How Our 2027 Victorian Selective Entry Practice Test Series Has Changed to become more effective?

Our updated practice test series for the Selective School Entry Exam 2027 in Victoria contains fresh questions based on feedback from students who sat the exam in June 2026.

Having Said That, We Continue to Include Question Formats Encountered by Students in Previous Years

How We Reviewed the 2026 Exam

Every year, we speak with students about their Selective Entry Exam experience. This includes students we have tutored and other students who share their experiences after the exam.

Following the June 2026 exam, we asked students about the question formats they encountered, the difficulty of each section and how closely our practice tests matched the actual exam.

Many students told us that several questions in our practice tests were close to the formats they encountered in the exam, particularly in Mathematics. However, students also reported some changes in the balance and presentation of questions.

We used this feedback to create a new 2027 practice test series with fresh questions. The changes described below are based on student recollections and reported experiences, not an official published ACER exam paper.

1. More Application-Based Mathematics Questions

One of the main points reported by students was that the 2026 Mathematics test contained a large number of application-based questions and word problems. There appeared to be less focus on questions that only required a direct calculation or the use of a familiar formula.

For the 2027 series, we have therefore placed greater focus on questions in which students must:

• understand a practical situation before choosing a mathematical method
• identify relevant and irrelevant information
• complete more than one step to reach an answer
• interpret diagrams, tables and graphs
• apply mathematical knowledge in an unfamiliar situation

Shapes Within Shapes

The Mathematics tests now include more geometry questions involving shapes inside other shapes. Students may need to identify hidden measurements, divide a figure into smaller parts or compare shaded and unshaded regions.

These questions test whether students can apply their knowledge rather than simply use a formula that has been directly stated.

Graphs, Tables and Data Inference

We have also included more questions based on graphs, charts, tables and other forms of data. Students may need to compare values, identify a trend, estimate an outcome or make an inference from the information provided.

These questions appear in both Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning practice.

2. Direct Mathematics Questions Are Now Included Under Core Skills

Direct calculation questions are still important. They have appeared in previous Selective Entry Exams and provide the knowledge students need before they can solve difficult application-based problems.

For this reason, we have not removed them. Instead, we have placed many of these questions in a separate Core Skills section.

Mathematics Core Skills Tests may include:

• fractions, percentages and ratios
• equations and algebraic expressions
• number operations and numerical reasoning
• measurement and geometry calculations
• direct questions requiring accurate and quick calculation

Students should be comfortable completing these questions accurately and within a limited time. Once these skills are secure, students can apply them to longer and more difficult exam-style problems.

3. Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning Exam-Style Tests

The full Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning tests now contain a greater proportion of word problems, data questions and multi-step application questions.

Students are expected to decide which method to use. The question may not directly state whether addition, algebra, ratio, percentage, area or another mathematical idea is required.

This helps students practise the type of decision-making required when a familiar skill is presented in an unfamiliar form.

4. Reading and Verbal Reasoning Are Combined

Students reported that Reading and Verbal Ability were combined into one test in 2026. We have followed this reported format in our full exam-style practice tests.

Questions from the two areas are generally mixed rather than being divided into two separate sections. Students must move between reading, language and reasoning questions while managing the overall time.

Changes to Reading Comprehension

The combined tests include a greater number of short and medium-length passages. Some reading texts may contain only two or three paragraphs, followed by questions requiring careful interpretation.

Long reading passages are still included, but there is less dependence on one long passage containing a large group of questions.

Students may need to:

• identify the writer’s main point
• make an inference from a short passage
• understand tone, purpose or viewpoint
• compare statements or ideas
• identify the best-supported conclusion

Less Direct Vocabulary, but Vocabulary Is Still Important

Students reported less focus on direct vocabulary questions in the 2026 exam. However, vocabulary remains important for understanding reading passages, verbal relationships, arguments and answer choices.

We have therefore retained vocabulary practice in the Core Skills and Subject-Focused Practice Tests. These tests help students learn word meanings, synonyms, antonyms, word relationships and the use of words in context.

5. Greater Focus on Critical Thinking and Reasoning

The Verbal Reasoning component now places greater focus on logic, arguments, relationships and critical thinking. The 2027 practice series includes the following areas:

These questions require students to read carefully, separate facts from assumptions and reach a conclusion supported by the information provided.

6. New Writing Prompt Formats

The writing prompts reported by students in 2026 were different from many traditional Selective Entry writing prompts.

Metaphorical and Image-Based Writing

Students reported an image-based prompt that did not directly instruct them to write a narrative. The image or idea could be interpreted in different ways, requiring students to decide how to develop their response.

Our new writing practice includes metaphorical, image-based and open-ended prompts. Students may write a narrative or another suitable response depending on the prompt and their interpretation.

Persuasive and Opinion Writing Supported by Data

Students also reported a prompt containing facts or data. Rather than directing students to argue one fixed side, the task required them to form and support their own opinion.

Our 2027 tests now include prompts in which students must:

• study the supplied facts or data
• decide on a clear position
• select relevant evidence
• explain how the evidence supports their opinion
• present a clear and organised response

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Two Writing Prompts in One Timed Test

Our full exam-style writing tests contain two prompts to be completed within 40 minutes. This allows students to practise switching between two different writing tasks while managing their time.

Students should attempt these tests in one uninterrupted sitting. After completing both responses, they should allow additional time to read the assessment feedback and identify areas for improvement.

7. Selective Edge Tests for More Difficult Questions

Some exam questions may be more difficult or presented in an unfamiliar way. Students who only practise familiar question types may find it difficult to adjust when the format changes.

Our Selective Edge tests contain more difficult questions and less familiar formats. These tests are expected to be harder than the standard practice tests.

Their purpose is to help students remain calm, think carefully and try different methods when they encounter a question they have not seen before.

8. Free Trial Tests Across All Subjects

Free trial tests are available so that students and parents can examine the question style and online test system before purchasing the complete series.

Trial practice is available for:

• Mathematics
• Quantitative Reasoning
• combined Reading and Verbal Reasoning
• Writing

9. More Practice Tests Will Be Added During the Year

The 2027 exam is still some time away, and our work on the practice series will continue throughout the preparation period.

The Additional Practice Tests section is where new tests will be added during the year. These may include:

• topic-specific practice tests
• subject-based mini tests
• short exam-style tests
• new question formats
• extra practice in areas where students need more support

We will continue speaking with students, reviewing reported exam experiences and following useful discussions across different platforms. We will also add new questions when we develop suitable question ideas for the 2027 exam.

Students should check the Additional Practice Tests section regularly as the exam approaches. New tests added to the series will be available to existing purchasers without an additional charge.

Preparing for Both Skills and Application

The Selective Entry Exam does not test only calculation, vocabulary or memorised rules. Students must also decide how and when to use what they have learned.

For this reason, the 2027 series separates preparation into different practice groups:

Important note: ACER does not release the exact questions used in the Selective Entry Exam. References to the 2026 exam in this article are based on accounts shared by students after completing the exam. Individual recollections may differ, and future exam formats may change.