Tips
Selective writing, explained
Short, practical guides for parents and students preparing for the NSW Selective writing task: how it's marked, what to practice, and how to get more onto the page in 30 minutes.
MarkingStart here
How the Selective writing test is marked: the rubric, band by band
The official NSW Selective writing marking criteria explained: Set A and Set B, the six bands, how the 50 marks add up, and what lifts a piece from Band 4 to Band 6.
5 November 2026 · 3 min read
- Typing
How to improve your child's typing speed for the Selective test
The Selective writing task is typed, so slow typing means fewer ideas on the page. A step-by-step plan to measure and improve your child's typing speed at home.
4 min read
- Parent guide
The NSW Selective writing test: what parents need to know
What the NSW Selective writing task involves, how it is marked, what markers look for and how to help your child prepare at home.
3 min read
- Planning
How to plan a Selective writing piece in 5 minutes
A simple five-minute planning method for the Selective writing task, with ready-to-use plans for stories, persuasive pieces and reports.
3 min read
- Text types
Narrative, persuasive, discursive and more: Selective writing text types explained
What each text type in the Selective writing task asks for, how to structure it, and the features markers look for, with tips for each.
3 min read
- Common mistakes
10 common Selective writing mistakes (and how to fix them)
The mistakes that most often cost marks in the Selective writing task, from drifting off-topic to missing paragraphs, and a simple fix for each.
2 min read
- Spelling
How to practice spelling and punctuation without spell-check
Spelling and punctuation are part of the Selective writing mark. How to build accuracy at home with spell-check switched off.
2 min read
- Practice plan
A 4-week writing and typing practice plan for Year 5 and 6
A simple four-week home plan to build typing speed, planning and writing skills for the NSW Selective test, in about 20 minutes a day.
2 min read
Put it into practice
Real-style prompts, typed like test day, marked against the same bands. No sign-up.