Don't leave it too late
Once the test has been completed in May, you cannot go back and prepare for that test.
For Year 5 students, there is more time to gradually build their skills. If your child is already in Year 6, Term 1 is the time to start.
Selective School PreparationBuild the skills. Practise the test. Improve before May.
Selective preparation at Markitup combines METS, our 3-hour Maths, English and Thinking Skills program, with an additional 1.5-hour Selective Placement Class.
We want students to understand why an answer is correct, not just memorise answers.
- METS + Selective Placement
- 70% offered a Selective place
- Free METS trial
What is a Selective High School?
Selective high schools are public high schools that provide an academically challenging environment for students who meet the required academic merit for placement.
Students apply for Year 7 entry while they are in Year 5 or Year 6, then sit the Selective High School Placement Test during Year 6.
Selective preparation at Markitup combines METS + the Selective Placement Class, so students build the underlying skills and practise specifically for the test.
Free trial available for METS only.
Selective preparation at a glance
- Test held in early May of Year 6
- METS: 3 hours per week
- Selective Placement Class: 1.5 hours per week
- 4.5 hours of Selective preparation each week
- Reading, Maths Reasoning, Thinking Skills, Writing
- 70% of our students offered a Selective place
What is a Selective High School?
Selective high schools are public high schools that provide an academically challenging environment for students who meet the required academic merit for placement.
Students apply for Year 7 entry while they are in Year 5 or Year 6, then sit the Selective High School Placement Test during Year 6. Applications generally open towards the end of Year 5, close in February of Year 6, and the test is held in May. Results are released later in the year.
The Selective School Timeline:
- Applications openYear 5, around November
- Applications closeYear 6, around February
- PreparationYear 6, Term 1
- Selective Placement TestYear 6, early May
- Test completedYear 6, Term 2
- Placement outcomesAround August
Important: exact dates change each year, so always check the latest information from the NSW Department of Education.
What is in the Selective High School Placement Test?
The current Selective High School Placement Test is computer-based and consists of four sections. It is designed to assess skills such as reading comprehension, mathematical reasoning, critical thinking, problem solving and written expression.
Reading
17 questions in 45 minutes.
Mathematical Reasoning
35 questions in 40 minutes.
Thinking Skills
40 questions in 40 minutes.
Writing
1 task in 30 minutes.
The four sections are equally weighted.
Want to see what the test looks like? The NSW Department of Education provides Official Selective Practice Tests so parents and students can become familiar with the test format.
Selective Preparation by Year Level
Year 5: Start Preparing Early
For Year 5 students, there is more time to gradually build their skills before moving into intensive Selective preparation.
Start with METS. Then add Selective Placement.
Year 6: Start Now
If your child is sitting the test this year, Term 1 is the time to prepare.
We recommend joining both METS and the Selective Placement Class immediately, for 4.5 hours of Selective preparation each week.
METS: Build the Academic Foundation
METS is our 3-hour weekly program covering:
- Mathematics
- English
- Thinking Skills
Students continue developing the knowledge, comprehension, problem-solving and reasoning skills that underpin the Selective Test.
METS gives students the opportunity to learn and strengthen the underlying skills, rather than simply completing test questions.
Free trial available for METS only.
Selective Placement Class: Prepare for the Test
The Selective Placement Class is an additional 1.5-hour weekly class specifically focused on Selective Test preparation.
Students practise:
- Reading
- Mathematical Reasoning
- Thinking Skills
- Writing
- Timed questions
- Selective-style questions
- Practice papers
- Test strategies
- Working under exam conditions
Students don't just complete questions. They learn how to approach unfamiliar problems, manage their time, recognise question patterns and review their mistakes.
METS + Placement Class = 4.5 Hours Each Week
METS, 3 hours/week: build the academic skills and foundations. Selective Placement, 1.5 hours/week: apply those skills specifically to the Selective Test.
This gives students regular exposure to the skills they need rather than relying on last-minute preparation before the exam.
