Up to four components — Reading Comprehension, Mathematical Reasoning, Abstract Reasoning (all multiple choice) and Written Expression. Schools choose a three- or four-component package, so which parts your child sits depends on the school.

Is the HAST the same as the OC or Selective test?

No. The OC and Selective tests are NSW government placement tests. The HAST is a separate ACER test used mainly by independent schools for scholarships and academic entry, though it tests similar reasoning skills.

What Is the HAST? A Parent's Guide

The HAST (Higher Ability Selection Test) is a test developed by ACER (the Australian Council for Educational Research). Many independent schools use it to select students for scholarships and for academic or accelerated entry. It measures reasoning and higher-order thinking rather than curriculum recall.

The components

The HAST has up to four components, and each school chooses a three- or four-component package — so exactly what your child sits depends on the school:

Component	Format	What it tests
Reading Comprehension	Multiple choice	Understanding, inference and interpretation across text types
Mathematical Reasoning	Multiple choice	Multi-step problem solving, not curriculum recall
Abstract Reasoning	Multiple choice	Non-verbal pattern and figure reasoning
Written Expression	Two writing tasks (creative + discursive)	Clear, well-structured writing under time

Levels and year of entry

Primary (HAST-P): Years 5–6
Junior: Year 7 entry
Middle: Year 9 entry
Senior: Year 11 entry

Format and timing

Mostly multiple choice, plus the written tasks.
Total testing time is roughly two to two-and-a-half hours, depending on the package.
Each multiple-choice section is tightly timed — pace matters.

How it's scored

Results are reported as standardised scores, percentiles and stanines against a high-ability reference group. There is no simple pass mark; each school sets its own selection cut-off, and results typically take several weeks.

How to prepare

Because the HAST rewards reasoning, the best preparation is practising the question styles under time — with explanations that teach the underlying thinking. See our HAST preparation guide and try free HAST-style practice across Reading, Mathematical Reasoning and Abstract Reasoning.

PrepPath is an independent educational platform and is not affiliated with ACARA or the NSW Department of Education. This guide is general information only — always check the official ACARA (nap.edu.au) or NSW Department of Education websites for current dates and rules.