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Selective Guide — Start Here

Updated:

Reading time: 3–4 minutes

A single place to learn the essentials: what the selective test actually tests, how results are reported, how writing fits in, how to plan your months, and how to structure each week.

Core areas

Important selective test dates

  • Application open/close dates
  • Test dates & make-up test
  • Results & school choice deadlines

The selective high schools in NSW

  • What schools offer selective placement in NSW
  • Fully selective, partially selective and agricultural schools
  • School choices, travel and fit

Gain a deep understanding of all the questions

  • Reading • Thinking Skills • Mathematical Reasoning • Writing
  • What each section really tests
  • Patterns, timing cues, practice flow

Know what you're getting into — understand selective scoring

  • Performance report bands
  • Scaled results (not raw %)
  • What affects offers

Develop an overall plan

  • Pick a timeline track
  • Balance all four test sections
  • When to use each test type

Build a detailed weekly plan

  • Study space & devices
  • Weekly loop (mini → section → writing → full)
  • Review process that actually sticks

See how selective preparation works here

  • Online practice across all four sections
  • Writing submitted and marked
  • Weekly plans built from what your child gets wrong

Selective Test Week — what to bring and how to prepare

  • The official NSW checklist
  • The week before, night before, morning of
  • What if something goes wrong

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Next steps

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Your child's personal trainer for the NSW OC and Selective tests — a weekly plan that knows what to work on, and the proof that it worked. Built by a NSW parent, tested with NSW kids.

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