For many students, the New South Wales (NSW) Selective Test is a crucial first step in their academic career. It calls for strategic planning in addition to intelligence because of its complex and varied content. We'll explore the essential strategies, paper formats, and last-minute advice that might help students succeed in this comprehensive guide.
There are main 4 sections of this exam:
- Reading
- Mathematical Reasoning
- Thinking Skills
- Writing
Marking Scheme:
| Section |
Timing |
Number of Questions |
Response Type |
| Reading |
40 mins |
30 |
Multiple choice |
| Mathematical Reasoning |
40 mins |
35 |
Multiple choice |
| Thinking Skills |
40 mins |
40 |
Multiple choice |
| Writing |
30 mins |
1 |
Open response |
Exam Paper Pattern:
Reading:
The Reading section assesses various reading skills through texts like fiction, factual content, poetry, and more. These texts are sourced from around the world, including Australia and its Aboriginal cultures.
Part 1: This part involves a comprehension task on a fictional piece or a comparison task between two themed texts. There are 8 multiple-choice questions for each task. Each has 4 options A-D.
Part 2: This part focuses on a short poem and requires an understanding of stylistic features like imagery and metaphor, implicit meanings, organization, structure, and the writer's purpose.
Part 3: In this part, you will encounter either a 'gap match' task or a 'summary phrases' task, both based on a single factual text.
Part 4: Consisting of four shorter extracts, this part includes thematically linked texts from various sources such as blogs, articles, and reports. It emphasizes diverse styles and purposes.
Mathematical Reasoning :
The Mathematical Reasoning section consists of 35 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 40 minutes. For each question, student must choose the best answer from 5 options (A-E).
The main focus of this component is the assessment of mathematical reasoning rather than an assessment of curriculum content.
Thinking Skill:
The Thinking Skills section has 40 multiple-choice questions. Student must choose the best answer from 4 options (A-D).
The types of questions in this section include:
- Identifying similarity: Student must recognize the logical relationships between different ways of presenting information and identify any similarity in the data they represent.
- Finding procedures: Student must find a procedure to answer a question using limited information. The procedure may involve multiple steps, and there can be more than one correct solution.
- Evaluating evidence: Student are presented with a simple argument and must determine which piece of additional evidence would strengthen or weaken the argument.
- Evaluating reasoning: Student are given factual information and two deductions made by named characters. They must determine which deduction is valid based on the information presented.
- Identifying mistakes: Student are presented with factual statements followed by a claim from a named character that includes an invalid deduction. They must choose the best illustration of why the speaker is wrong.
- Logical analysis: Student are presented with a logical challenge that requires reasoning about the truth values of simple statements or making deductions from the given information.
Writing Skill:
The Writing section tests various important writing skills. It consists of one task on a variety of topics, in different forms (such as email, report, story), and with different purposes and audiences.
The evaluation of students' answers is determined by two sets of criteria:
- Set A (15 marks): Evaluates the content, structure, organization, and style. It assesses the effectiveness of communication through:
- Choosing interesting and relevant content.
- Using appropriate form and organizing ideas coherently.
- Making deliberate choices in style, vocabulary, and formality.
- Set B (10 marks): Focuses on sentences, punctuation, and spelling. It assesses:
- Using different sentence lengths, types, and structures, as well as correct punctuation.
- Ensuring accurate spelling.
Key Techniques For Each Section :
Reading:
- Initial Reading: Begin by thoroughly reading the text to fully grasp the context. This establishes a solid foundation for providing accurate answers to questions.
- Strategic Annotation: Take notes and underline key points. Remember, it is the quality, not the quantity, of your annotations that matters.
- Time Management: Keep track of time, giving priority to sections that hold greater value, such as extract-based questions.
Mathematical Reasoning:
- Detailed Analysis: Carefully examine each question and accompanying diagrams.
- Methodical Documentation: Document your problem-solving steps, which will assist in error checking and comprehension.
- Composure Under Pressure: Remain calm and rely on your fundamental mathematical knowledge and skills.
Thinking Skills:
- Core Element Focus: Concentrate on the essential aspects of each question, disregarding irrelevant information.
- Answer Verification: Ensure that your answers align logically with the given questions.
- Efficient Execution: Work swiftly yet accurately, marking challenging questions for later review if time permits.
Writing:
- Organized Thought: Plan the structure of your writing to enhance clarity and coherence.
- Adaptive Style: Adjust your writing style to suit the required text type.
- Complete the Task: Always conclude your writing, ensuring that all necessary components are included.
