EduTest FAQ 2026/2027
60 Questions Parents Ask

The EduTest is an Australian standardised assessment used by selective high schools, scholarship programs and private schools to identify academically able students for Year 7 to Year 11 entry. It is built around five sections — Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Mathematics and Written Expression — and tests both ability (how a child thinks and reasons) and achievement (what they have learned in school).

It is most widely used in NSW selective schools (Year 8–11 entry) and Victorian SEAL programs, plus over 150 independent schools nationwide.

The EduTest is administered by Edutest Pty Ltd, a specialist Australian assessment provider based in Melbourne. The company designs the test papers, runs the testing sessions either at participating schools or remote/online testing centres, and returns the results directly to the schools the student has applied to.

Parents do not receive raw test papers — only the categorised result reports that schools provide back during their selection process.

The EduTest is used by over 150 schools across Australia, including major NSW selective high schools for Year 8–11 entry:

• NSW: James Ruse Agricultural, Baulkham Hills, North Sydney Boys, North Sydney Girls, Sydney Girls High
• Victoria (SEAL programs): Melbourne High, Suzanne Cory, Mac.Robertson Girls', Nossal
• Private schools nationwide running scholarship and bursary programs

Each school sets its own cut-off scores and weighting of the five sections.

The EduTest is typically sat by students in Years 6 through 10 applying for entry into Years 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11. The question difficulty is matched to the year level of entry — so a child sitting in Year 6 (for Year 7 entry) will receive a different paper to a child sitting in Year 9 (for Year 10 entry).

The most common entry point is Year 7 (sat in Year 6, between February and May depending on the school).

EduTest sitting dates depend on the school applied for. The general pattern is:

• February–May 2026: Private school scholarship tests
• March–April 2026: Victorian SEAL program testing
• April–June 2026: NSW selective Year 8–11 EduTest sittings

The official testing calendar is published on the EduTest website. Parents should also check the application portal of each specific school, as dates vary year to year. Most schools open registrations 4–6 months before the sitting.

The EduTest takes approximately 2.5 hours total, structured as:

• Verbal Reasoning — 30 minutes
• Numerical Reasoning — 30 minutes
• Reading Comprehension — 30 minutes
• Mathematics — 30 minutes
• Written Expression — 15 minutes

Including check-in, instructions and short breaks between sections, parents should plan for a 3-hour total commitment on test day. Students should arrive at the test centre at least 30 minutes early.

The EduTest registration fee is set by the school the student is applying to, not by Edutest directly. Typical ranges are:

• $100–$130 for most school-administered sittings
• $150–$200 for remote interstate or overseas testing
• $50–$80 extra if applying to multiple schools with separate sittings

Each school's application portal lists its current fee. There is usually no refund for non-attendance or late cancellation.

Most students sit the EduTest at the school they are applying to. Edutest also runs:

• Central testing venues in major cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide)
• Remote interstate testing for families in regional or rural Australia
• Overseas testing for families currently living abroad applying to Australian schools

Remote and overseas sittings require advance booking and additional fees. Check Edutest's official website for current remote testing options.

No — citizenship is not a requirement to sit the EduTest itself. International students and children of expatriates regularly sit the test, particularly for private school scholarship pathways.

However, individual schools may have citizenship or residency requirements for enrolment after a successful test result. NSW government selective schools, for example, generally require Australian citizenship or permanent residency. Always check the specific school's enrolment policy before applying.

Yes — Edutest provides reasonable adjustments for students with diagnosed learning differences, medical conditions or disabilities. Common provisions include:

• Extra time (typically 10–25% additional)
• Rest breaks between sections
• Large-print or modified test papers
• A separate quiet testing room
• Reader or scribe assistance in specific cases

Parents must apply for special provisions at least 4–6 weeks before the test date with supporting documentation from a registered medical or educational professional. Late requests are rarely approved.

The EduTest has five sections, split into two categories:

• Ability tests (2 sections): Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning — measure how a child thinks and reasons, without depending on prior school learning
• Achievement tests (3 sections): Reading Comprehension, Mathematics, Written Expression — measure what the child has actually learned and how well they apply it

All five sections combined make up the complete EduTest profile that schools receive.

