NSW Selective Schools Using EduTest

A common point of confusion for NSW families is the difference between the government selective schools test and EduTest. NSW government selective high schools use the Selective High School Placement Test, which the NSW Department of Education administers and Cambridge Assessment delivers. EduTest, by contrast, is an assessment from Edutest Pty Ltd used by many independent and private schools for scholarship and entrance selection. The practical consequence is simple: if your child is sitting for a government selective high school, prepare for the Department's test; if they are applying for a scholarship or place at an independent school, check whether that school uses EduTest before you plan any practice.

Many independent schools across NSW use EduTest for scholarship applications and entrance assessment, including a range of Anglican, Catholic and independent schools. Because the specific exam a school uses can change from year to year, and some schools use ACER or their own assessment instead, always confirm the current test directly with the school you are applying to before buying any practice material. A quick phone call or a check of the school's scholarship page is the most reliable way to be sure you are preparing for the right paper.

EduTest assesses five areas: verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, reading comprehension, mathematics and written expression. The NSW selective test covers reading, mathematical reasoning, thinking skills and a writing task. The formats, scoring and administering bodies differ, so practice built for one is only a partial fit for the other. The overlap is real — both reward reading comprehension, mathematical reasoning and timed writing — but the thinking-skills emphasis of the government test and the five-part structure of EduTest mean a focused plan beats a generic one.

Effective EduTest preparation covers all five areas with timed practice under exam conditions, because a child who is strong in numeracy but under-practised in written expression can still miss a scholarship place. Start with a baseline sample paper, build a weekly routine across the five sections, and treat reviewing every mistake as more valuable than sitting extra papers. Our EduTest preparation hub sets out the five sections in detail, and our EduTest practice resources guide covers where to find sample papers and how many mocks to sit.