Selective Writing Past Papers & Practice Tests: Download Now

Why Past Papers Are Your #1 Study Tool

If you want to succeed in the NSW selective school entrance test, practicing with past papers is non-negotiable. Here's why:

They're Authentic

• Real test format, timing, and difficulty
• Exactly how the actual test will be structured
• No surprises on test day

They Build Test-Taking Stamina

• Practice sitting for 105 minutes of continuous testing
• Build speed and accuracy under pressure
• Identify which components drain your energy

They Reveal Your Weak Areas

• Practice different question types repeatedly
• Identify patterns in mistakes
• Target improvement efforts strategically

They Reduce Anxiety

• Familiarity with format = confidence
• Less stress about "what to expect"
• More mental energy for actual performance

Available Past Papers & Sample Tests

Official Released Sample Papers

The NSW Department of Education has released sample papers to help students prepare:

2023 Sample Test (Most Recent Official)

Contents:

• Writing component (30 min)
• Reading component (45 min)
• Numeracy component (30 min)
• Answer key and marking guide

How to use it:

• Take the full test under timed conditions (105 minutes)
• Mark using the provided key
• Review errors and weak areas
• Repeat the test after 2-3 weeks of preparation

Availability:

• Official NSW Education Department website
• Your school may provide printed copies
• Your tutoring center likely has copies

2022 Sample Test (Extended Practice)

Contents:

• Full test with all three components
• Detailed solutions and explanations
• Marking rubric for writing component

Key difference from 2023:

• Different topic/stimulus
• Slightly different difficulty (slightly harder reading component)
• Good for identifying if you're topic-dependent or strength is consistent

Historical Papers (2015-2021)

Older past papers are valuable for:

• Extended practice with different topics
• Understanding how topics have evolved
• Building a larger question bank

Available from:

• School libraries
• Online tutoring platforms (Tuition Centre, Accelerate Education)
• NSW Education Department archives
• Your selective test prep provider

Note: Earlier papers (2015-2017) had slightly different formats. Use 2020+ papers as your primary practice source.

Practice Paper Progression: A Strategic Approach

Month 1-2: Diagnostic & Learning Phase

Week 1-2:

1. Take ONE complete 2023 sample paper under timed conditions
2. Mark thoroughly and review errors
3. Don't aim for perfection—aim to understand gaps

Week 3-4:

• Complete one component at a time (e.g., just writing, then just reading, then just numeracy)
• Focus on understanding concepts and question types
• Take your time; timing is secondary

Week 5-8:

• Take another complete practice paper (use 2022 sample)
• Begin light timing (don't stress if you go over)
• Identify which component needs most work

Month 3: Building Consistency

Week 9-12:

• Complete practice papers weekly
• Use older papers (2020, 2019, etc.)
• Gradually tighten timing on your weakest component
• Aim for improvement in accuracy, not just speed

Month 4: Final Preparation

Week 13-16:

• Full timed practice papers every 3-4 days
• Alternate between different papers to avoid memorization
• Review errors immediately while they're fresh
• Practice explaining your reasoning on wrong answers

How to Use Past Papers Effectively

The Right Way (That Actually Improves Performance)

Step 1: Take the test (105 minutes, all sections)

• No breaks between sections (except as test provides)
• Use pencil only
• Simulate real test conditions as much as possible
• Time yourself strictly

Step 2: Mark immediately (20-30 minutes)

• Use provided answer key
• Count total marks
• Don't analyze yet

Step 3: Deep review (30-45 minutes per section)

For Writing:

• Compare your response to model answers
• Identify what made model answers better
• Note your spelling/grammar errors
• Look for vocabulary or structure improvements

For Reading:

• Go through every incorrect answer
• Understand why it was wrong
• Find the correct answer in the text
• Learn why the right answer is correct

For Numeracy:

• Check every wrong answer for calculation errors
• Verify your methodology was correct
• Note if you were too slow (timing issue) or confused (understanding issue)

Step 4: Plan improvement (10-15 minutes)

• List specific improvements for next practice session
• Target the area that lost you the most marks
• Set a goal (e.g., "Lose no marks to spelling errors on next test")

Step 5: Wait 2-3 weeks

• Then retake the same paper
• Compare your score improvement
• This builds consistency and confidence

The Wrong Way (That Wastes Time)

❌ Taking a practice paper without timing it

❌ Marking but not analyzing errors

❌ Moving on to the next paper without reviewing

❌ Only doing the writing component repeatedly

❌ Doing practice papers back-to-back without reflection

Component-Specific Practice from Past Papers

Writing Component Strategy

For each writing task in past papers:

1. Identify the stimulus type:

- Image-based (visual)

- Quote-based (word/phrase)

- Scenario-based (situation)

1. Analyze the model response:

- How quickly does it hook you?

- What details are included?

- How does emotion come through?

- Where are the transitions?

