Part 6: Excelling in the Higher Ability Selection Test (HAST)

Some Selective Schools require you to sit an entry test called HAST developed by ACER if you wish to enrol in Years 8-11. These schools include:

• Caringbah High
• Girraween High
• Gosford High
• Manly Selective
• North Sydney Girls
• St George Girls
• Hornsby Girls
• Normanhurst Boys
• Fort Street High (Year 11 only)

The HAST test contains different levels. Year 7 students hoping to gain entry in Year 8 need to sit the Junior Secondary HAST test. Years 8 and 9 students hoping to gain entry in Year 9 and 10 respectively, need to sit the Middle Secondary HAST test. Years 10 and 11 students hoping to gain entry in Year 11 and 12 respectively need to sit the Senior Secondary test.

The HAST tests all contain four components:

• Mathematical Reasoning
• Reading Comprehension
• Abstract Reasoning
• Written Expression
  • Part One: Discursive Task
  • Part Two: Creative Task

Let’s go through each part carefully.

Mathematical Reasoning

This test consists of approximately 30 multiple choice questions which are to be attempted within 40 minutes. Here are some tips on how best to prepare for this section:

Reading Comprehension

This test consists of approximately 40 multiple choice questions which are to be attempted within 40-45 minutes. They require an understanding of complex texts. To excel in this section, make sure you:

Abstract Reasoning

This test consists of approximately 30 multiple choice questions which are to be attempted within 30-40 minutes. This section is quite hard to prepare for as it doesn’t rely on what you know but rather logical reasoning. However there are still things you can do to increase your confidence in the exam room:

Let’s walk through a question together. Imagine if you were given this in the exam:

1. What comes next?

The correct answer is D. This question is quite challenging. The star alternates between moving two and three positions diagonally. The heart moves one position diagonally. Both alternate between being white or grey. If you didn’t get it, there’s always time to practise!

Written Expression

This test consists of two writing tasks, each of which must be completed within 25 minutes. It changes year to year but you may be required to write a creative and a discursive piece or you may be required to do just one and not the other. The writing will be assessed on the following criteria:

• Thought and content
• Structure and organisation
• Expression, style and mechanics

A creative writing question might look something like this:

Often in books or on radio or television, a person in a story says ‘Safe at last!’ when they reach home or find hiding places.

Write a story which uses ‘Safe at last!’ as an important saying.

A discursive writing question might look something like this:

Is social media a distraction? Justify you answer.

This section is notoriously hard due to the time constraint. Here are some of our tips:

Is doing well in the HAST enough to secure a spot?

Unfortunately, no.

Doing well in the HAST is just the first step. In most schools, they will first select a pool of academically capable students based on their HAST results and in some schools, their NAPLAN results. The schools’ enrolment committee will then narrow down the selection to around 20 students by looking at their extracurricular activities like music, sports or volunteering.

If you want to increase your chances of gaining entry, make sure you take time on your weekend to play a sport or volunteer at your local library. Completing your Bronze Duke of Edinburgh in Year 10 is also looked upon favourably.

Practice Papers and Resources

Here are some helpful past papers and resources:

• Official HAST Practice Papers
• UNSW Science Competitions Practice Papers
• Matrix Blog: Transferring to a Selective High School in Year 11