Securing a place in a Selective High School is highly competitive, and understanding the test format is the first crucial step toward success. The exam is specifically designed not just to test what a student knows, but how they think, reason, and apply knowledge under pressure.
Let’s break down the four key sections of the exam so your child knows exactly what to expect.
1. Reading Test
Duration: 40 minutes
Questions: 30 multiple-choice
The reading section evaluates a student’s ability to comprehend, interpret, and analyze various texts. Students will encounter a mix of genres, including fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and informative articles.
- What they look for: The ability to infer meaning, understand the author’s tone and purpose, and locate specific information within dense text.
- TutorWise Tip: Encourage your child to read widely outside of school hours. Discussing the motivations of characters in a novel or the main arguments in a news article is excellent organic practice.
2. Mathematical Reasoning Test
Duration: 40 minutes
Questions: 35 multiple-choice
This is not a standard arithmetic test. While it covers the syllabus up to Year 6, the questions are designed to test deep problem-solving skills and the ability to apply mathematical concepts to novel situations.
- What they look for: Logical thinking, spatial reasoning, data interpretation, and multi-step problem-solving.
- TutorWise Tip: Past papers are essential here. Students need to become comfortable identifying what mathematical operation a complex word problem is actually asking them to perform.
3. Thinking Skills Test
Duration: 40 minutes
Questions: 40 multiple-choice
Replacing the old "General Ability" test, this section focuses heavily on logic, deduction, and critical thinking. It is often the section students are least familiar with, as it isn't explicitly taught in standard primary school curricula.
- What they look for: Spatial reasoning, recognizing patterns, evaluating arguments, and deductive logic (e.g., "If all A is B, and some B is C...").
- TutorWise Tip: Logic puzzles, Sudoku, and strategy games can help build the neural pathways required for this section. Formal tutoring is highly recommended to learn the specific frameworks for solving these puzzles quickly.
4. Writing Test
Duration: 30 minutes
Task: 1 extended response
Students are given a stimulus—such as an image, a quote, or a statement—and asked to write a piece in response. The genre can be creative, persuasive, or informative.
- What they look for: Originality, structured arguments, sophisticated vocabulary, and excellent grammar and punctuation.
- TutorWise Tip: 30 minutes goes incredibly fast. Students must practice spending 3-5 minutes planning their response before they start writing to ensure a cohesive structure.
Preparing for the Selective exam is a marathon, not a sprint. Learn more about our structured Selective Prep program to give your child the competitive edge.