Year 5ASAT for Selective High School Entry · since 2008
Sit the full test before the real one.
A full-length, computer-based mock of the Selective High School Placement Test, run under real timing. Afterwards, each student gets a report comparing their results with everyone who sat the same ASAT.
Developed and conducted by Pre-Uni New College. Not endorsed by the NSW Department of Education.
Outcome reports were e-mailed on Sunday, 1 November 2026.
Registration opens once the test schedule is set.
Leave your e-mail and we will tell you the day registration opens.
- The test · 4 sections
- Reading17* questions45 min
- Mathematical Reasoning35 questions40 min
- Thinking Skills40 questions40 min
- Writing1 task30 min
- * Reading: 3 questions have multiple parts to answer
- Rounds held
- 38
- Since 2008, twice a year
- Fee
- TBC
- Confirmed when registration opens
Two rounds every year
Students can sit one round, or both to see their progress.
The 38th ASAT
Finished- Tue 13 OctTest Centre Advice Letter e-mailed
- Sun 18 OctOn-site ASAT
- Sun 1 NovOutcome report e-mailed to parents
The 39th ASAT
Next round- To be announcedLeave your e-mail above and we will let you know.
Since 2008 · two rounds every year
19 years. 38 rounds.
Updated every time the real test changed.
The Selective High School Placement Test has changed its sections, timing and format over the years. Each time, ASAT was updated to match, so students practise the same test they will sit.
- 2008
The first ASAT
A full mock of the test at the time: English, Mathematics, General Ability and Writing.
- 2021
The new test format
The test changed to Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, Thinking Skills and Writing. ASAT was rebuilt in the same format.
- 2025
Computer-based test
The real test moved to computers, and ASAT became a computer-based test too.
- 2026
The 38th ASAT
Two rounds a year, kept up to date with the latest information about the real test.
About
What is ASAT?
ASAT is a full practice test for students who will sit the Selective High School Placement Test. Its questions are kept up to date and follow the latest information about the real test. ASAT is developed and conducted by Pre-Uni New College.
ASAT gives students practice under real conditions: the same timing, the same computer-based format, a supervised venue and a full test day. This way, students know what to expect before the real test.
About the real test: NSW Department of Education
The real computer-based format
The timing, structure, question style and on-screen layout follow the real test, so students build the computer skills and pace they need on the day.
A real test day
Supervisor instructions, scheduled breaks and test-day routines in a supervised venue, so students experience test-day nerves before the real test.
More practice from home
After the on-site test, students sit two online full-set mock tests at home under timed conditions.
A detailed outcome report
Each student is compared with everyone who sat the same ASAT: accuracy in each section, overall and gender ranks, performance bands and comparison charts.
How are the results reported?
Every student receives an outcome report by e-mail, usually 2 weeks after the test. The report shows performance bands, overall rank, and averages and levels in each skill, compared with everyone who sat the same ASAT. School choice expectations are a guide only, especially outside the top range.
Registration
Dates for the 39th ASAT will be announced soon.
Leave your e-mail at the top of the page and we will let you know when registration opens. Places are limited and given in the order registrations are received. Registration closes early once all places are filled.
Conditions of registration (12)
- Every effort has been made to make the test accurate; however, we do not guarantee its accuracy or suitability for any particular purpose.
- This test has been developed by Pre-Uni New College and is not officially endorsed by the NSW Department of Education.
- The actual Selective High School Placement Test may differ in format, content and level of difficulty.
- All test questions are strictly confidential and will not be available for review.
- Cheating of any kind (including copying or screenshots) will result in immediate cancellation and loss of results.
- Make-up tests will not be available for missed sessions for any reason.
- No refunds or credits will be issued for cancelled registrations.
- If a student’s laptop fails, a rental laptop may be provided (if available) for a flat fee of $50, however long it is used. Parental permission is not required at the time.
- Pre-Uni New College is not responsible for damage to students’ personal laptops.
- Parents/guardians are responsible for any damage to the rental laptop resulting from their child’s negligence or carelessness.
- If the test cannot go ahead as scheduled due to unforeseen circumstances, the test centre may be changed or a make-up session arranged on a different date, time or venue.
- The online full-set mock tests can only be accessed during the given access period.
Registration fee
TBC
confirmed when registration opens
- Two online full-set mock tests
- On-site ASAT
- Outcome report e-mailed about 2 weeks after the test
What students say
“The ASAT test really helped me become familiar with the new selective test structure and time frames. The questions were really similar to the real test and they both had the same time limits and questions.”
“I found the ASAT test quite similar to the real test. The cloze passage was easier than the real test, and so was Thinking Skills.”
“This was very helpful in preparation for the selective school test. The sessions were managed by staff members just like the real test and it felt like the actual test which helped me familiarise myself with the tension!”
“The ASAT test was very helpful in preparation for the actual English, Maths and General Ability tests. The test times were the same. Even though the ASAT questions were a bit harder than the actual tests, it was very helpful and beneficial.”
“The ASAT was a bit harder than the actual tests but that’s always good because it’s preparing me and challenging me further than what we’d actually get. So I was prepared more than I need to be.”
“The actual test was very similar to the ASAT and I wasn’t feeling nervous because I’d done similar tests before. I was feeling really happy as I could use all my knowledge in the test.”
Can my child use an iPad?
No. Tablets (iPad, Galaxy Tab and others) are not supported. Bring a Windows laptop, a MacBook or a Chromebook, or rent one of our laptops for $50.
What happens if the laptop stops working during the test?
A rental laptop may be provided, if available, for a flat fee of $50.
When do we get the results?
The outcome report is e-mailed about two weeks after the test.
Can ASAT tell us which school my child will get into?
We do not recommend sitting ASAT only to get a school choice expectation. Any expectation in the report is based on comparisons with the students who sat the same ASAT, not with everyone who sits the real test. It is more reliable for students near the top of the group. For students in the middle and lower ranges, results often change from one test to another, so the expectation is much less certain.
Can we see the test questions afterwards?
No. All test questions are confidential and are not available for review.
Is ASAT run by the NSW Department of Education?
No. ASAT is developed and conducted by Pre-Uni New College and is not endorsed by the Department.
Free information
Useful pages for parents
Dates, past papers, school data and test guides, kept up to date by Pre-Uni New College. Free to read, no sign-up.
How to read trial test results · Writing test guide · Reading test tips
Year 4 · Opportunity Class Placement Test practice
ASAT for OC Entry
Questions?
Send us a message and we will reply by e-mail.
E-mail [email protected]
Address 5 The Crescent, Strathfield NSW 2135