The Selective High School Placement Test has been designed to allow students to demonstrate their abilities across a range of areas, including reading, mathematical reasoning, thinking skills and writing.
In 2023, the placement test is expected to be in a paper-based format.
Test structure
The test consists of four sections and is structured as follows:
| Section | Minutes | Questions | Type | Weighting | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | 40 | 30 | Multiple choice | 25% | |
| Mathematical reasoning | 40 | 35 | Multiple choice | 25% | |
| Thinking skills | 40 | 40 | Multiple choice | 35% | |
| Writing | 30 | 1 | Open response | 15% |
Reading Test
The reading test consists of 30 questions. Students have 40 minutes to complete the test. The questions are based on a diverse range of texts and assess a range of reading skills. The answers are all multiple choice.
The reading test questions are based on different genres such as non-fiction, fiction, poetry, magazine articles and reports.
Mathematical Reasoning Test
The mathematical reasoning test consists of 35 questions. Students have 40 minutes to complete the test. The answers are all multiple choice.
The mathematical reasoning test assesses the student’s ability to apply mathematical understanding and knowledge to problems, with questions drawn from a range of mathematical content areas.
Calculators are not used in the mathematical reasoning test.
Thinking skills Test
The thinking skills test consists of 40 questions. Students have 40 minutes to complete the test. The answers are all multiple choice.
The thinking skills test assesses the student’s ability in critical thinking and problem solving. There are a range of different question types in the test.
No previous knowledge is required for this test.
Writing Test
The writing test consists of a topic about which students must write according to the instructions. Students have 30 minutes to complete the test. The test assesses the student’s creativity of ideas and ability to write effectively for a purpose and audience. The test will also assess grammar, punctuation, spelling and vocabulary. Students who do not address the topic in their writing, regardless of fluency or creativity, will receive low marks.
Students use pencils to show their answers. Multiple choice tests are marked by computer.