Selective School Test past papers
Free PDF downloads of the NSW Selective High School Placement Test practice tests and sample tests published by the NSW Department of Education. The department's current papers come first, with answer keys and explained answers, then the earlier papers it no longer lists.
- papers
- 8
- PDFs
- 45
- years covered
- 2001–2026
On the department's practice-test page today
2026 Selective practice test
The department has published only the Mathematical Reasoning paper for this test.
| Section | Question paper | Answers | Explained answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematical Reasoning | Questions | Answer key | Explained answers |
© NSW Department of Education. Explained answers © UCLES.
2022 Selective practice test
The Reading paper is the department's revised edition: 45 minutes and 38 answers, as in today's test.
| Section | Question paper | Answers | Explained answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | Questions | Answer key | Explained answers |
| Mathematical Reasoning | Questions | Answer key | Explained answers |
| Thinking Skills | Questions | Answer key | Explained answers |
| Writing | Questions | No answer key published | Not published |
© NSW Department of Education. Explained answers © UCLES.
2021 Selective practice & sample tests
Practice test · Sample practice test 2
The Reading paper is the department's revised edition: 45 minutes and 38 answers, as in today's test.
The department's Reading answer key for this test still lists the 30 answers of the earlier edition, so it is not linked here. The explained answers cover all 38.
| Section | Question paper | Answers | Explained answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | Questions | In the explained answers | Explained answers |
| Mathematical Reasoning | Questions | Answer key | Explained answers |
| Thinking Skills | Questions | Answer key | Explained answers |
| Writing | Questions | No answer key published | Not published |
© NSW Department of Education. Explained answers © UCLES.
Sample test · Sample practice test 1
The Reading paper is the department's revised edition: 45 minutes and 38 answers, as in today's test.
The department's Reading answer key for this test still lists the 30 answers of the earlier edition, so it is not linked here. The explained answers cover all 38.
| Section | Question paper | Answers | Explained answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | Questions | In the explained answers | Explained answers |
| Mathematical Reasoning | Questions | Answer key | Explained answers |
| Thinking Skills | Questions | Answer key | Explained answers |
| Writing | Questions | No answer key published | Not published |
© NSW Department of Education. Explained answers © UCLES.
Earlier papers, no longer on the department's page
2023 Selective practice test
For copyright reasons, the Reading paper leaves out the extracts for questions 1-8 and 15-20.
| Section | Question paper | Answers |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | Questions | Answer key |
| Mathematical Reasoning | Questions | Answer key |
| Thinking Skills | Questions | Answer key |
| Writing | Questions | No answer key published |
© Cambridge University Press & Assessment, 2023. Prepared for NSW Department of Education.
2003 Selective practice test
Each answer key is on the last page of its paper. Reading was not published for this year.
The department left out some items for copyright reasons.
| Section | Question paper | Answers |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | Questions | On the last page of the paper |
| General Ability | Questions | On the last page of the paper |
© 2003 NSW Department of Education and Training.
2002 Selective practice test
Each answer key is on the last page of its paper. Reading was not published for this year.
The department left out some items for copyright reasons.
| Section | Question paper | Answers |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | Questions | On the last page of the paper |
| General Ability | Questions | On the last page of the paper |
© 2002 NSW Department of Education and Training.
2001 Selective practice test
Each answer key is on the last page of its paper.
The department left out some items for copyright reasons.
| Section | Question paper | Answers |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | Questions | On the last page of the paper |
| Mathematics | Questions | On the last page of the paper |
| General Ability | Questions | On the last page of the paper |
© 2001 NSW Department of Education and Training.
Selective School Test Past Papers: common questions
Are these real Selective School Test past papers?
Every paper here was published by the NSW Department of Education as a practice test or a sample test for the Selective High School Placement Test. This is the official material families usually mean when they search for selective test past papers.
Do these papers match the test my child will sit?
Not in format. The department describes these PDFs as coming from older paper-based versions of the test, and the test is now sat on a computer. Sample practice tests 1 to 3 cover the same four sections as today's test: Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, Thinking Skills and Writing. Their Reading papers are revised editions with the 45 minutes and 38 answers of today's Reading test. The 2001 to 2003 papers come from an earlier test with Mathematics and General Ability sections. Use the papers for question practice and the department's online practice test to learn the screen.
Do the Selective past papers come with answers?
Yes. In the department's current set, every Mathematical Reasoning and Thinking Skills paper has an answer key and explained answers, and every Reading paper has explained answers. The 2023 practice test has answer keys only, and the 2001 to 2003 papers print the answer key on the last page. No answer key is published for Writing.
Are there Selective past papers for 2024, 2025 or 2026?
One. Sample practice test 4 is a Mathematical Reasoning paper issued in 2026, and it is the newest paper here. No full four-section paper is dated 2024 or later. For the current test, the department publishes an online computer-based practice test, linked at the top of this page.
Which Selective past paper should my child start with?
Start with Sample practice tests 1 to 3, the department's current set. They have today's four sections, and explained answers for Reading, Mathematical Reasoning and Thinking Skills. Mark each paper and go back over every wrong answer before opening the next. Keep the 2023 practice test and the 2001 to 2003 papers for extra practice.
After the past papers
- NSW Selective School Test guideSections, timing, scoring and key dates for the test as it is sat now.
- Free Selective School Test practice questionsWorked examples for each section of today's test.
- Selective Test CalculatorSee which selective high schools a set of practice marks would put within reach.
- Selective test practice booksFull exam-style papers with worked solutions, for when the official papers run out.
Copyright and use
- These papers were published by the NSW Department of Education. Copyright belongs to the department and to Cambridge University Press & Assessment, as printed on each paper. iClass did not write them and does not own them.
- Each PDF is the department's original file, unchanged, with its copyright notice intact. They are free to download, with no sign-up.
- The copyright owners allow these papers to be used for personal, non-commercial study. Please do not sell or republish them.
- If you hold rights in any of these papers and would like it removed, email admin@iclass.com.au and we will take it down promptly.