Selectivetrial

The 2026 and 2027 NSW Selective High School Placement Test schedules are as follows:

• 2026 Test: It was conducted on Friday, 1st May & Saturday, 2nd May 2026 (students are allocated to one of these days).
• 2027 Test: The official dates will be confirmed by the NSW Department of Education approximately 6 months prior, it is expected to follow the same pattern and occur in early May 2027. Applications are expected to open in October 2026.

The NSW Selective Test has four sections: 

• Reading (45 minutes, 17 questions- 3 question have multiple parts to answer),
• Mathematical Reasoning (40 minutes, 35 questions)
• Thinking Skills (40 minutes, 40 questions), &
• Writing (30 minutes, 1 task).

The NSW Selective High School Placement Test is scored based on four equally weighted components: Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, Thinking Skills, and Writing, each contributing 25% to the total placement score. 

The raw results are standardised and scaled to ensure fairness across different test versions, and students are then ranked against all other applicants to determine placement offers based on their school preferences. Parents receive a performance report categorising results into four bands- Top 10%, Next 15%, Next 25%, and Lowest 50%.

Yes, the NSW Selective High School Placement Test is now fully computer-based as of 2026. Students complete all four components: Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, Thinking Skills, & Writing- at designated test centers using provided computers rather than paper. 

Practicing on a computer-based platform (like Selectivetrial) closely mirrors the real NSW Selective Test interface.

The OC (Opportunity Class) Test is designed for Year 4 students seeking placement in Years 5, focusing primarily on Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, and Thinking Skills.

In contrast, the NSW Selective High School Placement Test is for Year 6 students seeking Year 7-entry to NSW Selective High Schools.  It includes a Writing component alongside more advanced versions of the Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, and Thinking Skills sections.

The main difference lies in their focus: 

• HAST (Higher Ability Selection Test), developed by ACER, emphasises on abstract reasoning and critical thinking to identify academic potential. 

• Edutest focuses more on curriculum-based knowledge and speed, testing a student’s ability to apply learned skills across verbal, numerical, and reading tracks under tight time constraints.

While both are used for selective entry and scholarships, HAST is often preferred for secondary placements, whereas Edutest is a common standard for many independent and Victorian selective schools.  The format, scoring, and target schools differ for both tests, check with your child’s prospective school to confirm which one they use.

The Victorian Selective Entry High School (SEHS) exam is a competitive academic assessment for high-achieving Year 8 students seeking Year 9 entry to one of four prestigious Victorian Selective High Schools, i.e. 

• Mac.Robertson Girls’ High School, 
• Melbourne High School, 
• Nossal High School, & 
• Suzanne Cory High School.

The test administered by ACER evaluates advanced proficiency in Reading Comprehension, Writing, Mathematics, & General Ability (Verbal & Quantitative), focusing on higher-order reasoning rather than just curriculum knowledge.

The Academic Selective Entrance Test (ASET) is the state-wide competitive test in Western Australia for Year 7 entry to select students for the Gifted and Talented (GATE) secondary programs.

It assesses academic potential rather than just curriculum knowledge through four sections: Reading Comprehension, Communicating Ideas in Writing, Quantitative Reasoning, and Abstract Reasoning.

The NSW Selective High School reserve list serves as a ranked waiting list for students who narrowly missed an initial offer. Understanding How it Works:

• Ranked Allocation: Students are placed into Reserve Bands (A–F) based on their test scores; as initially successful students decline their offers, the Department of Education offers those spots to the next highest-ranked student on the list.
• Duration: The list remains active until the end of Term 1 in the year of entry, though movement typically slows down significantly after the “Reserve Decision Date” in December.

Strategic Choice: You can accept an offer for a lower-preference school and stay on the reserve list for a higher-preference school, but you will be automatically removed from all lists in mid-December unless you decline your current offer.

Generally, starting early provides a balanced 12-to-18-month window to build foundational skills without causing burnout. This timeline allows for a steady transition from learning core concepts to mastering the specific speed and reasoning techniques required for the exam format.

However, if your child already has strong academic foundations, a 6-month intensive focus can be effective for fine-tuning test-taking strategies and time management. Also, the quality of practice matters more than duration — consistent weekly practice with detailed feedback is more effective than last-minute cramming.

Yes, we offer a 3-day free trial across all major tests- NSW Selective, OC, HAST, NAPLAN, ACER, Edutest, VIC Selective, & ASET-WA. No credit card required, simply sign up at selectivetrial.com.au/free-trial.

