Thinking Skills Mock Test 1: 2026 NSW Selective Format

Master the new Janison-style Thinking Skills exam with our comprehensive 40-question mock test. Designed specifically for students targeting top-tier NSW Selective High Schools.

Duration

40 Minutes

Format

2026 NSW Format

Questions

40 multiple-choice

Level

Official Selective Test Level

Skills Covered in this Test

This mock test mirrors the official weightings of the NSW Department of Education exam.

The breakdown

  • Drawing a Conclusion: Logic-based deduction and inference from given premises.
  • Finding Procedures: Identifying the correct sequence or steps to reach an outcome.
  • Additional Evidence: Strengthening and weakening arguments with new information.
  • Truth/Liar Puzzles: Identifying truth-tellers and liars from statements and constraints.
  • Logical Deduction: Drawing necessary conclusions from given rules and conditions.
  • Evaluating Hypotheses: Assessing whether evidence supports or undermines a hypothesis.

Sample Questions from Test 1

The first two questions of this mock test (same order and wording as the timed exam).

Thinking Skills

Lina, Mo and Nina each have 24 tokens. They take turns spinning a wheel that shows 1, 2, 3 or 4. If the numbe…

Question 1 · Multiple choice

Question

Lina, Mo and Nina each have 24 tokens. They take turns spinning a wheel that shows 1, 2, 3 or 4. If the number is even, that player gives that many tokens to each of the other two. If the number is odd, that player receives that many tokens from each of the other two. Lina spins 3. Mo spins 4. If they end up with 31, 10 and 31 tokens respectively, what number did Nina spin?

Options

  • A. 1
  • B. 2
  • C. 3
  • D. 4

Correct answer

C. 3

Explanation

Method 1: Work through the spins one by one. Everyone starts with 24 tokens. Lina spins 3. Since 3 is odd, Lina receives 3 tokens from each of the other two. So Lina gains 6, and Mo and Nina each lose 3. New totals: Lina 30, Mo 21, Nina 21 Mo spins 4. Since 4 is even, Mo gives 4 tokens to each of the other two. So Mo loses 8, and Lina and Nina each gain 4. New totals: Lina 34, Mo 13, Nina 25 Now test Nina's possible spins. If Nina spins 1, she would receive 1 from each person, giving 33, 12, 27. If Nina spins 2, she would give 2 to each person, giving 36, 15, 21. If Nina spins 3, she would receive 3 from each person, giving 31, 10, 31. This matches the question exactly. So Nina spun 3.

Thinking Skills

When Zara said she was thinking of dropping piano to focus on becoming a doctor, Ben said: You don't have to …

Question 2 · Multiple choice

Question

When Zara said she was thinking of dropping piano to focus on becoming a doctor, Ben said: You don't have to give up piano just because you want to study medicine. Hobbies help you stay balanced and can make you more focused when you study. Which one of these statements, if true, most strengthens Ben's argument?

Options

  • A. Medical schools value applicants who show commitment to long-term activities outside study.
  • B. Zara's parents have said she should concentrate only on schoolwork.
  • C. Many doctors play musical instruments as a hobby.
  • D. Piano lessons are expensive and time-consuming.

Correct answer

A. Medical schools value applicants who show commitment to long-term activities outside study.

Explanation

Ben is saying that Zara does not need to give up piano just because she wants to study medicine. His idea is that hobbies can help with balance and focus, not just get in the way. We need the statement that makes that idea strongest. If medical schools value students who stay committed to activities outside schoolwork, then keeping up piano could actually help Zara rather than harm her. That fits Ben's point very well. The other options do not help as much: parents' opinions do not show Ben is right, other doctors playing instruments is interesting but weaker, and piano being expensive or time-consuming would actually weaken Ben's idea. So the best answer is the statement about medical schools valuing long-term activities outside study.

Core Competencies

Additional EvidenceData SufficiencyDetecting Reasoning ErrorsDrawing a ConclusionEvaluating HypothesesFinding ProceduresIdentifying SimilarityLogical DeductionMatching ArgumentsRelevant SelectionsSeating ArrangementsSpatial ReasoningSyllogismsTruth/Liar Puzzles

Prepare with Precision

  • Boost speed and accuracy in high-pressure tests.
  • Get comfortable with the Janison-style interface.
  • Identify your key areas for improvement.

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