schools again, talk to current students/parents, (5) Discuss with your child - THEIR preference matters, and (6) Accept one offer by the deadline (usually 1-2 weeks). You cannot hold multiple offers. Choose the best overall fit, not just the highest-ranked school.
Join 300+ students who have achieved selective school success with our expert Edutest preparation program.