Which test does your child need?
Help your child walk into test day ready, not anxious. Step-by-step explanations on every question and criterion-by-criterion writing feedback. Trusted by 3,000+ NSW families.
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Three test pathways. Pick the one your child is sitting and go deep — or scroll on for what every bundle includes.
Built for the May 2027 Selective sitting. 4 sections: Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, Thinking Skills, Writing. Criterion-by-criterion writing feedback.
Built for the May 2027 OC sitting. 3 sections: Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, Thinking Skills. WritingHub bonus for Selective head-start.
Online NAPLAN practice tests for Year 3 and Year 5 students. All 4 domains: Reading, Numeracy, Language Conventions, and Writing — with criterion-by-criterion writing feedback.
Not sure which to choose? Try 3 free tests — no credit card required.
Start Free TrialThese run across Selective, OC, and NAPLAN. The deep pages have full per-test pricing.
Refreshed every Monday. Adapts to your child's recent attempts, areas for improvement, and how close test day is.
A short, plain-English narrative each Monday on what improved and what to focus on.
Every score positions your child against thousands of NSW peers preparing for the same test.
Every question explained. Students learn the method, not just the answer.
Ask questions, get answers from the Test Academy team and other students.
Every question, explanation, and rubric comes from the team that runs our Parramatta classrooms.
Year level determines which tests are coming up. Most students sit more than one.
Four connected tools your child uses across the year. Each one feeds the next — foundation, mastery, simulation, expression.
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A friendly AI coach that chats one-to-one, explains the method step by step, and sets adaptive practice across Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, Thinking Skills, Vocabulary and Writing — plus quick Mental Maths drills. Build the floor.
Master every question type that appears in the test — inference, lateral reasoning, geometric reasoning, and the rest. Adaptive difficulty targets weak skills first.
Highly realistic full mock tests, refreshed after the 2026 sittings. Same on-screen digital format as the real Selective/OC tests, plus the exact NAPLAN domain split. Build exam-day fitness with timed practice.
The ultimate writing improvement tool. Submit, get criterion-by-criterion feedback in minutes, and complete targeted writing exercises to improve.
3 minutes inside the platform — WritingHub feedback, LearningHub adaptive practice, and full mock tests.
Walkthrough coming soon
A 3-minute platform tour is in production. Start the free trial to see WritingHub feedback and LearningHub practice directly.
5.0 stars across Google. Pulled from real Test Academy families across Selective, OC, and NAPLAN.
"Wow! What an amazing college with incredibly patient and gifted instructors. Their entire approach is highly focused on selective school test readiness. We started with a full-day “real world” mock test, which gave us an excellent benchmark of where our son stood just one term before the actual selective test. We then enrolled him in their online course, which included weekly practice tests and detailed debrief sessions covering time management, test strategies, and identifying areas wher…"
"My two children explored Test Academy and Matrix Education for their selective and OC tests in 2026. Our recommendation goes to Test Academy due to their computer-based, instant assessment. My children have really benefited from seeing the percentile and different graphs to understand their comparative progress visually. Their online writing modules show where the mistake is, help to improve vocabulary, and provide the best sample answer. Along with that, their ability to teach complex topics i…"
"Excellent platform, interface and questions for selective prep. Solutions are simple and easy to understand in steps. Great for building confidence in children, my child’s confidence has improved. I really liked the feedback provided and model writing provided for writing. Thanks Arya for your kindness and generosity.. I wish the whole team all the best!"
The Selective High School Placement Test is designed for high-achieving Year 6 students aiming to secure a place in selective high schools. The test assesses students in reading, mathematics, thinking skills, and writing, providing opportunities for academically gifted students to excel in a challenging environment.
Preparation for the Selective Test involves a balance of structured study, practice tests, and time management. Using online platforms like testacademy.com.au can help simulate the actual test environment, provide detailed feedback, and identify areas for improvement. Focus on building strong reading comprehension, problem-solving skills, and test-taking strategies to maximise your child’s performance.
