NSW Selective past papers
Quick answer
These NSW Selective High School Placement Test past papers are the real test materials published by the NSW Department of Education, reproduced here as free PDFs for Year 6 students applying for Year 7 entry to NSW selective high schools. Each set covers Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, Thinking Skills and Writing.
- Paper sets
- 6
- Files
- 51
- Sections
- 4
Sourced from the NSW Department of EducationOfficial source
These Selective Test materials are published by the NSW Department of Education for students and families preparing for the NSW Selective High School Placement Test. Braintree Coaching Australia reproduces them here, unmodified, as a free study reference. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by the NSW Department of Education, and the version on the Department’s website remains the authoritative copy.
Past paper sets
Selective Test · Past paper set
2024 — Sitting 1
10 files in this set
Reading
- 17
- Questions
- 45m
- Time
17 questions including 3 multi-part items.
Mathematical Reasoning
- 35
- Questions
- 40m
- Time
Thinking Skills
- 40
- Questions
- 40m
- Time
Writing
- 1
- Question
- 30m
- Time
One written-response task.
Selective Test · Past paper set
2024 — Sitting 2
10 files in this set
Reading
- 17
- Questions
- 45m
- Time
17 questions including 3 multi-part items.
Mathematical Reasoning
- 35
- Questions
- 40m
- Time
Thinking Skills
- 40
- Questions
- 40m
- Time
Writing
- 1
- Question
- 30m
- Time
One written-response task.
Selective Test · Past paper set
2024 — Sitting 3
10 files in this set
Reading
- 17
- Questions
- 45m
- Time
17 questions including 3 multi-part items.
Mathematical Reasoning
- 35
- Questions
- 40m
- Time
Thinking Skills
- 40
- Questions
- 40m
- Time
Writing
- 1
- Question
- 30m
- Time
One written-response task.
A reminder. Every file below is reproduced exactly as published by the NSW Dept. of Education. Braintree Coaching Australia has not written, modified, re-marked, or paraphrased any question, answer, or explanation. These documents are shared for study reference only; the NSW Dept. of Education remains the authoritative source.
Selective Test · Past paper set
2023
7 files in this set
Reading
- 17
- Questions
- 45m
- Time
17 questions including 3 multi-part items.
Mathematical Reasoning
- 35
- Questions
- 40m
- Time
Thinking Skills
- 40
- Questions
- 40m
- Time
Writing
- 1
- Question
- 30m
- Time
One written-response task.
Selective Test · Past paper set
2022
7 files in this set
Reading
- 17
- Questions
- 45m
- Time
17 questions including 3 multi-part items.
Mathematical Reasoning
- 35
- Questions
- 40m
- Time
Thinking Skills
- 40
- Questions
- 40m
- Time
Writing
- 1
- Question
- 30m
- Time
One written-response task.
Selective Test · Past paper set
2021
7 files in this set
Reading
- 17
- Questions
- 45m
- Time
17 questions including 3 multi-part items.
Mathematical Reasoning
- 35
- Questions
- 40m
- Time
Thinking Skills
- 40
- Questions
- 40m
- Time
Writing
- 1
- Question
- 30m
- Time
One written-response task.
How to get the most from these papers
- 01
Start with one paper as a diagnostic
Have your child sit the earliest set first, in one timed sitting, with no prep beforehand. The result shows you which section needs the most attention before you plan any further practice.
- 02
Save the most recent set for last
The 2024 papers are the closest match to the current computer-based format. Keep one aside and sit it a couple of weeks before the real test, under timed conditions, as a final rehearsal.
- 03
Review the answer, not just the score
An answer key tells you right from wrong; it does not explain why a particular option was chosen. Where a worked explanation is provided, read it together, and talk through the writing task with a teacher.
Sit a fresh paper, marked by our examiners
Braintree Coaching Australia runs full mock tests in the same format as these official papers, with human-marked writing feedback and a per-section breakdown. The first mock test is free.
Past papers for other exams
All practice resourcesSource & copyright notice
All Selective Test papers, answer keys and explanatory materials on this page are the copyright of the NSW Department of Education (and, where applicable, the assessment partner the Department appoints to develop the test). They are hosted by Braintree Coaching Australia solely as a free educational reference for families preparing for the NSW Selective High School Placement Test.
Braintree Coaching Australia does not claim authorship of these documents and is not affiliated with, authorised by, or endorsed by the NSW Department of Education. No question, answer, marking guide, or explanation has been written, altered, re-marked, or paraphrased by us; the files are reproduced as published. For the authoritative versions, visit the NSW Department of Education website.
If you are the rights holder and would like a document removed or its attribution amended, please email copyright@braintreecoaching.com.au and we will action your request within one business day.
- Original publisher
- NSW Department of Education
- Source
- education.nsw.gov.au