NSW Selective exam-day guide
NSW Selective · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Printed or digital copy of your test admission details
Bring the confirmation or admission letter that shows your test centre, session time and candidate number. The exact format accepted (print vs phone) varies by provider, so confirm with the provider which form is accepted.
Acceptable photo identification
Check the provider's list of accepted ID types and whether a parent or guardian must also show ID at check-in. Requirements differ between test centres, so confirm with the provider rather than assuming.
Two dark pencils and an eraser
Multiple-choice answer sheets are usually marked by machine, so a clean eraser and sharpened pencils matter. Pack a small sharpener only if the provider permits it at the desk.
A clear water bottle with the label removed
Many venues require a transparent, unlabelled bottle and allow it only on the floor or desk edge. Confirm the venue's food and drink rule with the provider.
A watch that is not a smartwatch
Wall clocks may be out of view from your seat. A plain analogue or digital watch helps you pace sections, but confirm the provider's policy on watches before relying on one.
A jacket or extra layer
Exam halls are often heavily air-conditioned or poorly heated. A removable layer keeps you comfortable without distracting you mid-section.
A small snack for after the test
Keep it in your bag, not at the desk, unless the provider allows food during breaks. Confirm the break policy with the provider.
A plan to arrive early
Aim to reach the venue well before the reporting time to absorb traffic, parking and check-in queues. The exact reporting time and late-arrival rule are set by the provider, so confirm them in advance.
Your route and transport confirmed the day before
Know the building entrance, not just the street address. Large campuses often have multiple gates and the correct entrance is not always obvious.
A calm, rehearsed section strategy
Decide in advance how you will handle a question you cannot solve: make a best guess, mark it mentally and move on. Practise this in your final practice papers.
Plan the day
Stop learning new content. Run one or two full practice papers under timed conditions, then review errors by topic rather than redoing whole papers. Fix your sleep schedule so you are waking at your normal school time.
Re-read the provider's test-day information: reporting time, venue, ID rules, permitted items and break arrangements. Note anything ambiguous and confirm with the provider now rather than on the day.
Prepare your bag and lay out clothes, ID and stationery. Check transport timetables and, if driving, scout the venue or check parking options.
Do light revision only: skim your own summary notes on weak topics and a short list of common traps. No new practice papers and no late-night cramming.
Eat a normal dinner, avoid heavy screen time before bed, and set two alarms. Reconfirm your departure time and what you will eat for breakfast.
Eat a proper breakfast and drink water, but avoid anything unusually heavy or caffeinated if you are not used to it. Arrive at the venue early and go straight to check-in rather than joining a crowd of anxious candidates.
Once seated, read the instructions on the cover of the paper carefully, check the number of questions and sections, and note any stated time limits. If the paper's structure differs from what you expected, follow the written instructions and ask a supervisor.
Pace by sections, not by individual questions. If a section has a fixed time limit, keep an eye on the clock and leave a short buffer at the end for transferring or checking answers.
Answer every question if there is no penalty for wrong answers; confirm the scoring rule with the provider. If you are unsure, eliminate options and make a reasoned guess rather than leaving a blank.
If you feel panicking, put the pencil down, breathe slowly for a few seconds and restart with an easier question. If you need the toilet or feel unwell, raise your hand and speak to a supervisor rather than leaving the room.
Rules to check
Bring only permitted items to your desk. Bags, phones and smart devices usually go in a designated area, and phones should be switched off, not merely silenced. Confirm the exact list of banned items with the provider.
Follow all instructions from supervisors. Do not open the paper, turn it over or start writing until you are told to begin, and stop writing immediately when time is called.
Keep your eyes on your own work. Do not talk, gesture, look at another candidate's paper or let anyone copy from you, even if they initiate it.
Do not bring notes, formula sheets or any unauthorised aid unless the provider explicitly permits them for that test. If in doubt, leave it at home.
If you need to leave the room for the toilet or because you feel unwell, raise your hand and wait for a supervisor. Time lost is usually not made up, so confirm the policy with the provider.
Breaks, if any, are announced by supervisors. Stay in the designated area, do not discuss the test with other candidates, and return promptly when called.
Scoring rules, including whether wrong answers are penalised and how sections are weighted, are set by the provider. Confirm them before the test so your guessing strategy is correct.
If something goes wrong, such as a disrupted session, a misprinted paper or a personal emergency, tell a supervisor immediately and ask how it will be recorded. Do not wait until after the test to raise it.