How to Succeed in the NSW Selective High School Placement Test
These tips have been prepared for Selective students by one of our expert Selective teachers. Janet is a former Swot Shop student who succeeded in the NSW Selective Test herself, gaining access to Sydney Girls High School. Janet graduated from the University of Sydney with Honours First Class and today works as a mathematics teacher at a selective school.
The Selective School Test is fast approaching (2-3 May) and students across NSW are doing their final preparation. Whether you’ve been studying all year or just getting into gear now, here’s how to walk into the test room feeling focused, prepared and ready to do your best.
How to Prepare in the Final Week
1. Review under test-like conditions
Now is the time to practise under conditions that mirror the real test; timed, quiet and distraction-free.
Try the official Selective school practice tests here:
https://se-practice.au.insights.janison.com/pages/shs
Set a timer and complete each section in the correct order:
- Reading (40 min)
- Mathematical Reasoning (40 min)
- Thinking Skills (40 min)
- Writing (30 min)
This will help build focus, pacing and test-day confidence.
2. Practise multiple choice strategy
The online Selective school practice tests let you flag questions, so if you’re stuck, guess, flag it and move on. Come back later if there’s time.
Never leave a question blank. A random guess gives you a 25% chance of being right, but you can boost those odds by:
- Eliminating obviously wrong options,
- Looking for answers that don’t fit the question’s logic or tone,
- Watching out for extreme or unrelated options.
3. Focus on timing, not perfection
In every test, some questions will be harder and others easier; they’re scattered randomly, not grouped by difficulty. Each question is worth the same score so don’t get stuck on a tough one.
- If a question is eating up time, guess, flag it and move on,
- Finish the whole test first, then return to flagged questions if you have time.
It’s not about getting every question right. It’s about getting as many right as possible within the time limit.
4. Prepare mentally and physically
The final few days are just as much about mindset as they are about study.
- Prioritise sleep and regular meals to stay sharp and steady,
- Talk through the plan: where the test is, who’s dropping you off, what you’ll bring,
- Practise calming strategies like deep breathing, counting to 10 or visualising success. These tools are handy if nerves kick in on the day.
Smart Time Management on the Day
Before the test:
- Eat lunch before heading to the test centre,
- Wear school uniform,
- Pack: test ticket, 2 pencils, eraser, sharpener, clear water bottle, snack.
(Leave smartwatches, phones, calculators, and pencil cases at home).
During the test:
- Use the countdown timer on your computer screen to manage time,
- Don’t get stuck – guess, flag, move on,
- Use breaks to relax, hydrate, eat and reset.
After the test:
- Walk out with the invigilators to meet your parent or carer,
- Don’t discuss test questions with others,
- Talk about how you felt, not what you answered,
- Be proud of yourself for finishing a big challenge!
Section Tips
Reading (40 min):
- 16 questions with up to 30 responses
- Read carefully as some questions have dropdowns, others use drag-and-drop
- Pace yourself as some questions are multi-step
Mathematical Reasoning (40 min):
- 35 multiple choice questions
- Use the working out paper provided; draw diagrams to help visualise problems
- Be accurate but keep moving; don’t let one tricky question slow you down
Thinking Skills (40 min):
- 40 multiple choice questions
- Pay close attention to what the question is asking:
- Are you looking for what strengthens or weakens an argument?
- Is the answer supposed to be false or not possible?
- Watch for negative wording; words like not, never, least likely can trip you up
Writing (30 min):
- One writing task
- Make a quick plan (2-3 mins), write (20 mins), edit (2-3 mins)
- Stay on topic; even a well-written piece will lose marks if it drifts off-topic
Top Mistakes Students Make and How to Avoid Them
| Mistake | Better Strategy |
| Not reading questions carefully | Read every word, especially in complex or multi-step questions |
| Spending too long on one question | Guess, flag, and move on; come back if time allows |
| Leaving questions blank | Always guess! You’ve got a 25% chance and maybe more if you rule out some options |
| Ignoring the question’s focus | Watch for words like “not”, “except”, “most likely” etc. |
| Writing a great story that’s off-topic | Stick to the prompt! You lose marks for going off-track |
| Cramming the night before | Do light review early in the day, then rest as your brain needs to be fresh and alert |
Final Thoughts
This test is just one step in your learning journey but it’s a great opportunity to show what you can do. Stay calm, manage your time and trust your preparation.
From all of us at Swot Shop, good luck! You’ve worked hard. Now it’s time to show it.
