Every question parents ask about the Higher Ability Selection Test — answered.

The Higher Ability Selection Test (HAST) is an ability test used by secondary schools across Australia to identify academically gifted students for selective entry, accelerated learning and gifted programs. It is built by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) and draws on more than 50 years of high-stakes testing experience.

HAST focuses on assessing higher-order, cross-curricular reasoning skills that are characteristic of gifted students — not curriculum recall.

HAST is designed, marked and reported by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER). ACER is Australia's leading independent educational research organisation and an official partner of UNESCO. Schools register with ACER, set their own test date, and ACER provides all test materials and marking.

HAST stands for Higher Ability Selection Test. The Primary version is referred to as HAST-P.

HAST-P is the Primary version of the Higher Ability Selection Test. It identifies academically bright primary school students who might benefit from faster or more challenging learning environments at the secondary level. Year 4 and Year 5 students sit HAST-P, typically as part of Year 7 entry pathways at participating schools.

Standard school exams measure what a child has been taught. HAST is designed to measure academic potential and reasoning ability — the kind of thinking that successful gifted learners display.

Population-style tests often have a "test ceiling effect" where many students achieve near-perfect scores, making it impossible to differentiate top performers. HAST is engineered to finely distinguish between the highest-ability students, giving schools defensible data for selection.

NAPLAN is a nationwide diagnostic assessment for Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 that measures basic literacy and numeracy standards against minimum curriculum benchmarks.

HAST is a competitive ability test used by individual schools to identify students for selective programs. It tests reasoning, not curriculum knowledge, and is intentionally more difficult to differentiate the top performers from each other.

The NSW Selective High School Placement Test is a single state-run test for Year 6 students seeking Year 7 entry into NSW selective high schools. It is fully computer-based and includes Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, Thinking Skills and Writing.

HAST is administered by ACER and used by many individual schools (and across multiple states) for selective streams and accelerated programs at various year levels — Primary, Year 7, Year 8, Year 9/10 and Year 11 entry. HAST has a distinct Abstract Reasoning section that the NSW Selective Test does not.

Both tests are built by ACER but they serve different purposes:

HAST typically consists of four sections:

1. Reading Comprehension
2. Mathematical Reasoning (with Science integration at Year 7 to Year 11)
3. Abstract Reasoning
4. Written Expression (one or two writing tasks depending on level)

The Abstract Reasoning section is a distinguishing feature of HAST and is not present in many other scholarship tests.

Total sitting time ranges from around 110 minutes (HAST-P, three sections) to over 2 hours for secondary levels with two writing tasks.

The Reading test assesses a candidate's ability to understand and interpret a range of texts — fiction, poetry, drama, non-fiction prose — along with diagrams, tables, charts or maps.

Candidates are typically asked to:

• Negotiate texts containing complex sentences
• Identify and relate main ideas, themes or issues
• Identify key logical relations
• Discriminate between competing interpretations of texts
• Draw subtle and complex inferences
• Evaluate assertions about events or characters

The test draws on general abilities and the kinds of thinking used in the humanities and social sciences rather than any specific content knowledge.

This section assesses a candidate's ability to comprehend, interpret and analyse mathematical information — and at middle and senior secondary levels, mathematics and science information.

Skills assessed include comprehending and interpreting data, inferring, predicting and drawing conclusions, reasoning and problem-solving. Tasks appear as numbers, text, diagrams, graphs and tables. Subject areas include number, measurement, space, time, logical relations and problem-solving.

This section assesses a candidate's ability to use abstract reasoning to recognise relationships and perceive ideas at an abstract level — skills strongly linked to successful academic outcomes across the curriculum.

Candidates identify patterns in sequences of diagrams. The pattern may need to be continued or completed, or diagrams may need to be re-ordered to identify the middle term. Each diagram can have multiple variables — size, shape, shading, orientation — that must all be considered.

Pattern recognition, hypothesising and evaluation of evidence are the core skills under test.

The Written Expression test measures a candidate's ability to express thoughts and feelings in written English. It is judged on thought and content, structure and organisation, expression, style and mechanics.

Secondary HAST levels usually present two writing tasks:

• Written Expression 1 — Discursive: the candidate is presented with an issue or topic and prompted to discuss the ideas. The stimulus is usually verbal.
• Written Expression 2 — Creative: prompts narrative or personal/narrative writing. The stimulus is usually visual.