The full breakdown of the five sections:

• Verbal Reasoning — vocabulary, word relationships, classification, deduction (30 min)
• Numerical Reasoning — number series, matrices, arithmetical reasoning, deduction (30 min)
• Reading Comprehension — interpreting written passages, sentence correction, punctuation (30 min)
• Mathematics — year-level numbers, measurement, algebra, space and data (30 min)
• Written Expression — one writing task, no planning or reading time (15 min)

Sections are sat in a fixed order on test day, with brief transitions between them.

Question counts vary slightly year to year, but typical numbers are:

• Verbal Reasoning: ~60 multiple-choice questions in 30 minutes
• Numerical Reasoning: ~50 multiple-choice questions in 30 minutes
• Reading Comprehension: ~50 multiple-choice questions in 30 minutes
• Mathematics: ~60 multiple-choice questions in 30 minutes
• Written Expression: 1 writing prompt in 15 minutes

This is approximately 220 questions plus one writing task across the whole test — averaging about 30 seconds per multiple-choice question. Pacing is critical.

Yes — all four ability and achievement sections are multiple-choice. Students mark answers by shading bubbles on a separate answer sheet (paper-based) or by clicking radio buttons (computer-based).

The exception is the Written Expression section, where students write a complete piece of writing (creative, persuasive, narrative, descriptive, expository or informative depending on the prompt). This is the only section requiring extended written responses.

Most school-administered EduTest sittings remain paper-based in 2026, with students using physical question booklets and shading answer bubbles on multiple-choice sheets.

However, an increasing number of schools and remote testing centres are moving to computer-based delivery (CBT). This typically applies to:

• Remote interstate and overseas testing
• Selected NSW selective school sittings from 2026
• Some Victorian SEAL program tests

Always confirm the format with your specific school before sitting. Selectivetrial's EduTest practice platform simulates both formats so your child is ready for either.

No — calculators are not permitted at the EduTest. In fact, Edutest's official policy bans the following items from the test room:

• Calculators of any kind
• Dictionaries
• Working-out paper or scratch paper
• Mobile phones
• Rulers
• Digital watches and smartwatches
• Erasable pens

Students are expected to do all numerical calculations mentally or in the margins of the question booklet. This means strong mental arithmetic is essential — and a key area to practise.

Each multiple-choice section is 30 minutes long. The written expression section is 15 minutes, with no planning or reading time before the clock starts.

This means a student averages roughly:

• 30 seconds per Verbal Reasoning question
• 36 seconds per Numerical Reasoning question
• 36 seconds per Reading Comprehension question
• 30 seconds per Mathematics question

Students who haven't practised under timed conditions almost always run out of time on first attempt.

Yes — there are short administrative breaks of 2–5 minutes between sections, primarily for the invigilator to collect papers and distribute the next set. These are not full rest breaks.

Most schools also schedule a longer 10–15 minute break roughly halfway through the test (typically between Numerical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension). Students can use the bathroom, have a snack, and drink water during this break.

Bring only the essentials. Permitted items:

• 2B or HB pencils (at least 2)
• Eraser (no erasable pens)
• Pencil sharpener
• Blue or black pen for the writing section
• Test confirmation letter and photo ID
• Water bottle and small snack for the break

Leave behind anything that's banned (smartwatches, calculators, dictionaries, mobile phones). Some test centres allow students to wear an analog watch — check the school's confirmation letter before the day.

When time is called, students must stop immediately. Any unanswered questions are simply marked as incorrect.

Edutest does not penalise wrong answers — only correct answers add to the score. This means it is always better to guess on the remaining questions in the final 30 seconds than to leave them blank.

The Mathematics section tests year-level appropriate content. For Year 7 entry, this typically includes:

• Number and arithmetic: fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, order of operations
• Measurement: length, area, volume, time, units conversion
• Algebra: basic equations, patterns, simple expressions
• Space and geometry: shapes, angles, symmetry, transformations
• Data and statistics: graphs, tables, averages, simple probability

For Year 9–11 entry, content extends to algebra, geometry, probability, statistics and basic trigonometry.

