Ace the Selective Test Mathematical Reasoning Section
2026 Official Format · Aligned with the official NSW Selective format
It is no longer just about knowing your times tables. The NSW Selective Test requires students to extract hidden equations from complex word problems under extreme time pressure. Build your child's confidence with our computer-based practice platform.
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It's Reasoning, Not Just Maths
Many students who excel at standard school maths struggle with the Selective High School Placement Test. Why? Because the exam is designed to test aptitude, not just memory.
In the Mathematical Reasoning section, students have exactly 40 minutes to complete around 35 questions. That leaves just over a minute per question. The exam will rarely ask a simple question like "What is 12 x 12?". Instead, the maths is hidden inside multi-step word problems, requiring students to interpret the story, choose the correct formula, and execute it flawlessly without a calculator.
The Complete NSW Maths Syllabus
Aligned with the official NSW Selective format
GoTestPrep's 80 full-length mock exams and 2,500+ questions are mapped directly to the 2026 official Janison computer-based format. Your child will practise and master:
Number and Algebra
Fractions, decimals, percentages, and complex ratio/proportion questions.
"Work Rate" and Inverse Proportion
Solving tricky "people and time" problems (e.g., If 4 gardeners take 3 hours to mow a lawn...).
Measurement and Geometry
Calculating area, perimeter, volume, and understanding spatial transformations and 2D/3D nets.
Statistics and Probability
Interpreting data from complex charts, Venn diagrams, and calculating averages and likelihoods.
Speed Maths Strategies
Learning estimation and the "Last Digit Trick" to eliminate wrong answers in seconds.
Practice in the Real Exam Environment
Handing your child a paper booklet does not prepare them for a digital exam.
Our platform replicates the exact interface they will use on exam day. They will learn how to use digital tools like the Flag Button to mark difficult questions for review, and the Strike-Through Tool to visually eliminate incorrect multiple-choice options.
Pinpoint Exactly Where They Lose Marks
Stop wondering why your child's score isn't improving. Our analytics dashboard breaks down their Mathematical Reasoning results by sub-topic. You will instantly see if they are dominating geometry but losing crucial marks on probability, allowing you to focus their study time where it matters most.
Learn From Every Mistake
We don't just provide an answer key; we teach the underlying logic. When your child gets a question wrong, they get a clear, step-by-step breakdown of how to solve it.
The Sample Question
A father is 4 times as old as his son. In 20 years, he will be twice as old. How old is the son now?
A) 8 B) 10 C) 12 D) 15
The GoTestPrep "Guess and Check" Solution
Instead of writing complex algebra, we teach students to back-solve using the options provided—a crucial time-saving strategy!
- Test B (10): If the son is 10, the dad is 40 (4 × 10).
- Add 20 years: The son becomes 30 (10 + 20). The dad becomes 60 (40 + 20).
- Check the rule: Is 60 twice as much as 30? Yes.
- Answer: B. (We also teach students why starting with the middle options, B or C, eliminates half the board instantly!)
"The detailed solutions helped him learn from every mistake. The practice sets are aligned with the actual test format. My child went from anxious to confident."
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