Thinking Skills Mock Test 14: 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

  • Detecting Reasoning Errors: Identifying flaws, assumptions, and gaps in arguments.
  • Relevant Selections: Choosing the option that best supports or completes an argument.
  • Identifying Similarity: Pattern and structure comparison across cases.
  • Syllogisms: Applying categorical logic and valid inference forms.
  • Logical Deduction: Drawing necessary conclusions from given rules and conditions.
  • Evaluating Hypotheses: Assessing whether evidence supports or undermines a hypothesis.

Sample Questions from Test 14

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

Thinking Skills

Owen, Paz and Quinn each have 22 beads. They take turns: even means give that many to each of the other two; …

Question 1 · Multiple choice

Question

Owen, Paz and Quinn each have 22 beads. They take turns: even means give that many to each of the other two; odd means receive that many from each. Owen spins 4. Paz spins 1. If they end with 15, 30 and 21, what did Quinn spin?

Options

  • A. 1
  • B. 2
  • C. 3
  • D. 4

Correct answer

B. 2

Explanation

Everyone starts with 22 beads. Owen spins 4. Since 4 is even, Owen gives 4 beads to Paz and 4 beads to Quinn. So Owen loses 8 altogether. New totals: Owen 14, Paz 26, Quinn 26 Paz spins 1. Since 1 is odd, Paz receives 1 bead from Owen and 1 from Quinn. So Paz gains 2 altogether. New totals: Owen 13, Paz 28, Quinn 25 Now test Quinn's possible spin. To finish on 15, 30 and 21, Quinn must lose 4 altogether, while Owen and Paz each gain 2. That happens when Quinn spins 2, because 2 is even and he gives 2 to each of the other two. Check: Owen 13 + 2 = 15 Paz 28 + 2 = 30 Quinn 25 - 4 = 21 So Quinn spun 2.

Thinking Skills

A councillor argued that planting trees on the street would reduce noise because they absorb sound. Which one…

Question 2 · Multiple choice

Question

A councillor argued that planting trees on the street would reduce noise because they absorb sound. Which one of these, if true, most strengthens the argument?

Options

  • A. Trees need maintenance.
  • B. Streets with tree planting elsewhere saw noise levels drop.
  • C. Some residents prefer open views.
  • D. Trees take time to grow.

Correct answer

B. Streets with tree planting elsewhere saw noise levels drop.

Explanation

The councillor's idea is that planting trees on the street will reduce noise because trees absorb sound. To strengthen this argument, we want evidence that tree planting has already reduced noise somewhere else. If streets with tree planting elsewhere saw noise levels drop, that strongly supports the claim. It shows that the same kind of change can really make streets quieter. The other options are weaker: trees needing maintenance does not support the argument, some residents preferring open views goes against it, and trees taking time to grow does not show whether the idea works. So the strongest answer is the evidence from streets where noise levels dropped after tree planting.

Core Competencies

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

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