The Reading Comprehension section tests how well a student can interpret meaning from written passages. Question types include:

• Identifying the main idea of a passage
• Recognising the author's purpose, tone or attitude
• Inferring conclusions not directly stated
• Identifying supporting arguments and evidence
• Correcting, completing or punctuating sentences
• Understanding vocabulary in context

Passages cover fiction, non-fiction, persuasive writing and informational texts — typically 5 to 8 short passages per section.

Verbal Reasoning measures a student's ability to think and reason using words and language. Unlike Reading Comprehension, it tests how the brain works with language rather than what they have read.

Common question types include:

• Synonyms and antonyms (similar/opposite words)
• Analogies (X is to Y as A is to ?)
• Classification (which word doesn't belong)
• Logical deduction (drawing conclusions from short statements)
• Sentence completion and word relationships

This is often the hardest section for students because it requires a strong vocabulary and quick pattern recognition.

Numerical Reasoning measures a student's ability to think and reason using numbers. It is not the same as Mathematics — it tests pattern recognition, logic and quick numerical thinking rather than learned formulas.

Typical question types:

• Number series (what comes next: 2, 6, 12, 20, ?)
• Number matrices (find the missing number in a grid)
• Arithmetical reasoning (word problems using basic operations)
• Code-breaking and pattern logic
• Data interpretation from short tables or graphs

Calculators are not allowed — strong mental arithmetic is essential.

Written Expression is marked by trained Edutest assessors against four primary criteria:

• Appropriateness to the theme — did the student address the prompt directly?
• Structure and creativity — clear opening, body, conclusion, original ideas
• Grammar, punctuation, spelling and vocabulary — technical correctness and word choice
• Overall written expression — fluency, voice, clarity of communication

The writing prompt can be creative, descriptive, narrative, persuasive, expository or informative — students don't know in advance which mode will appear, so all six should be practised.

Yes — significantly harder. NAPLAN is designed as a baseline national assessment of all Australian school students, with questions covering a wide range of difficulty levels including many at or below year-level.

The EduTest is designed to distinguish between high-achieving students applying for selective schools and scholarships. Most questions are pitched above year-level, with tight time pressure that NAPLAN doesn't impose. A student in the top 10% of NAPLAN may still find the EduTest extremely challenging.

They are comparable in difficulty, but different in style.

• The NSW Selective High School Placement Test tests Reading, Thinking Skills, Mathematical Reasoning and Writing — with an emphasis on critical thinking and inference
• The EduTest tests five sections including separate Verbal and Numerical Reasoning components — with an emphasis on vocabulary, mental arithmetic and pattern recognition

EduTest is generally seen as having more questions per minute (tighter pacing), while NSW Selective questions are often more involved. Many top NSW students prepare for both. Combo plans exist for students sitting multiple tests in one year.

The EduTest assumes a vocabulary 1–2 year levels above the student's current grade. For Year 7 entry, this means familiarity with vocabulary typically taught in Years 7–8 — words like ambiguous, deduce, hypothesis, scrutinise, paradox, conjecture.

Strong readers naturally develop this vocabulary through wide reading. Students who don't read regularly often struggle most with Verbal Reasoning.

Yes — creative writing is one possible mode for the Written Expression section, but it's not the only one. Edutest may set any of these six modes on test day:

• Creative — short story, imaginative scenario
• Descriptive — describing a place, person or event vividly
• Narrative — recounting an event with a clear arc
• Persuasive — arguing a viewpoint with reasons
• Expository — explaining how or why something works
• Informative — presenting facts clearly and neutrally

Students should practise all six modes ahead of test day — preparing only for creative writing is a common mistake.

The Written Expression section is best described as a short structured response, not a full essay. With only 15 minutes and no planning time, students typically produce:

• 3–5 paragraphs of focused writing
• 250–400 words total
• One clear opening, a developed middle, and a strong conclusion

Top-scoring responses are tightly structured, original, and grammatically polished rather than long. Aim for quality and clarity over word count.

EduTest results are returned in two grouped reports:

• Ability score — combined Verbal and Numerical Reasoning
• Achievement score — combined Reading Comprehension and Mathematics, plus the marked Written Expression

Both are reported as percentile rankings comparing the student to thousands of others of the same year level across Australia who sat on similar test occasions. There are no negative marks for wrong answers.