NAPLAN 2027 is scheduled to take place from Wednesday, 10th March to Monday, 22nd March 2027.

Schools typically aim to complete the testing as early as possible within this window. Key things to keep in mind for the 2027 schedule are:

• Test Window: The 9-day window allows schools flexibility to manage technical requirements and student catch-up sessions.

Writing Test Priority: For Year 3, the writing test is still conducted on paper and is usually held on Day 1. For Years 5, 7, and 9, the online writing test must also start on Day 1, with the following day reserved only for logistical or technical overflows.

Technically NAPLAN is not compulsory, but it is expected that all Australian students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 appear for this national assessment. However, parents or carers may withdraw their children from the testing for religious beliefs, philosophical objections, or specific educational needs.

Formal exemptions can also be granted for students with significant disabilities or those from a non-English speaking background who have been in Australia for less than a year. Ultimately, this is a decision for parents/carers but is best done in collaboration with the school.  

The NSW Selective High School Placement Test is a competitive entrance test for high-achieving Year 6 students seeking Year 7 placement in elite NSW Selective government schools. The NSW Selective Test is designed with much higher difficulty to distinguish academic excellence among the state’s top performers.

In contrast, NAPLAN is a nationwide diagnostic assessment that measures basic literacy and numeracy standards for all students in Years 3, 5, 7, & 9. The NAPLAN identifies whether young Australians are meeting the minimum curriculum benchmarks, i.e. the literacy and numeracy skills that provide critical foundation.

The OC (Opportunity Class) Test is a competitive placement exam in New South Wales (NSW)  for high-potential Year 4 students seeking entry to specialised Year 5 classes. OC Test features more challenging questions focused on advanced mathematical reasoning, reading, and thinking skills.

In contrast, NAPLAN is a national assessment for all Australian students in Years 3, 5, 7, & 9 designed to measure literacy and numeracy benchmarks rather than for school placement. NAPLAN primarily focuses on basic curriculum proficiency across the country.

The ACER scholarship test is a competitive academic examination used by many independent and government schools across Australia to identify high-achieving students for fee-reduction scholarships. It typically assesses core abilities in reading, writing, and mathematical and abstract reasoning rather than testing specific curriculum knowledge.

The ACER scholarship test is considered highly challenging because it prioritises abstract reasoning, critical thinking, and problem-solving over standard school curriculum. Since it is designed to differentiate the top-performing students, the questions are often intentionally complex and strictly timed to test speed and accuracy.

To effectively prepare for the ACER scholarship test, focus on a balanced approach that addresses both academic skills and test-taking mechanics:

• Master Core Disciplines: Focus on high-level reading comprehension, creative and persuasive writing. Also, mathematical reasoning that emphasises problem-solving rather than just calculations.

Simulate Test Conditions: Regularly complete full-length practice tests under strict time constraints to build stamina and familiarity with the digital or paper-based formats used by ACER.

The Victorian Selective Entry High School Test is a state-run entrance test for students seeking admission to one of Victoria’s four Selective High Schools. It focuses on higher-order reasoning rather than just curriculum knowledge for identifying high-potential students through Reading Comprehension, Writing, Mathematics, & General Ability (Verbal & Quantitative).

In contrast, ACER Scholarship Tests are highly challenging assessments used by approximately 250 independent schools across Australia to award individual scholarships. This evaluation examines a candidate’s critical thinking and problem-solving proficiency. These metrics serve as a key predictor of their future performance and professional growth.

While both tests are developed by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), they serve different administrative purposes and vary slightly in their focus: 

Selectivetrial is widely regarded as a top choice for ACER Scholarship Test preparation in Australia due to its highly specialised focus on the unique reasoning-based format of ACER exams. Here are three key reasons why it stands out:

High-Fidelity ACER Simulations: Unlike generic tutoring platforms, Selectivetrial’s practice tests are specifically engineered to mirror the ACER Scholarship test structures. This includes timed test sections with question types and patterns that mirror the actual test.

Expert Writing Feedback & Competitions: The Writing/Writing Expression test section is often the most difficult to self-assess. Selectivetrial offer professional marking by experienced teachers who provide detailed feedback on structure, quality of thought, and mechanics.

Diagnostic Analytics: The Selectivetrial platform goes way beyond simple right or wrong scoring, it offers advanced personalised performance analytics and graphs. After each practice test, students and parents receive detailed reports that pinpoint specific weaknesses in sub-topics, allowing for targeted revision rather than broad, inefficient study.

Initiate a wholesome ACER Scholarship test preparation journey for your child with Selectivetrial TODAY!