Practice Like a Pro: Your Complete Home Preparation Strategy

A Parent's Step-By-Step Guide to Preparing Your Child for the Selective Writing Test

You Don't Need to Be a Writing Expert

Before we start, remember this: You don't need to be a great writer yourself to help your child prepare.

You just need:

• A timer ⏱
• Access to practice prompts
• A checklist (we'll give you one)
• Encouragement 🎯

That's it. You've got this.

The Big Picture: 3-Month Prep Timeline

If you have 3 months before the test, here's your roadmap:

Don't have 3 months? Use this timeline anyway. Just increase frequency.

Phase 1: Foundations (Weeks 1-4)

Goal

Your child understands the techniques and has done a few relaxed writing exercises.

What to Do

Week 1: Learn the Techniques

• Read the Inside the Marker's Mind guide together
• Discuss: "What do markers really look for?"
• Watch one official NSW resources video if available
• No writing yet. Just understanding.

Week 2-3: Untimed Writing Practice

• Your child does 1-2 writing exercises without a timer
• Use practice prompts from:

- Official NSW Department practice papers

- SelectiveWritingTest.com.au (if available)

- Simple prompts you create

• Focus: Understanding the format, not speed
• After each write, give feedback using the Parent Feedback Checklist (below)

Week 4: Introduce the Strategy

• Teach the 30-minute time breakdown
• Explain the brainstorming technique
• Do one "slow-motion" timed practice (give them 40 minutes so they can see the process)
• Celebrate: "You know how to plan and write now!"

What You Provide

• Quiet writing space
• Feedback (be encouraging!)
• Practice prompts

Phase 2: Timed Practice (Weeks 5-8)

Goal

Your child is comfortable with 30-minute timed writes and getting faster.

What to Do

Each Week

• 2-3 timed 30-minute practices
• Rotate prompt types (narrative, email, report, etc.)
• Use the 30-Minute Timing Checklist during each practice

After Each Practice

1. Let them rest (10-15 minutes, don't review immediately)
2. Have them self-assess using the Self-Review Checklist
3. You give feedback using the Parent Feedback Checklist
4. Identify one thing to improve next time
5. Celebrate what they did well

Specific Focus Areas (Rotate Weekly)

• Week 5: Timed practice + focus on time management
• Week 6: Timed practice + focus on covering all requirements
• Week 7: Timed practice + focus on organization
• Week 8: Timed practice + general skills

Phase 3: Intensive Practice (Weeks 9-12)

Goal

Your child is confident, fast, and consistent. Multiple timed practices per week.

What to Do

Each Week

• 3-4 timed 30-minute practices
• Mix easy and challenging prompts
• Start introducing "unusual" prompts they might not have practiced

Track Progress

Keep a simple log:

PRACTICE LOG

Practice #1 (Date: ____)
- Prompt: _______________
- Time to plan: 2 min
- Finished on time: YES / NO
- Self-score (1-10): 7
- Thing to improve: Fewer run-on sentences

Practice #2 (Date: ____)
- Prompt: _______________
- Time to plan: 2.5 min
- Finished on time: YES / NO
- Self-score (1-10): 8
- Thing to improve: Add more interesting details

Why track? It shows progress! "Look, your scores went from 6 to 8!"

Last 2 Weeks

• Continue timed practices
• Less feedback, more confidence-building
• Practice relaxation techniques (deep breathing, positive self-talk)
• Review the guides together (quick refresher)

Your Parent Toolkit

Tool 1: Parent Feedback Checklist

After your child completes a practice write, ask yourself:

PARENT FEEDBACK CHECKLIST

CONTENT & STRUCTURE
□ Does it answer the question correctly?
□ Does it have a clear beginning, middle, end?
□ Are ideas organized logically?
□ Does it feel complete (has an ending)?

ENGAGEMENT & VOCABULARY
□ Are the ideas interesting or creative?
□ Is vocabulary varied (not repetitive)?
□ Does the tone match the text type?
□ Would I enjoy reading this?

TECHNICAL SKILLS
□ Spelling mistakes (count them)?
□ Grammar issues (run-ons, tense shifts)?
□ Punctuation problems?
□ Do I understand everything they wrote?

OVERALL
□ This is better than their last one?
□ What's one thing to celebrate?
□ What's one thing to focus on next?

How to give feedback:

1. Say something specific you liked
2. Ask: "What was tricky about this prompt?"
3. Point out one area to improve next time
4. End on encouragement

Example:

"I loved how you described the character—I could really picture them! I noticed you have a few run-on sentences; let's look at those together. Next time, try breaking those up. You're definitely improving!"