A "good" score depends on the school's competitiveness:

• 70th–84th percentile: above average — competitive for many private school placements
• 85th–94th percentile: strong — competitive for partial scholarships and most selective places
• 95th–99th percentile: top tier — typically required for full scholarships and the most competitive NSW selective schools (James Ruse, North Sydney Girls)

Edutest itself notes that more than half of all students score in the "average" range — even high achievers can land here on a tough day.

There is no fixed pass mark for the EduTest — each school sets its own cut-off, and these change year to year based on the applicant pool.

As a guide:

• Top NSW selective schools typically require 95th+ percentile across all sections
• Victorian SEAL programs require 90th+ percentile in most cases
• Private school scholarships range from 80th percentile (partial) to 95th+ (full)
• Bursaries and entry-only places may accept 70th–80th percentile

Schools also weigh the Written Expression heavily as a tiebreaker between equally strong candidates.

Results are sent directly to the school the student applied to, not to the parent. Schools then release outcomes on their own timeline.

Typical wait times:

• Private schools: 3–6 weeks after the test
• NSW selective schools: Usually announced in late July or August for Year 8 entry
• Victorian SEAL programs: typically May–July

Don't call the school chasing results — they will contact you when ready, and chasing won't speed it up.

Results are seen by:

• The school the student applied to (full detailed report)
• The parent / guardian (summary only, after the school decides whether to share)
• Edutest's internal assessors (for marking and quality control)

Results are not shared with the student's current school, NAPLAN, or other government bodies. They are confidential to the application process.

No — Edutest does not release completed test papers to parents or students. Test papers, answer sheets and writing samples are confidential to Edutest and the applying school.

Most schools will release a summary results letter showing the percentile bands, but this rarely contains question-by-question feedback. If you want detailed feedback on your child's writing, the best alternative is a tutor-marked writing review from a third-party provider before the real test.

Generally no — Edutest does not allow re-sits within the same testing year. A student gets one official sitting per school per year.

Exceptions exist for:

• Medical emergencies on the test day (with documentation)
• Students applying for different entry years (e.g. Year 8 entry one year, Year 9 entry the next)
• Students applying to a different school that uses EduTest with its own sitting date

This is why thorough preparation before the first sitting is critical — there's no real "second chance."

Scholarship awards typically depend on:

• EduTest percentile (the primary factor)
• Written Expression quality (often used as a tiebreaker)
• School interview for shortlisted students
• School report and references from the current school
• Extracurricular achievements for some schools

Most private schools award full or partial fee remission for 2–6 years. Top performers may receive boarding scholarships, leadership bursaries, or named scholarships covering up to 100% of tuition.

Yes — disproportionately so at the top end. While Edutest reports writing separately from the four multiple-choice sections, schools selecting between high-scoring candidates often use the writing score as the final tiebreaker.

Two students with identical 97th percentile scores in ability and achievement can be separated entirely by their writing band. This is why Selectivetrial's Pro plan includes tutor-marked writing with structured feedback — it's the single most differentiating section in competitive applications.

Not being offered a place does not mean your child failed. Acceptance rates at top schools are often 5–15% of applicants, so many talented students miss out simply due to numbers.

Options if unsuccessful:

• Apply for waitlist or reserve list — places often open up after offers close
• Apply the following year for the next entry point (e.g. Year 8 or Year 9)
• Consider alternative schools in the same selective network
• Continue strong study habits — selective entry is one of many pathways to academic success

Many students who don't make a selective school in Year 7 succeed via Year 9 or 10 entry instead.

A 3–6 month preparation window is ideal for most students. Specifically:

• Students with strong fundamentals: 3 months of focused practice
• Most students: 4–6 months of steady weekly practice with feedback
• Students starting from a lower base: 6–9 months covering both content gaps and test technique

Less than 6 weeks of preparation is rarely enough to build the pacing, vocabulary and writing structure required at competitive percentiles.

The optimal pattern is frequent short sessions, not long marathon study sessions. A typical weekly plan:

• Weekdays (Mon–Fri): 20–30 minutes daily on targeted practice
• One weekend day: one full timed mock test (~2 hours)
• Total: 4–6 hours per week is enough

Cramming more than 8 hours per week typically leads to burnout and worse results. Consistency beats intensity.