1. Practice planning without writing:

- Read the stimulus

- Spend 5 minutes planning your response

- Don't write; just develop your outline

- Do this 3-4 times with different papers

- Then start writing full responses

1. Handwriting & presentation:

- Writing by hand is essential to practice

- Typed practice doesn't replicate the physical demands

- Practice maintaining neat handwriting for 30 minutes straight

Reading Component Strategy

Skill progression from past papers:

Phase 1: Accuracy (Speed = Secondary)

• Take reading section without timing
• Answer every question
• Build 90%+ accuracy rate

Phase 2: Speed & Accuracy

• Add timing (45 minutes)
• Aim for 85-90% accuracy while meeting time limit
• This is hardest phase

Phase 3: Confidence

• Maintain 85%+ accuracy within 45 min
• Develop rhythm and confidence
• Ability to identify question patterns quickly

Question type practice from past papers:

• Inference questions (What does the author imply?)
• Detail questions (What does the text state?)
• Vocabulary questions (What does this word mean in context?)
• Structure questions (Why did the author organize it this way?)
• Purpose questions (Why did the author include this?)

Numeracy Component Strategy

Build competency through past papers:

Phase 1: Identify weak math areas

• Look at past paper errors
• Categorize by topic (fractions, percentages, algebra, etc.)
• Do targeted practice on weak areas
• Return to past papers

Phase 2: Timing practice

• Complete numeracy section of past papers with timing
• Identify time-consuming questions
• Develop shortcuts for common problem types
• Practice mental math

Phase 3: Testing under conditions

• Full practice papers including numeracy
• Don't isolate numeracy anymore
• Build stamina for concentrating on math after writing

Free Online Past Paper Resources

Official Sources (Recommended)

• NSW Education Department: www.education.nsw.gov.au (search "selective schools")
• Sample papers: Usually 2023 and 2022 available for free
• Detail: Official marking guides and rubrics included

School-Provided Resources

• Ask your school's selective test coordinator
• Many schools provide free past papers to students
• Your teacher may have a collection of older papers

Tutoring Centers (Often Include Free Papers)

• Tuition Centre NSW
• Accelerate Education
• These often provide sample papers even without enrollment

Your Preparation Platform

• If you're using our practice platform, you'll have access to:

- Full timed practice tests

- Instant AI-powered feedback on writing

- Performance analytics across sections

- Hundreds of practice questions organized by type

Practice Paper Scoring Guide

Interpreting Your Scores

Component-Specific Targets

If test is out of 110 total (estimated):

Example: Score of 90 might be:

• Writing: 30 points (good)
• Reading: 35 points (very good)
• Numeracy: 25 points (needs improvement)

This helps identify which component to target.

Creating Your Own Practice Tests

DIY Test Assembly

Once you've exhausted official past papers, create your own:

1. Combine sections from different years:

- Writing from 2022 paper

- Reading from 2021 paper

- Numeracy from 2020 paper

1. Create mixed question sets:

- Compile all 'inference' questions across papers

- Compile all 'calculation' questions

- Practice mastery of question types

1. Difficulty progression:

- Easy: Mix of beginner questions

- Medium: Recent past papers

- Hard: Combine hardest questions from all sources

Common Past Paper Practice Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Mistake #1: Not reviewing thoroughly

• Taking practice tests but not analyzing errors
• Result: No improvement despite doing papers
• Fix: Spend 45 minutes reviewing for every 105 minutes of testing

❌ Mistake #2: Skipping the writing component

• Only practicing reading and numeracy
• Result: Unprepared for writing stimulus on test day
• Fix: Practice every writing paper; write out full responses

❌ Mistake #3: Overthinking timing

• Worrying about being slightly slow on one practice test
• Result: Unnecessary anxiety; missing learning opportunities
• Fix: Focus on accuracy first, speed second. Consistency comes naturally

❌ Mistake #4: Memorizing answers

• Taking the same paper multiple times immediately
• Result: False confidence; not testing real knowledge
• Fix: Wait 2-3 weeks minimum before retaking a paper

❌ Mistake #5: Not varying papers

• Using only 2023 paper repeatedly
• Result: Topic-dependent performance; fails with new topics
• Fix: Use 5-7 different past papers throughout preparation

Progress Tracking Template

Use this to monitor improvement across practice papers:

Paper: [2023 Sample]
Date: [Date taken]

Writing Score: ___ / 33 (Goal: 28+)
Reading Score: ___ / 38 (Goal: 32+)
Numeracy Score: ___ / 38 (Goal: 32+)
TOTAL: ___ / 110

Key Errors:
- Writing: ___
- Reading: ___
- Numeracy: ___

Improvement focus for next paper:
1. ___
2. ___
3. ___

Notes:
- What went well: ___
- What was challenging: ___

Getting Feedback on Your Writing

Self-Review Checklist

Use this after every writing practice:

• [ ] Does my opening hook the reader?
• [ ] Is my story specific and detailed?
• [ ] Does emotion come through events (not just telling)?
• [ ] Do I vary my sentence structure?
• [ ] Is my conclusion reflective (not rushed)?
• [ ] Are there any spelling errors?
• [ ] Is my grammar correct?
• [ ] Would a stranger understand my story without explanation?

Getting Expert Feedback

Consider:

• Your teacher: Ask for feedback on practice writing
• Tutoring platform: AI feedback on writing submissions
• Writing mentors: Selective test prep specialists
• Peer review: Exchange practice papers with classmates

Last Updated: November 2024

Your Next Step:

1. Get the 2023 sample paper
2. Take it today under timed conditions
3. Review thoroughly
4. Plan your improvement targets
5. Start your practice paper progression

Related Guides:

• Master Your 30 Minutes - Perfect your timing strategy for writing
• Selective Writing Test Topics 2024 - Understand topic patterns
• Inside the Marker's Mind - Know exactly what markers are assessing