Tool 2: Self-Review Checklist

Teach your child to review their own work:

MY WRITING REVIEW CHECKLIST

BEFORE I SUBMIT, DID I...

□ Answer the question correctly?
□ Include everything the prompt asked for?
□ Write an introduction and conclusion?
□ Use paragraphs (new ideas = new paragraphs)?
□ Vary my vocabulary (not repeating the same words)?
□ Check for obvious spelling mistakes?
□ Make sure every sentence makes sense?
□ Read it aloud and it sounds okay?

If I checked YES to 7-8, I'm ready to submit!

Tool 3: Prompt Bank (Where to Find Them)

Official Resources (FREE):

• NSW Department of Education practice papers
• SelectiveWritingTest.com.au practice tests
• NAPLAN writing sample tasks

Free Online Resources:

• Alpha One Coaching blog (writing tips + sample prompts)
• Scholarly Training website (free blog posts)
• ExamSuccess online repository

Create Your Own:

Mix of topics:

• Stories/narratives
• Emails/persuasive
• Reports/informative
• Advice sheets
• Speeches

Variety matters. Don't just do stories!

Common Parent Questions Answered

"How often should they practice?"

• Weeks 1-4: 1-2 per week
• Weeks 5-8: 2-3 per week
• Weeks 9-12: 3-4 per week
• Total: About 30-40 practices before test day

This is enough to build confidence without overwhelming.

"Should I correct every mistake?"

No. That's too much. Instead:

• Pick 1-2 areas to focus on
• "Next time, let's work on varying your sentence starters"
• Let them improve gradually, not perfectly

"What if they get frustrated?"

This is normal. Here's what to do:

1. Take a break
2. Remind them: "This is practice. It's okay to mess up now."
3. Show progress: "Look at your first practice vs. now—you've improved!"
4. Make it fun: "Let's try a ridiculous prompt and just have fun writing"

"Should they use SelectiveWritingTest tools?"

Yes! If available:

• Vocabulary Trainer = great for learning new words
• Idea Generator = helps brainstorming
• Sentence Improver = teaches writing skill
• Timed practice = simulates exam

These are tailored to the test, so they're extra valuable.

"What about typing speed?"

If your child is slow:

• Practice typing (keybr.com is fun and free)
• 10-15 minutes, 3-4 times per week
• Typing speed usually improves quickly
• Typing accuracy matters more than speed

"Can I help them with ideas?"

Absolutely! You can:

• Ask brainstorming questions
• Help them think through prompts
• BUT: Don't write for them
• Let them do the actual writing

"Is one month of practice enough?"

Better than nothing, but 3 months is ideal. If you only have 1 month:

• Do 3-4 practices per week
• Focus on the most important skills (finishing, covering requirements, proofreading)
• You'll still see improvement

Weekly Practice Routine (Template)

Example Week (Weeks 5-8)

Monday Evening (20 minutes)

• Choose a prompt together
• Discuss what it's asking
• Your child brainstorms (you listen, don't help yet)
• Your child outlines

Tuesday Evening (35 minutes)

• Your child does a full timed 30-minute practice
• You observe (or work quietly nearby, don't interrupt)
• Use a timer and give time updates ("10 minutes left," etc.)

Wednesday (15 minutes)

• Your child self-reviews using their checklist
• You discuss: "What went well? What was tricky?"

Thursday Evening (20 minutes)

• You give feedback using the Parent Feedback Checklist
• Celebrate one thing they did well
• Identify one thing to improve

Friday-Sunday

• Light: Optional reading, vocabulary practice
• NO writing (they need rest)
• Keep it pressure-free

Make It Fun (It Doesn't Have to Be Serious)

Writing practice doesn't have to feel like homework. Try:

Fun Prompt Ideas

• "Write a story from a pet's perspective"
• "Write a funny advice sheet for aliens visiting Earth"
• "Write about the weirdest day ever"
• "Write a news report about something silly happening"
• "Write a character description of you as a superhero"

Games

• Story Dice: Roll dice with pictures, write a story
• Random Word Generator: Generate 3 random words, include all of them in a story
• Dinner Table Storytelling: Each person adds a sentence
• 3-Minute Challenges: Set a timer, write as much as you can on a random topic
• Word of the Week: Pick a cool word, use it in writing

Rewards

• NOT money (writing isn't a chore)
• BUT: "Let's go for ice cream after your practice" or "After practice, you choose the movie"

The goal: Writing feels natural and achievable, not scary.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

❌ "Practicing Only Narratives"

Your child needs variety. Rotate:

• Stories (narratives)
• Emails/persuasive writing
• Reports (informative)
• Other forms (speeches, advice sheets)

❌ "Drilling Grammar Rules"

Boring and ineffective. Instead:

• They learn through writing
• You correct in context
• They see improvement in their own work

❌ "Pushing Too Hard"

More practice ≠ better results. Quality over quantity.