This gives students time to:
- 1Learn
- 2Practise
- 3Make mistakes
- 4Understand
- 5Improve
- 6Practise again
That's much more useful than trying to cram everything into the final few weeks before the test.
What Makes Our Approach Different?
We don't believe Selective preparation should simply mean giving students hundreds of practice questions.
We want students to understand why an answer is correct, identify where they went wrong and develop the skills to tackle the next unfamiliar question.
- 1Learn the skill
- 2Practise the skill
- 3Apply the skill
- 4Review the mistake
- 5Try again
That's how we help students become better problem solvers, not just better at memorising answers.
Selective Preparation Can Help Beyond Selective Schools
The skills developed through Selective preparation can also be useful for students preparing for other competitive academic entry pathways.
The focus is on developing strong reasoning, comprehension, problem-solving and written communication skills.
So even if your ultimate goal isn't a Selective High School, developing these skills can still be valuable.
Also useful for:
- Private school entrance examinations
- Academic scholarship examinations
- Other academic placement tests
- More challenging academic work
Our Selective Results
We are proud of the results our students have achieved.
70% of our students were offered a place at a Selective High School.
Results vary from student to student, and we never guarantee a Selective placement. What we can provide is a structured learning environment, experienced teaching and plenty of opportunities to practise and improve.
Our students have been accepted into schools including:
- Baulkham Hills High School
- Hurlstone Agricultural High School
- Moorebank High School
- Bonnyrigg High School
- Prairiewood High School
- Macquarie Fields High School
Why Families Choose Markitup for Selective Preparation
METS Foundation
Our 3-hour weekly Maths, English and Thinking Skills program builds the skills that underpin the Selective Test.
Selective Placement Class
An additional 1.5-hour weekly class focused specifically on Selective Test preparation.
Thinking Skills Practice
Students build the reasoning skills that Thinking Skills questions require, through practice and exposure.
Timed, Exam-Style Practice
Students practise Selective-style questions and practice papers under exam conditions.
Learning From Mistakes
Students review their mistakes and understand why an answer is correct.
Maximum 8 Students
Small classes allow tutors to monitor students and provide individual assistance.
70% Offered a Place
70% of our students were offered a place at a Selective High School.
Free METS Trial
Experience a Markitup lesson before making a commitment.
Start Selective preparation
Give your child the time to build their skills, practise the test format and improve before May.
Start with METS. Then add Selective Placement. We offer a FREE trial lesson for METS, so you can see how your child responds to our teaching before making a commitment.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do students sit the Selective Test?
Students sit the Selective High School Placement Test in early May of Year 6, for Year 7 entry. Applications generally open towards the end of Year 5 and close in February of Year 6.
When should my child start preparing?
For Year 5 students, there is more time to gradually build their skills. If your child is already in Year 6, Term 1 is the time to start, with both METS and the Selective Placement Class.
What is in the Selective Placement Test?
The current test is computer-based and has four equally weighted sections: Reading (17 questions, 45 minutes), Mathematical Reasoning (35 questions, 40 minutes), Thinking Skills (40 questions, 40 minutes) and Writing (1 task, 30 minutes).
Does my child need to do Selective preparation?
No. Selective preparation is not necessary for every child. However, if you are considering applying for the Selective exam to see how they go, spending some time preparing makes a significant difference to your child's confidence level.
Do you guarantee a Selective placement?
No. Results vary from student to student, and we never guarantee a Selective placement. 70% of our students were offered a place at a Selective High School.
Is there a free trial?
Yes. We offer a FREE trial lesson for METS, so you can see how your child responds to our teaching before making a commitment. The free trial applies to METS only. The Selective Placement Class is an additional class for students undertaking Selective preparation.
Have another question? Ask Miu.
Miu can answer questions about Selective preparation, class times, centres and fees, any time of day.
- Which class suits my child?
- What are the class times?
- Which centre is closest?