Each task is typically 25 minutes. Together these provide a measure of generative and creative thinking alongside language competency.

The Reading, Mathematical Reasoning and Abstract Reasoning sections are all multiple choice. The Written Expression section is an extended written response — one or two tasks depending on level.

ACER currently delivers HAST as a paper-based assessment at participating schools. ACER provides each school with test booklets, answer booklets, a candidate information bulletin and test administration guidelines for the chosen test date.

That said, practising on a high-fidelity online platform is still extremely valuable — it builds time-management instincts, exposure to question formats, and the cognitive endurance the real paper exam demands.

HAST is offered at four broad levels:

• Primary (HAST-P) — for entry into Years 5 & 6, and Year 7 selective pathways
• Junior Secondary — Year 7 sitters seeking Year 8 entry
• Middle Secondary — Year 8 and Year 9 sitters seeking Year 9 and Year 10 entry
• Senior Secondary — Year 10 and Year 11 sitters seeking Year 11 and Year 12 entry

The choice of test level is determined by the candidate's current year level at the time of testing, not their age:

• HAST-P: Year 4 and Year 5 students (for Year 7 entry pathways)
• HAST: Year 6 students for Year 7 entry
• Junior Secondary: Year 7 students for Year 8 entry
• Middle Secondary: Year 8 and Year 9 students for Year 9 and Year 10 entry
• Senior Secondary: Year 10 and Year 11 students for Year 11 and Year 12 entry

HAST is designed to identify high-ability students — that is its core purpose. Any student can sit the test if they are applying for a school's selective stream, gifted program or scholarship. The test is specifically calibrated to differentiate top performers from one another, so it is most useful for students competing for limited places in academically rigorous programs.

Yes — students can sit HAST at multiple entry points if they remain eligible by year level. For example, a student who sits HAST-P in Year 5 for Year 7 entry can later sit Junior Secondary HAST in Year 7 for Year 8 entry, or Middle Secondary HAST in Year 8 or 9 for Year 9 or 10 entry. Each sitting is for a specific entry pathway at a participating school.

No. HAST is not a compulsory test like NAPLAN. It is only sat by students who are applying for the selective entry, scholarship or gifted programs of schools that use HAST as part of their selection process.

HAST is described by ACER as testing "skills and aptitude, not retrieved knowledge". It is curriculum-neutral. There is no list of topics your child needs to memorise.

That said, secondary-level Mathematical Reasoning includes Science-inquiry questions that assume comfortable handling of scientific data (graphs, tables, biological/physics scenarios). General literacy and numeracy at year-level standard are assumed.

Accommodations for students with documented additional needs (learning differences, physical disabilities, language-background considerations) are typically arranged through the school administering the test, in consultation with ACER. Parents should contact the school directly well before the registration deadline to discuss what evidence and arrangements are required.

HAST registration is managed through the school administering the test, not directly with ACER. The typical flow is:

1. The school registers its test date with ACER's HAST team
2. Parents register their child with the school
3. The school issues your child a candidate information bulletin
4. Students sit the test at the school on the chosen date
5. ACER marks the test papers and reports results back to the school
6. The school informs parents of the outcome

Unlike NAPLAN or the NSW Selective Test, HAST does not have a single national date. Each school chooses its own test date and registers it with ACER. There are multiple sittings throughout the year across participating schools.

Parents should check the timetable published by their target school. Most secondary entry testing occurs between April and September, with results released within around two weeks.

Yes — most participating schools charge a HAST sitting fee, which varies by school. The fee is paid to the school (not to ACER directly), and covers test administration, materials and marking. Check each school's website or admissions office for the current fee.

• Photo ID or candidate information slip (whatever the school specifies)
• 2B pencils, a sharpener and a soft eraser
• A blue or black pen for the Writing section
• A ruler
• A bottle of water and a light snack for the break
• A jumper — exam rooms can be cool

HAST Mathematical Reasoning is designed to test reasoning and problem-solving, not arithmetic speed, and is generally completed without a calculator. Your child should be confident with mental arithmetic, fractions, percentages and simple data interpretation.

The school's candidate information bulletin will confirm the specific rules for the test day.

Each school sets its own makeup-test policy. If your child is unwell or unable to attend, contact the school's admissions office before the test date. Some schools offer an alternative sitting; others may direct you to register for a HAST sitting at a different participating school. Documentation (e.g. a medical certificate) is usually required.

