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Preparing for the Selective test without coaching

The NSW Department of Education does not recommend coaching for the placement test. Here is what it does suggest: good attendance, familiarity with the format, calm routines, and free official practice.

Last checked against the official sources.

The Department of Education does not recommend or endorse coaching for the Selective placement test. Its advice is simple: regular attendance at school, and familiarity with the test structure. Free official practice is available, and the Department says only a small amount of preparation is needed. Sleep, routine and a calm home matter more than extra hours of drills.

What the Department says

The Department of Education is direct about this. On its practice test pages it says: "coaching or tutoring for the placement test is not necessary", and "The department does not recommend or endorse coaching for the placement test. There is no credible research that shows coaching helps a child gain entry." (NSW Department of Education, checked 7 October 2026)

That is the official position, and we think parents should hear it first and plainly.

An honest note about us

ExamExplained is run alongside a tutoring business. We are not affiliated with the Department. We have written this section to be useful whether or not you ever buy anything from anyone. If the Department's advice is right, and it is the Department that runs the test, then you can prepare well for free.

What the Department does recommend

The Department points to two things: regular school attendance and familiarity with the test structure. In practice, that looks like this.

Keep attending school

Regular attendance is the simplest thing you can do, and the Department asks for it. It also matters for placement: if a student misses too many days without a good reason, the Department tells the selection committee, which may not place students who do not have good attendance. Do not take your child out of school to prepare for the test. If your child has missed a lot of school, talk to the school.

Read widely

The Reading section uses a mix of text types, and the Selective version includes comparing two extracts. There is no shortcut here. Regular reading of fiction, non-fiction, poetry and articles, and talking about what was read, builds the skill the test looks at. It also costs nothing.

Write a little, for a purpose

The Selective test has one typed writing task of 30 minutes. The Department says it is marked on creativity of ideas, writing for purpose and audience, and language for effect, and that grammar, punctuation, spelling and vocabulary also contribute. At home, this means occasional writing with a real reader in mind: a letter, a story, a review of a book. Keep it relaxed. A child who enjoys writing will write better than one who dreads a weekly timed task.

Get used to a computer

The test is done on a computer at a local test centre. Typing for 30 minutes and moving between questions on screen is different from paper. The free online practice tests let your child try the format. See our guide to the official practice tests.

Sleep, food and routine

These are not extras. A rested child with a normal breakfast is in a better position than a tired child who did one more worksheet. Keep the weeks before the test ordinary.

Keep it in proportion

A good school year, a settled child and a family that talks about the test calmly are worth more than any single practice session. If you would like to plan ahead, what if we miss out explains the options.

A simple, low-stress plan

  1. Make sure you understand the format: see the Selective test format.
  2. Look at the Department's free resources together. Start with the Social Stories and videos, which explain what happens on the day.
  3. Do one or two online practice tests with a countdown timer, in a quiet space. Talk about the answers afterwards.
  4. Use our free practice questions if you want more, written by us from the published structure and not taken from the real test.
  5. Stop. Keep reading, keep sleeping, keep school normal.

What to avoid

  • Anything that promises a place. Nobody can promise this, and the Department publishes no minimum score.
  • Anyone who offers "recalled" questions from earlier sittings. The Department treats sharing test content as malpractice. See the test day checklist.
  • Letting practice take over weekends, holidays or friendships.

Sources

Department of Education wording on this page is quoted or adapted briefly under CC BY 4.0. © State of New South Wales (Department of Education), 2023. Licence: CC BY 4.0. ExamExplained has changed and summarised the text and is not endorsed by the Department.

Frequently asked questions

Does my child need a tutor or coaching college to get into a selective school?
The Department does not recommend or endorse coaching and says there is no credible research that it helps a child gain entry. Many families choose some support anyway. It is your decision, and it is not a requirement of the process.
How much practice is enough?
The Department does not give a number. Its advice is regular school attendance and familiarity with the test structure. A few short sessions with the free official practice tests is a reasonable way to become familiar with the computer format.
Should we practise writing at home?
The Selective test has one typed writing task of 30 minutes. General writing for fun, with a clear purpose and reader in mind, is sensible. There is no need for formal drills or a stack of timed essays.
Does the test cover things my child has not learned at school?
The Department says the questions draw upon concepts from the NSW curriculum up to Year 6, and that students do not need any extra knowledge. Thinking skills questions are different in style from normal schoolwork, which is why seeing the format once or twice helps.

Sources