Selective school courses and tutoring: do we need them?
Independent. Not affiliated with the NSW Department of Education.
Most families can start with the Department's free Selective and OC practice and steady work at home: it says coaching isn't necessary. Pay for help only to close a clear gap, and check what you're buying first.
If you decide to practise at home, a free Selective section, with no account, is a fair way to test us against this checklist.
We sell practice tests. These criteria apply to us too. This page names no provider, ranks none, and asks the same questions of our own product.
Does your child need a Selective or OC course?
Usually not to start. The Department, which runs both tests, says coaching is not necessary1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published and doesn't recommend or endorse coaching for the test1NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published. These are its reasons, in our words.
The test needs nothing new
The Department says there's no new or special knowledge needed1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, so paid coaching gives no advantage.
No research shows coaching works
It says no credible research shows coaching helps1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published a child gain entry.
Coached children who get in would likely get in anyway
In its words, a coached child who gets in would likely have got a place anyway1NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Too much can hurt
It says many coached children don't get a place, and too much coaching can harm wellbeing1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published.
What the Department does want is for children to know the question types and the format. It offers free resources in the Student Resource Hub1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, and its online practice tests copy the real test screen. 1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published
When is outside help unnecessary?
When your child can learn from their own mistakes with you beside them. If most of these are true, keep going at home and save your money.
Your child has tried the Department's free online practice tests.
When you go through a wrong answer together, your child can see why.
You can find short, regular times to practise together.
Your child still has time for sport, friends and sleep.
The test is a while away, and nobody is panicking.
The Department's own advice is that your child needs only a small amount of preparation2NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published.
How do the options compare?
Each option suits a different family. This table sets them side by side before any advice, with what to watch for in each.
| Option | What you get | What it costs | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Department's resources | The test structure, question types, tips and online practice tests 1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published | Nothing | Its PDF papers are older paper-based versions1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published. |
| Books and practice at home | Your own pace and routine | The price of the books | Whether the questions match the current computer-based test |
| A private tutor | One person who sets work and explains it | Ask for the full price per term | Travel time, and pressure on your child |
| A coaching class or course | A group, a timetable and set homework | Ask for the full price per term or year | Group size, homework load and how mistakes are explained |
| An online practice service (we're one) | Timed questions and explanations on demand | Ask for the full price, the period and how to cancel | Whether its questions fit the current test, and what it promises |
The coaching industry is, in the words of the 2025 test review for the Department, a self-regulated industry3NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published. So the checks below are yours to make.
Which way do your family's answers point?
Answer three questions: which test, where your child is stuck, and who will keep practice going. You'll see where your answers point, and why. Nothing is sent or stored, and no answer suggests our product.
No account · nothing sent
Work out your case
Check your choices
Answer each question to see your case.
For your situation
The OC test has no writing section 5NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, so there's no writing feedback to pay for. Start with the Department's free resources in the Student Resource Hub1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published. The Department says coaching isn't necessary. 1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published
For your situation
Outside help can make sense when the same mistakes keep coming and you can't explain them. Check that any service explains every wrong answer. The Department says coaching isn't necessary, so start small. 1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published
For your situation
For writing, look for feedback tied to the published criteria: Ideas, purpose and audience, language for effect1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published. Ask who or what marks it. The Department says coaching isn't necessary. 1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published
For your situation
If your child works better with someone outside the family, a tutor or class can help keep a routine. Watch cost, travel and pressure: the Department notes too much coaching can harm wellbeing1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published.
For your situation
If your time is short, a set routine with someone else can be easier to keep. Before paying, check the full price and how to cancel. The Department says coaching isn't necessary. 1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published
Every case, in one table
The helper reads the first row that matches your answers.
| Which test | Where your child is stuck | Who keeps practice going | Where it points |
|---|---|---|---|
| OC | Writing feedback | Any | The OC test has no writing section 5NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, so there's no writing feedback to pay for. Start with the Department's free resources in the Student Resource Hub1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published. The Department says coaching isn't necessary. 1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Either | The same mistakes, and you can't explain them | Any | Outside help can make sense when the same mistakes keep coming and you can't explain them. Check that any service explains every wrong answer. The Department says coaching isn't necessary, so start small. 1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Selective | Writing feedback | Any | For writing, look for feedback tied to the published criteria: Ideas, purpose and audience, language for effect1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published. Ask who or what marks it. The Department says coaching isn't necessary. 1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Either | Nowhere in particular | Someone outside the family | If your child works better with someone outside the family, a tutor or class can help keep a routine. Watch cost, travel and pressure: the Department notes too much coaching can harm wellbeing1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published. |
| Either | Nowhere in particular | Our time is short | If your time is short, a set routine with someone else can be easier to keep. Before paying, check the full price and how to cancel. The Department says coaching isn't necessary. 1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Either | Nowhere in particular | We can, at home | Start at home with the Department's free resources in the Student Resource Hub1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, and review every mistake together. The Department says coaching isn't necessary. 1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published |
What should you ask a provider before you pay?
