When should we start selective test prep?
Most families start 6 to 12 months before the exam. Earlier preparation should focus on reading and reasoning habits rather than full papers.
Selective Test Prep by Year Level: What to Do and When
The right preparation depends on how far away the exam is. The NSW selective test is mainly for Year 7 entry and is sat in Year 6. The Victorian selective entry exam is for Year 9 entry and is sat in Year 8. This timeline shows what to focus on at each stage.
Year 4: build reading and number habits
- Read widely and often, including non-fiction and poetry, and talk about what was read.
- Build number fluency: times tables, mental arithmetic and fractions.
- Introduce puzzles and logic games for fun, with no pressure and no timers.
Year 5: learn the question types
- Work through Reading, Mathematical Reasoning and Thinking Skills one section at a time, untimed at first.
- Move to short timed sets once the question types feel familiar.
- Write regularly, alternating imaginative and persuasive pieces, and edit them.
- Sit a mini practice test once a term to see progress.
Year 6: the NSW exam year
The NSW test is sat in Year 6 for Year 7 entry and is held in May, on a computer provided by the Department, so the preparation window is short. Confirm the dates on the NSW Department of Education site, as they change each year.
- Before May: fix weak topics and time each section.
- Final 6 to 8 weeks before the test: sit full papers under strict conditions, with the same break pattern as the real test.
- Practise typed Writing, since the test is computer-based.
- Review every paper before sitting the next one.
Year 7: lay the base for Victorian entry
- Keep extending reading and maths beyond the classroom.
- Practise reasoning on unfamiliar problems, not just topic revision.
- Look at the ACER selective entry information for the format and sections.
Year 8: the Victorian exam year
The Victorian exam is sat in Year 8 for Year 9 entry and has recently been held in June. Section names and timings are set by ACER and have changed between years, so confirm them on the ACER site.
- Early in the year: learn the format and time each section.
- Closer to the exam: sit full papers to build stamina across a long testing session.
- Keep written expression sharp with regular timed Writing.
Later entry and other year levels
Some NSW selective high schools offer places for entry in Years 8 to 11. The Department of Education says to contact those schools directly, as they explain their own entry requirements and any tests. The same skills apply: reading closely, flexible maths and logical thinking.
Frequently asked questions
What year level do students sit the selective test?
The NSW test is mainly for Year 7 entry and is sat in Year 6. The Victorian selective entry exam is for Year 9 entry and is sat in Year 8.
Is it too late to start in the exam year?
No, but the time is tight. Focus on the question types, fix the biggest weaknesses first and sit full timed papers in the final 6 to 8 weeks.
Do the same materials work for NSW and Victoria?
The core skills overlap, so shared practice is useful. Add state-specific timed papers closer to the exam, and confirm the current format with the NSW Department of Education or ACER.