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SelectiveReady · NSW Selective test practice for Years 4–6

The Selective clock starts at 45:00. Watch your child.

Four timed sections on a computer, as on test day. Then you see marks by topic and AI writing feedback against the exam's criteria.

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First full test free · No cardA$9 a week or A$99 for 12 months

A child works through a Reading question on SelectiveReady on a laptop while a parent beside them follows along on a phone.
SelectiveReady's Reading section. 17 questions and 38 answers, on a 45-minute clock.

  • 155 min

    four timed sections, as on test day

  • 38

    Reading answers in 45 minutes

  • AI

    writing feedback against the exam's criteria

  • 32

    video lessons, about 5 to 8 minutes each

  • A$0

    first full test, no card

Meet SelectiveReady

From the first question to the last mark

From the film: "Sign up, and SelectiveReady takes your child through it, and keeps you in the picture." beside the free test on a laptop and sign-up on a phone.

The clock, the newer Reading questions, AI writing feedback against the exam's criteria, and the results by topic.

Start the free test

What your child does

Your child's screen, up close

Timed questions, short video lessons by topic, and AI feedback on writing against the exam's criteria.

  • Timed practice. Full tests or one section at a time, on a clock that won't pause.

  • Video lessons. 32 lessons of about 5 to 8 minutes, each linked to topic practice.

  • Writing with AI feedback. What was strong, what to fix, and a next step against the exam's criteria.

What the test is like

Four sections. 155 minutes. All on a computer.

The NSW Selective High School Placement Test, sat in Year 6: what's in it and when.

A child, seen from behind, working on a SelectiveReady Maths question on a laptop.
The test-day order. SelectiveReady runs Reading, Maths, Thinking Skills, then Writing.

  1. Reading45 min

    17 questions, 38 answers. Fiction, non-fiction, poetry and articles, all read on screen.

  2. Mathematical Reasoning40 min

    35 questions, five options each.

  3. Thinking Skills40 min

    40 questions, four options each.

  4. Writing30 min

    One typed response to a set topic.

Three newer Reading question types

  • Word gaps. Pick the best word for each gap in a passage.
  • Sentence placing. Put removed sentences back where they belong.
  • Extract matching. Match each statement to the extract it describes.

Selective test dates

  • 19 Aug 2026Outcomes released (entry in 2027)Published
  • 3 Dec 2026, 3 pmReserve decision date (entry in 2027)Published
  • 17 Oct – 6 Nov 2026Dates for entry in 2028 announcedExpected
  • Nov 2026 – Feb 2027Applications for entry in 2028Expected

Children in Year 5 now apply for entry in 2028. Applications open in Year 5 and close in Year 6. We label every date we haven't seen published as expected.

What the Department says

The NSW Department of Education says coaching or tutoring for the test isn't necessary, because the test needs no new or special knowledge. It publishes free practice tests, including online ones that work like the test software.

Try the Department's free practice tests (opens in a new tab)

SelectiveReady isn't affiliated with or endorsed by the NSW Department of Education.

How close to test day?

Test day and SelectiveReady, side by side

The same sections, times and order. Where we work differently, the table says so.

TopicTest daySelectiveReady
WhereOn a Department computer, at a test centreOn your own computer at home, in a web browser
Sections and orderReading 45 → Maths 40 → Thinking 40 → Writing 30 minThe same sections, times and order
BreaksShort breaks, and a longer break mid-testAs long as your child needs, up to 4 hours; the next timer starts when they continue
Reading formatsWord gaps, sentence placing, extract matchingAll three
TimerCounts down; can be hiddenCounts down; can be hidden; can't be paused; the section submits at zero
WritingTyped, with basic formatting (bold, lists); no spell check; no word count shownTyped, plain text; spell check off; a word count is shown
Writing markingTwo trained examinersAI feedback against the exam's criteria: strengths and what to fix
QuestionsThe Department's own test questionsOur own practice questions, not real test questions
ResultsOutcomes released in AugustMarks by section and topic, straight away. No rank, percentile or prediction

Test-day timer and writing tools are as shown in the Department's online practice test.

For parents

Every mark, by topic, straight away

Your child practises. You see the marks, writing feedback and what to work on next.

A parent, seen from behind, looking at one test's SelectiveReady results summary on a phone.
SelectiveReady results on a phone: Mock Exam 6, 74%, Reading 31 of 38 and Maths 24 of 35.
Results on any phone. With SelectiveReady, you see marks by section and topic.
  • Results after every test, by section and topic
  • Progress over time: 7, 14, 30 or 90 days
  • Writing feedback against the criteria, with strengths and next steps
  • A welcome email with the free-test link
  • Help by email or chat, aiming to reply within 1 business day
  • Cancel or delete any time in Settings
  • Coming soonKey-date alerts
  • Coming soonA weekly note on your child's practice
  • Coming soonShort explainer videos on how Selective works

You sign up; your child practises; you see the results. Key-date alerts, a weekly note and explainer videos are coming soon.

Start the free test

Their laptop. Your phone. One account.

Your child practises in a browser on a laptop or desktop; you check results on your phone.

A laptop showing the SelectiveReady lessons library beside a phone on a stand showing Practice.
One account, two screens. SelectiveReady's lessons and practice on a laptop and a phone.

Pricing

A$9 a week, or A$99 for 12 months

  • Weekly

    A$9a week

    A$9 every 7 days until you cancel

    Cancel anytime in Settings. You keep access to the end of the paid week

    Choose Weekly

  • 12-Month Pack

    A$99once

    One payment. No subscription; it never renews

    Full refund within 7 days if no full test has been completed since buying

    About A$1.90 a week · Best value

    Choose the Pack

Both plans include

  • all our full practice tests
  • single sections
  • topic drills
  • writing feedback
  • 32 video lessons
  • results and progress by topic

Why so low? SelectiveReady is software, not a classroom. There are no rooms to rent or classes to staff.

One full practice test, all four sections, timed (about 2 h 35 min), with results and writing feedback, plus one video lesson. Sign up with Google or an email link. No card. We may change which test is free.

Start the free test

Prices in Australian dollars. No GST is charged: SelectiveReady isn't registered for GST. Payments are processed by Stripe; we never see your full card number.

SelectiveReady

Start the clock. First full test free.

Your child sits Reading, Maths, Thinking and Writing. Then you go through every mark together.

Start the free test

No card · Sign up with Google or an email link

A school backpack, a clear pencil case, a water bottle and an apple on a bench by the front door.
Ready on the day. SelectiveReady's first full practice test is free: four sections, 155 minutes.

Plain-English guides to the tests

Questions parents ask