Free NSW selective school practice tests, full-length selective mock tests and past selective test papers from 2021 to 2024 — including the 2024 selective test paper that mirrors the current computer-based format. Each selective practice test covers Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, Thinking Skills and Writing with full answers, marking criteria and worked explanations. Built specifically for Year 6 students sitting the NSW Selective High School Placement Test in 2026.
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Authentic NSW Department of Education selective test papers from 2021-2023 with official questions and marking criteria.
Practice papers designed to reflect the computer-based test format introduced for NSW selective school tests.
Detailed answers and explanations for every question to help students understand concepts and improve performance.
Understand the official NSW Selective School test format to maximize your preparation effectiveness.
Comprehension passages with questions testing understanding, inference, and analysis skills. Three questions include multiple parts to answer.
Problem-solving questions testing mathematical reasoning, patterns, and logical thinking.
Logic puzzles, pattern recognition, and abstract reasoning questions.
Creative or persuasive writing task assessing language skills, creativity, and expression.
The NSW Selective School Test is administered on computers. Students will need basic typing skills for the Writing section. Practice papers help familiarize students with question formats, though the actual test will be completed on-screen.
Access official past papers from recent years to understand test evolution and practice with authentic questions. All papers include answers and detailed marking guidelines.
Most recent official selective school test papers reflecting the current computer-based format and question styles for 2026 preparation.
Previous year's official papers providing additional practice and insight into question patterns and difficulty levels.
Comprehensive collection from 2022 including all test components with official answers and scoring guides.
Historical papers valuable for extended practice and understanding long-term trends in selective school testing.
A selective practice test trains a single skill (a 45-minute reading drill, a thinking-skills set). A selective mock test reproduces the entire 155-minute test sitting in one go, in the same order and with the same break pattern as the real NSW selective exam. Using both deliberately is the difference between a child who knows the content and a child who can perform on test day.
Our selective mock test library uses the most recent past selective test papers (2021–2024) reformatted into the current computer-based interface. The 2024 selective test paper is the closest available to the live exam your child will sit, so we sequence it last in any mock-test schedule. Every selective mock test includes a sectional score, a percentile band against our 8,000+ test cohort, and a worked-solutions debrief.
After the main offer round, the NSW Department of Education releases reserve-list offers as families decline places. Understanding the reserve list 2025 process helps parents plan realistically for the 2026 round.
Main offers issued. Families have a fixed window (usually 5 working days) to accept. Declines start populating the reserve list 2025 / 2026 immediately.
First reserve-list offers go out, ranked by combined test score. In 2025 around 12-18% of declined offers shifted to the reserve list within four weeks of the main round.
Reserve-list movement continues until Term 1 starts. Late movement is most common at partially-selective schools as Year 6 families finalise their private-school decisions.
Sources: NSW Department of Education — Selective High School Placement offer rounds and reserve-list policy (2025); BrainTree internal cohort data from offer-round families. The selective school reserve list 2026 will follow the same process; specific dates are confirmed by the Department after the May 2026 sitting.
These past exam papers are available for download for parents and students who are planning to take the NSW Selective School Placement Test.
Notes: These files are copyrighted by NSW Department of Education, we have only collected and provided them to students for their convenience and do not own the copyright of these files.
Maximize your selective school test preparation with these proven strategies for using past papers.
Begin with the 2024 sample papers to familiarize yourself with question formats and difficulty levels before attempting past papers.
Set strict timers for each section and practice completing questions within the official time limits to build speed and confidence.
Practice typing and developing ideas quickly for the writing section. Review sample responses to understand assessment criteria.
Practice reading comprehension and answering questions on-screen. Build typing speed and accuracy for the computer-based format.
Keep detailed records of your scores in each subject area and identify specific question types that need improvement.
Study the detailed explanations to understand different approaches to solving problems and improve your reasoning skills.
Complete full practice tests in quiet conditions, following the exact timing and sequence of the actual selective school test.
Start with older papers and progress to more recent ones as your skills improve, finishing with the most current test formats.
While practice papers are essential, achieving selective school success requires expert guidance, personalized coaching, and structured learning pathways. Discover our complete selective school preparation program with computer-based test training.
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Understanding the Test Format
Detailed breakdown of all 4 selective test components, time limits, and scoring system.
40+ Selective School Questions Answered
Expert answers to the most common parent questions about NSW selective school entry.
Sample Questions with Answers
Worked examples for reading, maths, thinking skills and writing with step-by-step solutions.