Ask these before you pay anyone, including us. A good provider answers them plainly, in writing.
Are the questions written for the current computer-based test, not old paper papers?
Does every wrong answer come with an explanation your child can follow?
Is writing feedback tied to the published criteria (Ideas, purpose and audience, language for effect1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published), and does it say who or what marks it?
How will you see progress, by section and by topic?
What's the full price, for what period, and how do you cancel?
Can your child try it first, free?
What does it store about your child, and who sees it?
What are the warning signs?
Walk away from anyone who promises what no one can deliver. Each of these is a claim the Department's own rules contradict.
A promised offer or a promised score
Leaked or "real" test papers
School rankings and cut-offs
The Department ranks no school 7NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Not published and sets no cut-off. A league table is someone's estimate.
Predicting your child's band or chance
Nobody outside the Department sees the results it uses. Even outside results, such as coaching college tests, aren't grounds for an appeal4NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Claims of Department approval
The Department doesn't recommend or endorse coaching for the test1NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published. A badge or a "recommended" line means nothing.
Selling the free sample tests
The Department's sample tests are free, for personal, non-commercial use only1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published. You never need to pay for them.
What should you ask about cost?
Ask for the whole cost, in writing, before your child starts. These questions turn a weekly or termly price into a real number.
| Ask | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| What's the full price for the whole period, not just per lesson? | Small weekly prices add up over months. |
| What's included, and what costs extra? | Books, mock exam days and writing marking are often separate. |
| How do we cancel, and is any part refunded? | You should be able to stop without a fight. |
| Is there a free first session or trial period? | Your child's reaction is worth more than a brochure. |
| How much travel time does it add each week? | Time is a cost too: less travel could reduce harm to schoolwork and wellbeing8NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published. |
Remember what's already free: applying and sitting the test 9NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, and the Department's practice tests. 1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published
How does the choice work out for different families?
These are worked examples, not real families. None can say whether help will change an outcome.
The same maths mistakes, every time
Your child keeps losing marks on the same kind of maths question, and your explanations aren't landing.
A few targeted sessions can make sense. Choose help that explains every wrong answer, and stop when the gap closes. 1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published
Writing with no one to read it
Your child is sitting the Selective test, and you don't feel able to judge their writing.
Look for feedback tied to the published criteria: Ideas, purpose and audience, language for effect1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published. Ask who or what marks it.
Two working parents, little time
You both work long days, and practice keeps slipping.
A set routine with someone else can help. Price the whole period first, and check how to cancel.
An anxious child, already busy
Your child does coaching twice a week and is losing sleep before the test.
Cut back. The Department advises you to keep up activities, friends, healthy food and sleep2NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, and says too much coaching can harm wellbeing1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published.
What does SelectiveReady sell, and does it pass this checklist?
We sell online practice for the Selective test: NSW Selective practice: four sections, results, lessons, writing feedback10SelectiveReady · 12 October 2026 · Published. Judge us by the questions above. Here's what our app does, and what it doesn't.
Drill by topic
Your child gets drills by section and topic; a free account drills the free test's questions, and a paid plan opens the rest11SelectiveReady · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Progress
A progress screen shows every attempt, an accuracy trend and results by topic11SelectiveReady · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Writing feedback
It's automated AI feedback, not a Department mark10SelectiveReady · 12 October 2026 · Published, and it can be wrong.
Your child can take one full practice test with results, with a free account10SelectiveReady · 12 October 2026 · Published. Plans, prices and cancelling are on our pricing page.
How do we protect our child's wellbeing while preparing?
Keep preparation small and life normal. The Department advises you to keep up activities, friends, healthy food and sleep2NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published in the lead-up.
For many children it's the first time they have sat a test like this5NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published. More hours aren't always better. A calm, rested child shows what they know.
Questions parents ask about tutoring and courses
Can a child win a selective place without tutoring?
Yes. There's no new or special knowledge needed1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published for the test, and the Department says a coached child who gets in would likely have got a place anyway1NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Are books or online practice better?
The Department's online practice tests simulate the real test 1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, while its PDF papers are older paper-based versions. 1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published Practise on screen at least some of the time.
Are holiday mock exam days worth it?
They can show your child the timing. They can't predict an outcome, and the Department doesn't use them: outside results, such as coaching college tests, aren't grounds for an appeal4NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Can a provider predict our child's offer?
No. There's no set minimum entry score4NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, and each school's level depends on that year's applicants and places. 4NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published
Is tutoring for the OC test any different?
The same Department advice applies to both tests. 1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published The OC test has 35NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published sections and no writing, so there's less to cover.
How do we choose practice for a child with disability?
Try the Department's online practice first: it suggests your child try the online practice tests to check any assistive technology5NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published. It can also provide practice material in large print, black-and-white or braille5NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Next questions
Sources and checks
- SelectiveReady