The Selective test has 4 components now. Writing is 25%. Is your child ready?
The 2026 Selective test is not the same test older siblings sat. New format, writing worth a full quarter of the score, and 155 minutes on screen. Most families are still preparing for the old test.
Students placed at James Ruse, North Sydney Boys/Girls, Sydney Boys/Girls, Baulkham Hills and more.
The test has changed. The competition hasn’t got easier.
The Selective test now has 4 equally weighted components including a 30-minute writing section typed on screen. Most families are underpreparing for at least one of them.
Writing is the hidden weak spot
Writing is 25% of the total score but gets less than 10% of most families’ preparation time. It has the widest score spread of any section. This is where the biggest gains are.
155 minutes on screen is brutal
Reading, answering, and typing a full essay on a computer for over 2.5 hours. Students who have only practised on paper lose marks to format unfamiliarity, not skill gaps.
Every child has a constraint. Most parents are guessing.
Reading, maths, thinking skills, or writing. One area is weaker. Without a proper diagnostic, parents spread effort evenly and the real bottleneck never gets fixed.
Your Selective School Toolkit
Four comprehensive guides covering the test format, common mistakes, school preferences, and the writing section. Free, no email required.
2026 Selective Test Guide
Full format breakdown, what has changed, score benchmarks, and where students lose marks.
Download PDF5 Selective Preparation Mistakes
The errors we see every year, why each costs marks, and the specific fix for each one.
Download PDFSchool Preference Strategy
How allocation works, 3 preference strategies, school profiles, and a printable decision worksheet.
Download PDFWriting Masterclass
Prompt types, essay structure, vocabulary techniques, common mistakes, and why writing is the biggest opportunity.
Download PDF
What these guides cover
Across all four guides, you will walk away understanding:
Discuss your child’s Selective options and build a personalised preparation roadmap
In a free 15-minute strategy call, one of our learning specialists will:
- Assess your child’s level across all 4 Selective test areas (including writing)
- Identify the single biggest constraint holding their score back
- Map out a targeted plan for your specific timeline (Year 5 or Year 6)
- Help you think through your school preference strategy
Limited spots each week. No obligation, no hard sell.