Entry into selective schools depends on a combination of the weighted test percentile and school-specific cut-offs, which vary each year. Typically, weighted percentiles above 95 are considered competitive for top selective schools like James Ruse Agricultural High School, Baulkham Hills High School, Sydney Boys High School, and a few others. A weighted percentile above 76 generally grants entry into a selective school. Understanding your child’s ranking and percentile in practice tests can help gauge their potential score. Use our weighted percentile calculator to see exactly which schools you can get into with different test section percentiles.
Your school performance is no longer considered. The Selective Test is scored solely based on your performance in the tests, which is then weighted by test section and converted to a percentile ranking you against every other student.
Yes. The Test Academy team is always hard at work to ensure that our students practice the most realistic, up-to-date format possible. We have already updated our tests to include the new Reading question type ("inline-cloze") announced by the NSW DoE in late 2025.
Ranking is critical in determining placement. Students are ranked based on their Overall Placement Score and then offered positions according to their preferences for selective schools. Higher-ranked students are more likely to receive an offer from their first preference, making it essential to accurately list school preferences based on realistic scores.
Selective High Schools are for academically gifted students in Years 7-12, while Opportunity Classes (OC) cater to high-achieving students in Years 5 and 6.
Recent updates to the Selective Test include a greater focus on thinking skills, which assess logical reasoning, problem-solving, and critical thinking. This section aims to identify students with strong analytical abilities rather than relying solely on rote memorisation. Further, the Selective Test and OC Test are computer-based as of 2025. The exams are available to be taken over a 2-3 day window. Staying updated with NSW Department of Education announcements is vital to understanding any new changes.
The success rate varies each year depending on the number of applicants and the available spots. On average, around 15,000 students apply for approximately 4,000 spots in selective schools. Roughly 1500 spots are available for the top Selective High Schools. This high level of competition highlights the importance of thorough preparation and understanding the selection process.
If a student doesn’t receive an offer or if parents believe there were exceptional circumstances affecting their performance, they can submit an appeal. The appeals process requires evidence, such as medical certificates or documentation of unforeseen disruptions. Appeals should be lodged promptly, and it’s important to maintain realistic expectations during this process.
The Opportunity Class (OC) Placement Test is designed for high-achieving Year 4 students seeking placement in specialised classes for Years 5 and 6. These classes provide an enriched curriculum that challenges students academically, making them suitable for children with a passion for learning and advanced academic abilities. It is also an excellent stepping stone to entering a Selective High School.
Preparation for the OC Test should include regular practice of sample questions, time management skills, and familiarisation with the test format. Using online practice platforms like testacademy.com.au helps simulate real test conditions, providing targeted feedback on areas needing improvement. A consistent study routine focusing on critical thinking and advanced reading comprehension is beneficial.
Entry into an opportunity class depends on a combination of the weighted test percentile and school-specific cut-offs, which vary each year. Typically, weighted percentiles above 93 are considered competitive for top primary schools like Matthew Pearce Public School, Epping West Public School, Beecroft Public School, and a few others. Use our weighted percentile calculator to see exactly which schools you can get into with different test section percentiles.
There are around 2000 places available in OC classes across New South Wales each year, with over 13000 applicants. This makes the process highly competitive. Ensuring that your child has a strong academic foundation is key to increasing their chances of success.
It’s common for children to feel anxious before the OC Test. To alleviate stress, create a balanced study routine that includes breaks, physical activity, and relaxation time. Encouragement and reassurance from parents play a crucial role in building your child's confidence. Using practice tests that mimic the actual exam can also help reduce anxiety by familiarising your child with the test format.
Test Academy is built in Parramatta and used by NSW families online. Since 2021, every question, explanation, and rubric on this platform comes from the team that runs our Parramatta classrooms. Meet the team →
More: help centre · FlexiClass
Three NSW tests sit at the centre of academic admissions and assessment for primary-aged students: the Opportunity Class (OC) Test sat in Year 4, the Selective High School Placement Test sat in Year 6, and the national NAPLAN assessment sat in Years 3 and 5. Test Academy covers all three, with bundles split between Essential (6-month access) and Complete (12-month access plus WritingHub and LearningHub).
