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Australia · Entry test

How to pass the selective school test: what NSW and ACER advise

There’s no pass mark to aim for: offers go by how your child does compared with the others who applied for each school. So the official advice on how to pass the selective school test is about knowing the format and arriving rested, not learning new content. The New South Wales (NSW) Department of Education says a small amount of preparation is enough, and the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) says Victorian students don’t need to practise or revise.

  • NonePass or fail mark in the NSW test
  • Year 6Curriculum level the NSW questions draw on
  • Year 8 curriculumKnowledge limit for the Victorian exam
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Updated October 2026 · Written from official sources, listed at the bottom of this page

Selective school preparation the NSW department advises

  • Talk with your child about the benefits and challenges of selective education, and ask their teacher whether it would suit them.
  • Use the department’s free resources: the practice tests and the Student Resource Hub.
  • Remind your child they need only a small amount of preparation and don’t need coaching.
  • Keep up co-curricular activities, time with friends, healthy eating and sleep in the lead-up.
  • Keep going to school. The department tells the selection committee about poor attendance without a good reason, and the committee may not place those students.

What ACER advises for the Victorian exam

  • Understand the format and how to use the answer booklet.
  • Download the sample questions to see the style.
  • Manage time: don’t spend too long on one question. Make an informed guess and come back to it if there’s time.
  • Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep and doesn’t feel extra pressure.
  • Keep expectations realistic. It isn’t unusual to answer only half the questions correctly, and many students don’t finish.

Is coaching the way to pass the selective school test?

The NSW department doesn’t recommend or endorse coaching. It says the test needs no new or special knowledge, that there’s no credible research showing coaching helps a child gain entry, and that too much coaching can harm wellbeing. If you still want a course or book, the study options page lists some with prices where they’re shown.

Official practice tests →Tutoring and books →
Sources: NSW Department of Education · ACER and 2 more. Checked October 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.

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