The most effective preparation combines four elements:

1. Full timed mock tests in real exam conditions — at least 6–10 across the prep period
2. Targeted topic practice for weak areas identified by the mock tests
3. Writing practice across all six modes — creative, persuasive, narrative, descriptive, expository, informative
4. Tutor-marked writing feedback on at least 2–3 pieces before the real test

Selectivetrial's EduTest Plus and Pro plans combine all four — 28+ exam-style mocks, 1,470+ practice questions, and tutor-marked writing feedback on Pro.

The realism depends entirely on the provider. Quality practice should match the real EduTest on five dimensions:

• Question style — same logic patterns, vocabulary level and reading style
• Section structure — same number of questions, same time limits
• Difficulty curve — easier early questions, harder ones later
• Test interface — for CBT, the on-screen layout matches Edutest's platform
• Writing assessment — marked against the same four criteria

Generic online "selective test" practice without these features can hurt performance by teaching the wrong pacing.

Both work — the right choice depends on your child:

• Self-study suits motivated students with strong fundamentals and good independent study habits. A structured online platform with mock tests and detailed solutions is often enough.
• One-to-one tutoring suits students with specific weaknesses (e.g. weak writing, weak vocabulary, anxiety under timed conditions), or those who benefit from accountability and external structure.

Many successful students combine both — using a self-paced platform for daily practice plus occasional tutoring for writing feedback and weak topic areas.

Useful book categories (not specific brand endorsements):

• Verbal reasoning workbooks at Year 7–8 vocabulary level
• Past paper compilations from major Australian education publishers
• Writing technique guides covering all six EduTest writing modes
• Mental arithmetic practice books for the no-calculator Maths and Numerical Reasoning sections

However, books cannot replicate computer-based testing conditions, real-time scoring, or writing feedback. Most students do best with a combination of books for fundamentals and online practice for mock tests.

Test anxiety is real and very common. Strategies that work:

• Familiarity reduces fear — sitting 6+ realistic mock tests before the real one normalises the experience
• Sleep and routine — consistent sleep for the week before, not just the night before
• Skip-and-return strategy — practise marking hard questions and returning to them, reducing freeze moments
• Box breathing — 4 seconds in, hold 4, out 4, hold 4 — three rounds before each section
• Reframe the test — it's a chance, not the only chance. Multiple pathways exist regardless of outcome

Parental calm matters more than parents realise — anxious parents transmit anxiety. Stay matter-of-fact.

The three most common mistakes:

1. Starting too late — 4 weeks before the test is not enough to build pacing and vocabulary
2. Practising only Maths and Reading — ignoring Verbal Reasoning and Writing, which are usually the discriminators at the top end
3. Skipping timed conditions — practising untimed gives a false sense of ability and doesn't teach pacing

A close fourth: over-tutoring. Students burning out from 10+ hours per week of pressure rarely perform their best on test day.

Yes — daily reading is the single highest-impact long-term preparation. Daily reading of varied texts builds:

• Vocabulary for Verbal Reasoning
• Inference skills for Reading Comprehension
• Writing style and sentence structure for Written Expression
• General knowledge for persuasive and informative writing prompts

Even 20 minutes per day of mixed reading (novels, newspapers, science magazines) over 6 months outperforms hundreds of hours of vocabulary flashcards.

The final week should focus on consolidation, not new learning:

• 7 days out: One final full mock test under exam conditions
• 5–6 days out: Review weak topics; short targeted drills only
• 3–4 days out: One short writing piece per day on different modes
• 2 days out: Light review; pack test bag; confirm venue and timing
• 1 day out: No practice. Light activity, normal meals, early bedtime
• Test morning: Substantial breakfast, arrive 30 min early, bring snack and water

Yes — extensively. The EduTest is the primary assessment used by major NSW selective high schools for Year 8, 9, 10 and 11 entry (separate from the NSW Selective High School Placement Test used for Year 7 entry).

Key NSW schools using EduTest:

• James Ruse Agricultural High School
• Baulkham Hills High School
• North Sydney Boys High School
• North Sydney Girls High School
• Sydney Girls High School

It is also used by many NSW independent schools for scholarship entry from Year 7 onwards.

Yes — Victoria is one of Edutest's largest markets. The EduTest is used by Victorian SEAL (Select Entry Accelerated Learning) programs and dozens of independent schools.

