Selective PapersNSW

Guides · Selective Test

NSW selective past papers
Free PDFs & answers

Find the government sample papers below, with direct links to the questions, answer keys and explanations. No sign-up required.

NSW Department of Education

Official sample papers to download

These are the Department’s three numbered sample tests, from an older paper-based format. The current test is computer-based; the online options below help you get familiar with it.

Sample test 1

Sample test 2

Sample test 3

PDFs open directly from the government website in a new tab; use your browser’s download button to save them. Source and terms of use: Department practice tests. Links checked 8 September 2026.

Get familiar with the screen

PDFs for the questions.
Online for the experience.

A printed paper is useful for working through a tricky question together. For a practice sitting, we recommend a computer: your child can get used to the timer, question grid and flag controls as well as the questions. Start with the free official samples.

Start here · Free

Government online practice

Explore the official sample tests on the Janison platform. This is the reference for the current test experience.

Try government online tests
Our practice player
Our online practice player with question and answer panes, countdown timer and Back, Flag and Next controls.
The official sample test
The official sample test player showing its question layout, timer and navigation controls.

Our questions are our own. Selective Papers NSW is independent and is not affiliated with the Department of Education or Janison. See our guide to the computer-based test →

From Selective Papers NSW

Three more free practice PDFs

These are our original practice papers, separate from the government samples. The PDFs contain questions only. To see answers and worked explanations, use the online version’s review screen.

Questions about selective past papers

Are these past papers or sample tests?

The Department labels these downloads as sample practice tests 1, 2 and 3. They come from older paper-based versions of the test. We keep those labels rather than describe them as papers from a particular exam year.

Where are the answers?

Each official Reading, Mathematical Reasoning and Thinking Skills row has separate links for the answer key and explanations. Writing has a prompt only. Our own question-only PDFs are separate; their answers and explanations are available in the online test review.

Can I download the PDFs without signing up?

Yes. The official links open PDFs on the government website, and our three question-only PDFs download directly from this site. Neither requires an account. You can also try our 30 interactive questions without signing up.

Should we practise on paper or online?

Use PDFs to explore questions and discuss the reasoning at your own pace. Use online practice to rehearse reading on screen and navigating between questions. Start with the free government online samples, then choose additional practice if it is useful for your child.