The three multiple-choice sections (Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, Abstract Reasoning) are machine-scored by ACER. The Written Expression section is marked by qualified human markers.

Schools receive both an individual student report and a school report that ranks students across each section. Schools combine these results with their own admissions criteria to make selection decisions.

Each HAST Writing task is dual-marked by trained human assessors. Markers evaluate:

• Thought and content — relevance to the prompt, originality, depth of ideas
• Structure and organisation — logical flow, paragraphing, coherence
• Expression and style — vocabulary range, sentence variety, voice
• Mechanics — grammar, punctuation, spelling

Students who fail to address the prompt, or who submit weak structure and limited vocabulary, typically receive low marks regardless of handwriting or length.

• ACER provides a 10-working-day turnaround between receipt of completed test papers and provision of results to schools.
• Schools then distribute the results to parents — timing varies by school but is typically within a couple of weeks of the test date.
• For NSW selective high school placement at later year levels (Year 8 to Year 11), schools often release placement outcomes between September and October of the application year.

Parents typically receive a school-issued report indicating the student's outcome in the selection process. The level of detail varies — some schools share raw rankings or band-level placement; others provide a simple offer/no-offer letter. ACER also offers schools complimentary assistance in interpreting results and customised analysis on request.

Parents who want more detailed score data should ask their school directly.

No. HAST is a ranking test, not a pass/fail test. Each school sets its own cut-off based on the number of places available and the strength of the candidate pool that year. A score that secures a place at one school in one year may not be enough at another school or in a more competitive year.

You generally cannot retake the same HAST sitting in the same application cycle. However, students who don't secure a place at one entry point (e.g. Year 7) can typically sit HAST again at a later entry point (Year 8, Year 9 or Year 10) — provided the target school offers selective entry at that level. Use the time between sittings to address the specific weaknesses identified.

HAST is used by schools across five states: New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia. The Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory have fewer or no HAST-participating schools, but students in those locations may still sit HAST at nearby participating schools.

NSW has the largest HAST footprint. Participating schools include (selection):

• Hornsby Girls' High School (Junior, middle & senior)
• Hurlstone Agricultural High School (Junior, middle & senior)
• Penrith Selective High School (Junior, middle & senior)
• Sydney Technical High School (Junior, middle & senior)
• St George Girls High School (Junior, middle & senior)
• Northern Beaches Secondary College (Junior, middle & senior)
• Macquarie Fields High School, Girraween High School, Gosford High School, Chatswood High School
• Caringbah, Castle Hill, Cheltenham Girls', Cronulla, Epping Boys, Pennant Hills, Ryde Secondary, Toronto, Willoughby Girls and many more (Junior secondary)
• Sydney Catholic Schools — Newman Selective Gifted Education Program
• Sydney Grammar School, Edgecliff Preparatory (Primary)

HAST is used by a wide range of Victorian government and independent schools for SEAL programs and gifted streams, including:

• Balwyn High School, Box Hill High School, Berwick Secondary College
• Brentwood Secondary College, Braybrook College (Junior, middle & senior)
• Dandenong High School, Hoppers Crossing, Keilor Downs, Lara Secondary, Mill Park
• Parade College (Primary, junior & middle)
• Reservoir, St Helena, Taylors Lakes, Warragul Regional, Wheelers Hill
• Alkira Secondary, Al Siraat, Aquinas, Matthew Flinders Girls, Emerald, Trafalgar
• Point Cook Senior Secondary (Senior secondary)

Queensland's highest-profile HAST users include:

• Brisbane State High School (Primary & junior secondary) — selective entry for Years 7–12
• Benowa State High School (Primary & junior)
• Brisbane South State Secondary College, Indooroopilly State High School
• Murrumba State Secondary College (Junior & middle)
• Narangba Valley State High School (Primary, junior & middle)
• Palm Beach Currumbin SHS, Robina State High School
• The Southport School (Junior secondary)

South Australian schools use HAST for entry into the renowned Ignite Program and other accelerated streams:

• Aberfoyle Park High School (Ignite Program)
• Glenunga International High School (Ignite Program)
• The Heights School (Ignite Program)
• Adelaide Botanic High School (Junior secondary)
• Norwood International High School (Junior secondary)
• Unley High School (Junior secondary)
• Woodville High School (Junior & middle)

WA HAST-participating schools include:

• Churchlands Senior High School (Junior secondary)
• Mount Lawley Senior High School (Junior secondary)
• Harrisdale, Ocean Reef, Piara Waters Senior High Schools (Junior secondary)
• Carey Baptist College (Junior)
• Mandurah Baptist College (Middle secondary)
• South Coast Baptist College (Junior & middle secondary)

Note that WA also runs the separate ASET (GATE) program for state-wide gifted entry — distinct from HAST.