The NSW Selective High School Placement Test selects Year 6 students for entry into Year 7 at one of 51 selective and partially selective high schools. ~17,000 candidates sit each year for ~4,248 places. The test is delivered fully online with typed writing; each of the four sections (Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, Thinking Skills, Writing) carries 25% of the total mark. See full Selective guide →
The OC Test selects Year 4 students for placement in Opportunity Classes — academic streams in Years 5 and 6 at 88 OC primary schools. ~13,000–15,000 candidates sit each year for ~1,840 places. The test covers Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, and Thinking Skills (no writing section). Students often progress from OC to Selective; the Complete OC bundle includes WritingHub to start Selective writing prep early. See full OC guide →
NAPLAN is the national literacy and numeracy assessment, sat in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 — Test Academy supports Year 3 and Year 5. Four domains: Reading, Numeracy, Language Conventions, and Writing. The 2026 NAPLAN window ran 11–23 March 2026. NAPLAN is fully online (since 2022) for Years 5/7/9 writing; Year 3 writing is still paper-based. See full NAPLAN guide →
The same student may sit all three over their primary years: NAPLAN Y3 → OC (Y4) → NAPLAN Y5 → Selective (Y6). The skills overlap substantially — Reading comprehension, mathematical reasoning, and thinking skills carry across all three. Families who plan a multi-year preparation arc save effort by starting on the OC bank in Year 3 and continuing onto Selective in Year 5. Test Academy's bundles are independent purchases but the platform is shared.
Bruniges review aftermath. Following 2025 test-day disruptions, NSW DoE has tightened venue logistics: max 300 students per large venue / 180 per smaller venue, direct DoE oversight, multiple test versions. Applies to both Selective and OC.
Equity Placement Model. Up to 20% of Selective and OC places held for under-represented groups: 10% low socio-educational advantage, 5% Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander, plus rural/regional and disability allocations.
Gender equity from 2027 intake. Coeducational selective high schools and OC classes will offer equal numbers of girls' and boys' places.
Test Academy is based in Parramatta and used by NSW families across Sydney suburbs including Hurstville, Strathfield, Chatswood, Hornsby, Bankstown, Castle Hill, and Epping, as well as regional NSW. Local in-person preparation runs from the Parramatta campus; the online platform serves families anywhere in the state.
Test Academy is an educational platform for students in Years 1–7 preparing for NSW selective school entrance exams, Opportunity Class (OC) tests, and NAPLAN. We offer in-person and online tutoring, self-paced practice tests, and AI-powered study tools. What's available In-person and online tutoring — term-based classes available in-person at our Parramatta centre or fully online. FlexiClass — super-small group tutoring …
Read full article →Test Academy runs term-based classes for students in Years 3–9. Classes are available in person at several Sydney locations, and online. Locations Parramatta Baulkham Hills Penrith Bossley Park Mount Druitt Riverwood Online (via video conferencing) Term types Regular term — runs across a school term (weekly sessions, approximately 10 weeks) Holiday intensive — concentrated sessions during school holidays Workshop — …
Read full article →A test bundle gives you timed access to a library of online practice tests. Bundles are the main way to access self-paced exam preparation on the platform. Bundle types Selective bundles — practice tests for the NSW Selective High School Placement Test. Covers Reading, Mathematics, and Thinking Skills. Available as Standard and Premium tiers. OC bundles — practice tests for …
Read full article →All payments at Test Academy are processed through Stripe. We accept two payment methods. BECS Direct Debit BECS (Bulk Electronic Clearing System) is a bank-to-bank direct debit system used in Australia. To pay by BECS you'll need an Australian bank account (BSB and account number). No surcharge. You authorise a Direct Debit Request (DDR) during checkout. This mandate is stored …
Read full article →The Learning Hub is an adaptive practice environment at Dashboard → Practice. It generates AI-powered questions at your current skill level and automatically adjusts difficulty as you improve. Subject areas For Selective/OC preparation, four subjects are available: Thinking Skills Maths Reading Writing How to start practising Go to Practice in your dashboard. Select a subject tab. Choose a skill (e.g. …
Read full article →For more on how the platform works, see the Test Academy Help Centre.
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