Computer-Based Selective Test Prep Guide

Computer-Based Selective Test: How to Prepare for the Digital Format

Why This Guide Matters

From 2025, the NSW Selective High Schools Placement Test (SHSPT) is fully computer-based, delivered on the Janison digital assessment platform in partnership with Cambridge University Press & Assessment. This is a significant change from the previous paper-based format.

Many students are comfortable using computers for games and browsing, but taking a high-stakes test on screen is a different experience. Reading long passages on screen, typing an essay under time pressure, navigating between questions and managing dropdown menus all require practice.

This guide covers everything your child needs to know about the digital format and how to prepare for it.

What the Test Day Looks Like

Before You Arrive

• The test takes place at a designated external test centre (often a high school or large venue)
• Computers are provided by the department — students do not bring their own devices
• Bring water and any required identification
• Scratch paper is provided for working out and planning

At the Test Centre

• Students are assigned a workstation with a computer
• Login details are provided at the venue
• An invigilator explains how to navigate the platform before the test begins
• Students complete all four sections in one sitting with breaks between sections

What's on Screen

• Questions are displayed on the left, with answer options on the right (or below)
• For Reading, passages are in scrollable text areas — students scroll through the text and switch between the passage and questions
• For Writing, there is a text editor where students type their response
• For vocabulary cloze questions, blanks appear as dropdown menus within the passage
• A timer is visible on screen showing remaining time for the current section

The Five Skills Your Child Needs

1. Reading on Screen

Reading on a computer screen is different from reading on paper. Research shows that people read approximately 20–30% slower on screen and may struggle with retention compared to paper reading.

How the Reading section works:

• Passages are displayed in scrollable text areas
• Students need to scroll through longer texts
• They must switch between reading the passage and looking at the questions
• Multiple texts may be on screen for comparison questions

How to prepare:

• Practise reading longer articles on a computer screen (not a phone or tablet — use a desktop or laptop similar to what they'll use at the test)
• Read news articles, opinion pieces and stories on screen and practise summarising what you read
• Get comfortable scrolling through text and finding specific information by scrolling back
• Practice the official Janison online tests — they replicate the exact reading environment

Tips for test day:

• Don't try to memorise the passage — you can always scroll back to check
• For comparison questions with multiple texts, develop a system: read all texts first, then tackle questions
• Use the text carefully — the answer is always in the passage, not in your memory of it

2. Typing Under Pressure

The Writing section is now typed, not handwritten. This changes the preparation approach significantly.

What the Writing environment looks like:

• A simple text editor (not a word processor — no spell check, no autocorrect, no formatting tools)
• Standard keyboard for input
• The timer is visible on screen
• Your text appears as you type — there's no "undo" button for large deletions

How to prepare:

Typing speed and accuracy:

• Your child doesn't need to be a professional typist, but should be able to type at a comfortable pace without frequently looking at the keyboard
• A reasonable target is 25–35 words per minute — enough to write 400+ words in 20 minutes of typing time (leaving 5 min for planning and 5 min for review)
• Use free online typing tutors (TypingClub, Typing.com, Nitro Type) for 10–15 minutes daily
• The goal is fluency, not speed records — your child should be able to focus on ideas rather than finding keys

Composing on screen:

• Practise writing full essays on a computer (not just chat messages or short answers)
• Use our practice platform for realistic timed writing practice on screen
• Practise the full cycle: planning on scratch paper, typing the essay, then re-reading on screen to edit
• Get comfortable with basic editing: using backspace, selecting text, moving the cursor with arrow keys

Important differences from handwriting:

• Typing is generally faster than handwriting, so your child may be able to write more
• However, there's no spell check — spelling errors that autocorrect usually catches will now appear
• Editing is easier (delete and retype) but students need to practise re-reading their work on screen to catch errors
• Paragraph breaks are created by pressing Enter twice — practise this so paragraphing feels natural

3. Question Navigation and Flagging

The Janison platform allows students to move between questions within a section, which is a major advantage over paper tests if used correctly.

Navigation features:

• A question list or progress bar shows all questions in the section
• Students can jump to any question within the current section
• Questions can be "flagged" for review — marked so you can easily find them later
• You can change your answer at any time before the section ends

How to prepare:

• Use the official online practice tests to learn the navigation tools
• Practise the "flag and move on" strategy — it's crucial for Thinking Skills and Mathematical Reasoning where getting stuck on one question can cost you three easier ones
• Get comfortable jumping between questions and returning to flagged ones
• Know that you cannot go back to a previous section once a new section starts

Strategy for test day:

• Work through questions in order on your first pass
• Flag any question that takes more than 60–90 seconds
• Never leave a question blank — make your best guess before flagging
• After completing all questions, use remaining time to return to flagged questions
• The platform shows which questions are answered and which are flagged — use this to manage your time

4. Dropdown Menus (Vocabulary Cloze)

The new vocabulary cloze questions in Reading use dropdown menus — a format that doesn't exist in paper tests.

