Thinking Skills Mock Test 11: 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

  • Additional Evidence: Strengthening and weakening arguments with new information.
  • Matching Arguments: Recognising argument structures that are parallel or equivalent.
  • Identifying Similarity: Pattern and structure comparison across cases.
  • Syllogisms: Applying categorical logic and valid inference forms.
  • Evaluating Hypotheses: Assessing whether evidence supports or undermines a hypothesis.
  • Data Sufficiency: Deciding if given information is enough to answer the question.

Sample Questions from Test 11

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

Thinking Skills

Zara, Ben and Cleo each have 24 counters. They take turns: even means give that many to each of the other two…

Question 1 · Multiple choice

Question

Zara, Ben and Cleo each have 24 counters. They take turns: even means give that many to each of the other two; odd means receive that many from each. Zara spins 2. Ben spins 3. If they end with 21, 36 and 15, what did Cleo spin?

Options

  • A. 1
  • B. 2
  • C. 3
  • D. 4

Correct answer

D. 4

Explanation

Everyone starts with 24 counters. Zara spins 2. Since 2 is even, Zara gives 2 counters to Ben and 2 counters to Cleo. So Zara loses 4 altogether. New totals: Zara 20, Ben 26, Cleo 26 Ben spins 3. Since 3 is odd, Ben receives 3 counters from Zara and 3 from Cleo. So Ben gains 6 altogether. New totals: Zara 17, Ben 32, Cleo 23 Now test Cleo's possible spin. To finish on 21, 36 and 15, Cleo must lose 8 altogether, while Zara and Ben each gain 4. That happens when Cleo spins 4, because 4 is even and she gives 4 to each of the other two. Check: Zara 17 + 4 = 21 Ben 32 + 4 = 36 Cleo 23 - 8 = 15 So Cleo spun 4.

Thinking Skills

A councillor argued that free bike hire at the station would cut car use because more commuters would cycle t…

Question 2 · Multiple choice

Question

A councillor argued that free bike hire at the station would cut car use because more commuters would cycle the last mile. Which one of these, if true, most strengthens the argument?

Options

  • A. Stations that added bike hire saw car trips drop by 15%.
  • B. Some commuters already walk.
  • C. Bike hire costs money.
  • D. The station has a car park.

Correct answer

A. Stations that added bike hire saw car trips drop by 15%.

Explanation

The councillor's idea is that free bike hire at the station will reduce car use because commuters can cycle the last part of the journey instead of driving. To strengthen this argument, we want evidence that similar bike-hire schemes have already reduced car use somewhere else. If stations that added bike hire saw car trips drop by 15%, that strongly supports the claim. It shows that the same kind of change can really affect how people travel. The other options are weaker: some commuters already walking does not prove bike hire works, bike hire costing money does not strengthen the argument, and the station having a car park is not evidence about the effect of bike hire. So the strongest answer is the evidence from stations where car trips dropped after bike hire was introduced.

Core Competencies

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

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