Thinking Skills Mock Test 8: 2027 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

2027 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 8

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

Thinking Skills

A series of triangles are made by joining together smaller black and white triangles. Use the image to answer…

Question 1 · Multiple choice

Question

A series of triangles are made by joining together smaller black and white triangles. Use the image to answer this question.

How many black triangles would make up Triangle 8?

Growing triangle pattern made of smaller black and white triangles

Options

  • A.14
  • B.21
  • C.25
  • D.28

Correct answer

D.28

Explanation

Step 1 — Count the black triangles in each triangle from the image.

TriangleBlack (▲) triangles
Triangle 10
Triangle 21
Triangle 33
Triangle 46

Step 2 — Find how the sequence grows.

0 → 1 (add 1) 1 → 3 (add 2) 3 → 6 (add 3) …

Each step adds one more than the previous step. This is the same triangular number pattern.

Step 3 — Continue to Triangle 8.

TriangleAddTotal black
5+410
6+515
7+621
8+728

Answer: Triangle 8 has 28 black triangles

Thinking Skills

A net of a cube is shown below.

Question 2 · Multiple choice

Question

A net of a cube is shown below.

Which of the following could be a possible view of the cube?

A cross-shaped cube net with alternating shaded and white vertical stripes along the middle row; four labelled 3D cube views (options A–D)

Options

  • A.A
  • B.B
  • C.C
  • D.D

Correct answer

C.C

Explanation

Step 1 — How do the shaded faces fold?

The three shaded faces sit in a row along the middle strip of the net. When this strip folds up, two of those three shaded faces end up opposite each other on the cube.

Folding the middle strip shows two shaded faces become opposite

Because two shaded faces are opposite, you can never see all three shaded faces in one view. This rules out Option D immediately. ✗

Step 2 — Are the shaded stripes parallel?

Looking at the net, the shaded parts run parallel to each other like vertical stripes:

The shaded stripes in the net run parallel

Any correct 3D view must also show the shading running parallel. Option A shows the shaded faces at an angle rather than parallel stripes, so Option A is eliminated. ✗

Option A shows non-parallel shading on the cube

Step 3 — Check Option B

Option B shows two white halves of shaded faces touching each other:

Option B has white half touching white half along an edge

But in the net, looking at where the shaded faces meet their neighbours, they either touch white-to-grey or grey-to-grey — never white-to-white:

Net shows the touching edges are white-to-grey or grey-to-grey

So Option B is eliminated. ✗

Step 4 — Only Option C remains

Option C shows vertical parallel stripes with the correct grey–white–grey pattern. It is the only view consistent with the net. ✓

Core Competencies

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

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