Ideally, 6 to 12 months before the scheduled test date. This timeline allows gradual skill development in complex areas like Abstract Reasoning and inferential Reading without causing academic burnout.

For above-average students, 9–12 months of consistent weekly practice is typical. For students who already perform in the top 10% at school, 6 months of focused, strategic practice can be enough. Quality and consistency matter more than total hours.

A sustainable rhythm is 4 to 6 hours per week, broken into 3 or 4 sessions. For example:

• One full timed mock paper at the weekend
• Two 45-minute targeted skill sessions during the week (e.g. one Abstract Reasoning, one Mathematical Reasoning)
• One reading-and-writing session that doubles as quality reading time

Consistency every week beats cramming. As the test approaches, increase the proportion of full timed papers to build stamina.

Long-term face-to-face tutoring is not strictly necessary. ACER itself recommends familiarisation with question styles via sample materials and developing reasoning skills through regular reading and critical thinking at home.

What does consistently help: high-quality timed practice tests that mirror the real exam format, plus expert feedback on Writing. Selectivetrial bundles both — full mock papers across all four sections, plus tutor-marked writing in the Premium packs.

Abstract Reasoning is the section most students have no school exposure to. Useful strategies:

• Build a mental checklist of variables: shape, size, shading, orientation, position, count. Run through each variable when scanning a pattern.
• Practise "row vs column" thinking: some patterns repeat along rows, others along columns, others diagonally.
• Use the "elimination drill": if you can't see the pattern, eliminate answers that violate one variable at a time.
• Time-box ruthlessly: at roughly 50–60 seconds per question, never spend more than 90 seconds on one. Flag and move on.
• Practise volume. Abstract Reasoning rewards pattern fluency more than insight — the more puzzles your child sees, the faster they decode them.

The Writing section rewards thought, structure and sophistication — not handwriting speed. Focus practice on:

• Planning in the first 2 minutes: a clear thesis or narrative arc, with three or four supporting points.
• Variety of forms: discursive, persuasive, narrative, personal recount and reflective writing.
• Vocabulary stretch: swap "very good" for "consummate," "big" for "monumental." Build a personal word bank.
• Sentence variety: mix short, declarative sentences with longer, layered ones.
• Proofreading discipline: always leave 2 minutes at the end for a clean-up pass.

Crucially, get every practice piece marked by an experienced reviewer. Self-assessment is the weakest signal in writing — expert feedback is what moves the needle.

Selectivetrial has built a high-quality question bank for HAST based on the ACER curriculum, sample papers and current test format. Practising on the platform gives students:

• Confidence about the question pattern and what kinds of questions can be asked
• Exposure to the real difficulty level expected at each year level
• Time-management instinct through timed scoring
• Detailed worked solutions for every question, with the reasoning behind the answer
• Performance analytics so parents see weak topics clearly

Our subject experts and qualified Australian tutors design each paper to mirror the real test in interface, question method, difficulty level and pacing.

Every HAST package follows the ACER format and includes:

• 21 full-set exam-style practice test papers (18 for Year 11 entry)
• 7 full sets each of Reading, Mathematical Reasoning and Abstract Reasoning
• 3 to 4 Writing topics (Standard packs) or 6 Writing topics (Premium packs)
• Unlimited attempts of every question paper
• Full solution review for every question
• 180 days of access from purchase

Premium packs add tutor-marked Writing with brief written feedback from selective-passed-out tutors.

If you've purchased one of our Marked Writing packs or a Premium HAST package, every Writing submission is reviewed by an experienced Australian tutor. Each piece is graded and returned with structured feedback within three to four working days of submission, covering:

• How well the response addresses the theme or stimulus
• Structure, creativity and idea development
• Grammar, punctuation, spelling and vocabulary

Students can submit Writing at any point during the subscription, provided the final submission is at least seven days before access ends.

Yes. Selectivetrial offers a 3-day free HAST trial covering Reading, Mathematics, Writing and Abstract Reasoning. No credit card is required — sign up, get instant access, and experience the same platform interface and question quality used in our paid packs.

Start your free trial here: selectivetrial.com.au/course/hast/