SEAL schools using or accepting EduTest results include:

• Melbourne High School
• Mac.Robertson Girls' High School
• Suzanne Cory High School
• Nossal High School (for some entry points)
• John Monash Science School (for selected programs)

Many of Victoria's leading private schools (e.g. Scotch College, Methodist Ladies College, Wesley College) also use EduTest for scholarship selection.

Yes, though less dominantly than NSW and Victoria:

• WA: Some private schools use EduTest for scholarships; however, WA government selective entry (Perth Modern, Willetton, etc.) uses the ASET / GATE tests, not EduTest
• SA: Independent schools in Adelaide use EduTest for scholarship and bursary selection
• QLD: Brisbane and Gold Coast independent schools use EduTest; the Queensland Academies (QASMT, QAHS, QASPA) use their own selection process

Always check the specific school's website for the exact assessment they use.

Yes — Edutest offers remote interstate testing. Families in regional Australia or in states where the test isn't commonly run can arrange a remote sitting through Edutest's official testing service.

Remote interstate testing typically involves:

• Pre-arranged sitting at an approved local venue
• Supervised by an Edutest-approved invigilator
• Additional registration fee (usually $50–$80 above standard)
• Advance booking required (4–6 weeks before)

This is also the preferred option for overseas applicants applying to Australian schools.

Both are major Australian assessment systems, but they differ in style and structure:

• EduTest: 5 sections (Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, Reading, Maths, Writing). Heavy emphasis on vocabulary and quick pattern recognition. Tighter time pressure.
• ACER Scholarship Test: 3 sections (Mathematics, Humanities, Written Expression). Heavier weight on complex problem-solving and extended written analysis.

Some private schools accept either test; others specify one. Many top-tier students preparing for scholarships sit both tests in the same year. ACER-style practice is available alongside EduTest prep.

Absolutely — and it's increasingly common. Many ambitious students applying to a range of schools sit both EduTest and ACER tests in the same year because different schools require different tests.

Practical considerations:

• Sittings are usually 4–8 weeks apart, allowing time to switch focus
• The core skills overlap heavily — reading, writing, mathematics
• The style is different enough to need dedicated practice for each
• Plan for combined prep of 6+ months for both

Selectivetrial offers combo plans that bundle EduTest with HAST, ACER and Selective Test prep at discounted rates.

Both are used for selective and scholarship entry but have different focuses:

• EduTest: Used for Year 7–11 entry across NSW selective schools and Victorian SEAL programs. 5 sections, paper or computer-based.
• HAST (Higher Ability Selection Test): Used by selected boarding schools and high-end scholarship programs. 4 sections (Reading, Mathematics, Abstract Reasoning, Writing). Often viewed as more demanding in abstract reasoning.

NSW Year 8–10 selective applicants increasingly sit both EduTest and HAST as part of a comprehensive application strategy. Combo prep packages are designed for this exact scenario.

Sometimes — but each school typically requires its own sitting. Most schools want to see results from a sitting they administered or specifically requested.

However:

• Some private schools accept results from a recent EduTest sat at another school (typically within 6 months)
• Most NSW selective schools require their own sitting, even if the student has already sat EduTest elsewhere
• SEAL programs generally accept results from any approved Victorian EduTest sitting in the same year

Always confirm with each individual school before paying additional sitting fees.

Selectivetrial provides year-level specific EduTest preparation for Year 7, 8, 9 and 10 entry applicable to all Australian states. Each package includes:

• 28+ exam-style mock tests per year level (1,470+ questions)
• All 5 sections covered — Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, Reading, Maths, Writing
• 180 days of unlimited access
• Real exam interface simulating both paper and CBT format
• Tutor-marked writing on Pro plans
• Combo discounts when bundled with HAST or NSW Selective prep

Start a free 3-day trial — no credit card required.

The most reliable sources for current EduTest information:

• Edutest official website (www.edutest.com.au) — for testing dates, formats and official policies
• The specific school's application portal — for fees, sitting dates and required documents
• NSW Department of Education — for selective school placement information
• Victorian Department of Education — for SEAL program details
• Selectivetrial's blog — for strategy articles, preparation timelines and writing tips

EduTest policies and dates change yearly — always confirm current information 4–6 months before your child's expected sitting.