Free Weekly NSW Selective

Free Weekly Mock Test Bundle for NSW Selective Exam 2025

HAST Exam Format

Jun 3, 2024

4 min read

Gain a detailed picture of your high-performing students with finely differentiated results to assist in the sorting of candidates for selective entry classes, accelerated learning and gifted & talented programs.

Primary Level

ACER Scholarship Tests – Primary This information is relevant only to students currently in years 3, 4 or 5

Topic	Questions & Time	Details
Reading Comprehension	Format: Multiple choice Test length: 30-40 minutes / 25-30 questions	This test measures how well students can understand and interpret ideas in language. The test asks students to look at written and visual material which may include fiction, poetry or non-fiction prose, and diagrams, tables, charts or maps.
Mathematical Reasoning	Format: Multiple choice Test length: 30-40 minutes / 25-30 questions	This test measures mathematical ability, in contrast to a test of school achievement in mathematics. Consequently, the material used for the questions in this test is selected from a wide variety of sources, and may differ from standard school-based curriculum materials. Students must apply logical and strategic thinking to work through the questions in the test. The tasks are presented as numbers, text, diagrams, graphs and tables. Subject areas include number, measurement, space, time, logical relations and problem solving.
Written Expression	Format: Written task Test length: 30 minutes	This test assesses a student's ability to express thoughts and feelings in written English. Assessment is based on quality of thought and quality of language. The test provides a measure of generative and creative thinking in addition to language competency. Schools are given the choice between two types of writing tasks that provide an opportunity to write for different purposes and audiences. Written Expression 1 is a discursive task that presents candidates with an issue or topic and prompts discussion of the ideas. The stimulus is usually verbal. Written Expression 2 is a creative task and prompts narrative or personal/narrative writing. The stimulus is usually visual.
Abstract Reasoning	Format: Multiple choice Test length: 30 minutes / 30 questions	This test assesses students’ ability to recognise relationships and perceive ideas at an abstract level using pattern recognition, hypothesising and evaluation of evidence. These types of skills are widely applicable across the curriculum and are related to successful academic outcomes. Students are required to identify a pattern shown in a sequence of diagrams. The pattern may need to be continued or completed. The diagrams comprising the pattern may have a number of elements (size, shape, shading, orientation) that need to be considered when deciphering the pattern. Containing no language content, it is particularly useful for EAL students.

Secondary tests

Designed for entry into years 7 to 11

Topic	Questions & Time	Details
Reading Comprehension	Format: Multiple choice Test length: 45 minutes / 35-40 questions	This test assesses a student’s ability to understand and interpret a range of texts which may include fiction, poetry, drama and non-fiction prose, together with diagrams, tables, charts or maps. The test draws on general abilities and the kinds of thinking typically used in the humanities and social sciences areas, rather than any specific content knowledge. Students are typically required to: negotiate texts containing complex sentences; identify and relate main ideas, themes or issues; identify key logical relations; discriminate between competing interpretations of texts; draw subtle and complex inferences; and evaluate assertions about events or characters based on a global reading of the text or by focusing on key particulars.
Mathematical Reasoning	Format: Multiple choice Test length: 40 minutes / 28-35 questions	This test assesses a student’s ability to comprehend, interpret and analyse mathematical information (at the junior secondary level), and mathematics and science at the middle and senior secondary levels. The skills assessed include comprehending and interpreting data; inferring, predicting and drawing conclusions; and reasoning and problem-solving. The tasks are presented as numbers, text, diagrams, graphs and tables. Subject areas include number, measurement, space, time, logical relations and problem-solving for the mathematics component of the test, while science areas may include astronomy, geology, geography, chemistry, physics and biology. Students must apply logical and strategic thinking to work through each question in the test to arrive at the correct answer. *Middle and Senior Secondary tests include mathematics & science.
Written Expression	Format: Written task Test length: 25 minutes	This test assesses a student’s ability to express thoughts and feelings in written English. Assessment is based on thought and content, structure and organisation, expression, style and the mechanics of the candidate’s response. The test provides a measure of generative and creative thinking in addition to language competency. Schools choose one of two types of writing tasks that provide an opportunity to write for different purposes and audiences. Written Expression 1 is a discursive task that presents candidates with an issue or topic and prompts discussion of the ideas. The stimulus is usually verbal. Written Expression 2 is a creative task and prompts narrative or personal/narrative writing. The stimulus is usually visual.
Abstract Reasoning	Format: Multiple choice Test length: 30 minutes / 30 questions	This test assesses students’ ability to recognise relationships and perceive ideas at an abstract level using pattern recognition, hypothesising and evaluation of evidence. These types of skills are widely applicable across the curriculum and are related to successful academic outcomes. Students are required to identify a pattern shown in a sequence of diagrams. The pattern may need to be continued or completed. The diagrams comprising the pattern may have a number of elements (size, shape, shading, orientation) that need to be considered when deciphering the pattern. Containing no language content, it is particularly useful for EAL students.