Thinking Skills Mock Test 20: 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.
  • Detecting Reasoning Errors: Identifying flaws, assumptions, and gaps in arguments.
  • Matching Arguments: Recognising argument structures that are parallel or equivalent.
  • Relevant Selections: Choosing the option that best supports or completes an argument.
  • Identifying Similarity: Pattern and structure comparison across cases.

Sample Questions from Test 20

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

Thinking Skills

Gil, Hal and Ira each have 28 beads. They take turns: even means give that many to each of the other two; odd…

Question 1 · Multiple choice

Question

Gil, Hal and Ira each have 28 beads. They take turns: even means give that many to each of the other two; odd means receive that many from each. Gil spins 2. Hal spins 3. If they end with 23, 38 and 23, what did Ira spin?

Options

  • A. 1
  • B. 2
  • C. 3
  • D. 4

Correct answer

B. 2

Explanation

After Gil 2 (even, gives 2): Gil 24, Hal 30, Ira 30. After Hal 3 (odd, receives 3): Gil 21, Hal 36, Ira 27. We need (23, 38, 23). Ira must go from 27 to 23 (lose 4). Losing 4 means she gave 2 to each, so she spun a 2.

Thinking Skills

A councillor argued that adding a shelter would increase bus use because people would wait in comfort. Which …

Question 2 · Multiple choice

Question

A councillor argued that adding a shelter would increase bus use because people would wait in comfort. Which one of these, if true, most strengthens the argument?

Options

  • A. Shelters need upkeep.
  • B. Stops with shelters elsewhere saw bus use rise.
  • C. Some prefer to walk.
  • D. Shelters take space.

Correct answer

B. Stops with shelters elsewhere saw bus use rise.

Explanation

Evidence that the measure worked elsewhere strengthens the argument.

Core Competencies

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

Prepare with Precision

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