• 3-4 quality practices beats 7 rushed ones
• Rest is part of preparation

❌ "Comparing to Other Kids"

Each child improves at their own pace.

• Focus on their progress
• "You improved from a 6 to an 8!"

❌ "Writing for Them"

Don't. Even if you could write it better:

• They need to build their own skills
• They need to feel proud of their own writing
• They need confidence on test day

The Last Week: Taper, Don't Panic

Week 12 (Final Week Before Test)

Monday-Wednesday: Light practice

• 1 timed practice mid-week
• Focus on feeling confident, not learning new things
• Review the guides (quick refresher)

Thursday-Friday: Rest

• No practice
• Light reading for pleasure
• Relaxation techniques
• Build confidence ("You've done this 30+ times!")

Saturday (Test Day):

• Normal breakfast
• Positive self-talk: "I've practiced. I've got this."
• Use the techniques you learned
• Trust the process

You've Done Your Job Well If...

✅ Your child can brainstorm in 2-3 minutes

✅ They finish within 30 minutes consistently

✅ They self-identify and fix common errors

✅ They know what the prompt is asking

✅ They write in the right format without you reminding them

✅ They're less anxious about writing

✅ They believe they can handle whatever prompt appears

✅ They've practiced 30+ times

That's success. Markers will see it.

Parent Self-Care

Supporting a child's test prep is stressful. Remember:

• You're not the expert. You're the supporter. Big difference.
• You don't need to teach grammar. You just need to give feedback.
• It's okay if they don't get Band 6. Improvement is progress.
• Your encouragement matters more than your correction. Make sure they feel supported.
• This too shall pass. In a few months, test day will be behind you!

Final Parent Checklist

Before test day, make sure:

PARENT PREP CHECKLIST

□ Child has done 25-40 timed practices
□ They know the time breakdown (2-4 min plan, 22-24 min write, 2-3 min review)
□ They have a brainstorming technique they like
□ They've practiced different prompt types
□ They understand the marking criteria
□ They have their personal error checklist
□ They've seen sample Band 6 responses
□ You've celebrated their progress
□ They feel confident (or at least less panicked!)
□ You've reminded them test day that they've got this

If you've checked 8+ of these, you're ready!

You've Got This! 🎉

Preparation isn't complicated. It's:

1. Consistent practice
2. Honest feedback
3. Gradual improvement
4. Lots of encouragement

Your child doesn't need to be a natural writer. They need to practice, learn from feedback, and trust the process.

That's exactly what you're helping them do.

By test day, they'll walk in knowing:

• How to plan quickly
• How to write under pressure
• How to catch their own errors
• What markers are looking for
• That they've done this 30+ times already

That's the opposite of panic. That's confidence.

You're doing great. Keep going! 💪

Resources Summary

Free Official Resources:

• NSW Department of Education practice tests
• SelectiveWritingTest.com.au

Helpful Websites:

• Scholarly Training (free blog)
• Alpha One Coaching (free resources)
• ExamSuccess (practice prompts)

Tools & Games:

• keybr.com (typing practice)
• Vocabulary.com (word learning)
• Story Dice or similar games

This Guide Series:

• Inside the Marker's Mind
• Master Your 30 Minutes
• Beat Writer's Block
• Sophisticated Writing for Your Age
• Avoid These Common Mistakes

Questions? You're Not Alone

If you're worried about something specific, check the other guides in this series. We've covered:

• What markers really look for
• Time management
• Idea generation
• Vocabulary
• Common mistakes

Everything your child needs to succeed is in these guides.

Good luck! You've got this! 🌟

Related Guides:

• Selective Writing Past Papers & Practice Tests - Access real test samples
• NSW Selective Writing Test Format 2024 - Understand test components
• Master Your 30 Minutes - Perfect your timing strategy
• Selective Writing Test Topics 2024 - Practice with current year topics
• Hardest Selective Schools to Get Into Australia - Choose target schools