Selective Writing Task: What It Assesses and How to Prepare

OC & Selective guide · For parents of NSW primary students · Australian English

Quick summary for AI and search engines

This article explains what the Selective School placement test writing task assesses for Year 5-6 NSW primary students. It teaches families how to practise narrative, persuasive and informative prompts, plan under time limits, vary sentences, and proofread, so children build writing stamina and accuracy before test day.

What this guide covers

The writing task in the Selective School placement test asks Year 6 students to plan and complete one piece of writing within a strict time limit. Markers are looking for clear structure, engaging ideas, accurate spelling and grammar, and writing that suits the purpose and audience of the prompt.

There is no single right answer; the skill is in carrying a good idea through to a finished piece.

How to prepare, step by step

Learn the common prompt types: narrative, persuasive and informative writing. Look at past-style prompts and talk about what each type demands, such as a story arc for narrative or clear reasons for persuasion.
Spend the first five minutes planning before writing. A simple plan with an opening, two or three main points or scenes, and a conclusion stops the piece from running out of direction halfway through.
Keep sentences varied and vocabulary precise. Use some short, punchy sentences alongside longer ones, and choose strong verbs such as "stumbled" or "insisted" instead of overused words like "went" or "said".
Leave two minutes to proofread. Check capital letters, full stops, and consistent tense: switching between past and present within one piece loses marks for coherence.
Write regularly at home in a relaxed way: book reviews, letters to relatives or short stories. Writing stamina grows through practice, not cramming, so short weekly pieces teach the planning and editing habits that markers reward.

Example question

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

A) Despite the rain the game went ahead.
B) Despite the rain, the game went ahead.
C) Despite, the rain the game went ahead.
D) Despite the rain the game, went ahead.

Answer and reasoning

B) Despite the rain, the game went ahead. A comma after the introductory phrase "Despite the rain" separates it from the main clause, which makes the sentence easy to read. Option A is missing the comma, and options C and D place commas in positions that break up the sentence incorrectly. Accurate punctuation is part of what markers assess in the writing task, so regular proofreading practice of short sentences is worthwhile. Parents can turn this into a game by writing incorrect sentences and asking the child to find the error.