A lot of students think there’s no point sitting the NSW selective high school test if they don’t actually want to go to a selective school. But honestly, it can be one of the best things you do before starting high school.

For many students, this is one of the first proper exam experiences they’ll have. Aside from NAPLAN, most kids haven’t sat a test that feels this structured or this important. Learning how to walk into an exam room, manage your time, stay calm under pressure and keep focused for a long period is a skill. And like any skill, the earlier you practise it, the better you get.

It also teaches you how to study in a way that school doesn’t always cover. Preparing for the selective test isn’t just about knowing content. It’s about building habits like consistency, revision, and working through questions you don’t immediately understand. You start to realise that improvement comes from practice, not just natural ability.

Even if you don’t get in or don’t plan to accept a place, the preparation alone puts you ahead. You go into high school already knowing how to handle exams, how to manage your time and how to stay disciplined with your study. That gives you a huge advantage when assessments start becoming more serious.

It can also build confidence. Sitting a challenging test and giving it a go shows you that you’re capable of more than you think. It shifts your mindset from being scared of hard things to being willing to take them on.

At the end of the day, it’s not just about the outcome. It’s about the experience. Sitting the selective test is a chance to grow, learn and set yourself up for high school in the best way possible.

Eireyna Papinyan