How it works:

• A passage is displayed with blanks
• Each blank has a small dropdown arrow
• Clicking the arrow reveals 4–5 word/phrase options
• You select the best option for each blank
• You can change your selection at any time

How to prepare:

• Use the official online practice tests — they include this question type
• Practise cloze exercises where you select from multiple options (not just fill-in-the-blank)
• Get comfortable with the physical action of clicking dropdowns — it sounds simple, but under time pressure, unfamiliar interface elements can slow you down

Tips for test day:

• Read the entire passage first before filling any blanks
• Fill the easiest blanks first (where one option clearly fits)
• For harder blanks, try each option in the sentence and pick the one that sounds most natural
• After filling all blanks, re-read the complete passage to check it flows naturally

5. Managing Scratch Paper Alongside a Screen

Students receive physical scratch paper for planning and working out, while all answers are entered on screen. Managing this dual workflow needs practice.

When to use scratch paper:

• Writing: Plan your essay structure (brainstorm, outline) before typing
• Mathematical Reasoning: Write out calculations, draw diagrams, work through multi-step problems
• Thinking Skills: Draw arrangement diagrams, Venn diagrams, trace patterns, sketch grids
• Reading: Note key points from passages if needed for comparison questions

How to prepare:

• During practice tests, always use scratch paper alongside the screen — simulate the real environment
• Develop a quick planning template for Writing that fits on half a page: prompt analysis → 3 key ideas → opening hook → ending
• For Maths and Thinking Skills, practise drawing quick diagrams and tables — neatness doesn't matter, clarity does

Setting Up a Practice Environment at Home

To prepare effectively for the computer-based format, create a practice setup that mirrors test conditions:

Equipment

• Desktop or laptop computer (not a tablet or phone) — as close to a standard school/test-centre computer as possible
• External keyboard if using a laptop — some test centres may use desktop computers with separate keyboards
• Standard mouse (not a trackpad) — practise clicking and selecting with a mouse
• Scratch paper and pencil next to the computer

Environment

• Quiet room with no distractions
• Timer visible (use a phone timer placed face-up near the screen, or an on-screen timer)
• No spell check or autocorrect — if typing in a word processor for practice, turn these off
• No internet access during practice (to prevent looking things up)

Practice Routine

1. Weeks 8–6 before the test: Use the official Janison online practice tests to learn the platform (untimed)
2. Weeks 6–4: Complete practice sections under timed conditions on the computer; focus on one section at a time
3. Weeks 4–2: Full practice tests on the computer under strict test conditions (all four sections, with scratch paper, timed)
4. Final 2 weeks: One final full practice test to confirm comfort with the format; light typing practice to maintain fluency

Common Computer-Based Test Mistakes

Not practising on the actual platform

The official Janison online practice tests are free and essential. Students who walk into the test without having used the platform waste precious minutes figuring out navigation, flagging and dropdowns.

Typing too slowly

Students who hunt-and-peck for each letter may write 150–200 words in 20 minutes instead of 350–400. Start typing practice early — ideally 2–3 months before the test.

Forgetting to use scratch paper

Just because the test is on a computer doesn't mean all thinking should happen on screen. Diagrams, outlines and calculations are faster and more reliable on paper.

Not reviewing typed writing

On paper, students naturally re-read as they write because their hand moves slowly. When typing, text appears quickly and students often don't re-read. Build the habit of a full re-read in the final 3–5 minutes of the Writing section.

Getting flustered by the interface

If something unexpected happens (a dropdown doesn't open, the screen scrolls unexpectedly), stay calm. It's just a computer. Click carefully, and if needed, raise your hand for the invigilator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my child use their own computer or laptop?

No. Department-provided computers are used at external test centres. Students cannot bring their own devices. The computers are set up specifically for the Janison test platform.

Is there spell check in the Writing section?

No. The Writing section uses a simple text editor without spell check, autocorrect or grammar checking. Students must rely on their own spelling and proofreading skills.

What if my child is a slow typist?

Start typing practice now. Even 10–15 minutes of daily practice on a free typing tutor (TypingClub, Typing.com) for 4–6 weeks can bring a slow typist up to a comfortable speed. The goal is 25–35 WPM — fast enough to write a full essay with time to plan and review.

Can my child practise on the Janison platform before the test?

Yes. The NSW Department of Education provides official online practice tests on the Janison platform. These are free and are the single most important preparation resource for the computer-based format. Search "selective high school placement test practice" on the NSW DoE website.

What happens if the computer crashes during the test?

Test centres have procedures for technical issues. Invigilators are trained to handle computer problems, and students are given additional time if technical issues cause a disruption. This is rare but students should know that help is available.

Does my child need to know how to use specific software?

No. The test platform is purpose-built and simple to use. If your child can use a web browser, click buttons and type, they have the basic skills needed. The main preparation is becoming comfortable with the specific features: question navigation, flagging, dropdown menus and the text editor for Writing.

Last Updated: March 2026

Related Guides:

• NSW Selective Test Format 2026 - Complete test structure and timing
• Master Your 30 Minutes - Writing timing strategy (now typed, not handwritten)
• Past Papers & Practice Tests - Practice materials including official online tests
• How to Prepare for the Selective School Test - Full preparation roadmap