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Based on real NSW Selective marking criteria.

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✨ Currently 100% free ✨ Year 5–6 level

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Know your score — and exactly what to fix to reach Band 5–6.

A real example — see how it can improve
You've probably heard the saying "If you have friends you have the best present of all" before. It means what you think it means. Having friends is very important in life. Although this is an extremely controversial and widely debated topic, I fervently believe that friendships are very important to have. This is because friends help you when you need it, friends can cheer you up and friendship is and friends give a sense of belonging. To begin with, friends help you when you need it. If you are making a craft project and the craft is falling down, getting a friend to help you hold it up is a great example. Or maybe you are struggling to beat a boss in a video game and your friend is very good, they could give you tips and maybe help you defeat it. Furthermore, friends will cheer you up when you are sad. If something bad has happened or your emotions are getting out of control friends will help you. Say you've just lost a race or something competitive and you are very sad, friends could comfort you in some way. Finally, friends give you a sense of belonging. If you are left out in a group activity, your friends will come and include you in their group, making you feel like you belong. In conclusion it is insurmountabl;y clear that if you have close relationships with friends it can certainly help you live a better life. Thereforer, it is abundantly calear that you will have a much better time with friendfs rather that without.

This is a typical Band 5 response

19/25 Band 5 Competitive
Content & Detail 4/5
Structure & Cohesion 4/5
Vocabulary 4/5
Sentence Variety 3/4
Punctuation 2/3
Spelling 2/3
Top Strengths
Clear example → makes your idea strong
Personal voice → engaging and confident
Areas to Improve
Fix spelling errors in the conclusion
Add more vivid examples
Improve transitions between paragraphs
What to do next (to reach Band 5–6)
Step 1: Add a comma after ‘In conclusion’
Step 2: Fix ‘Thereforer’ → ‘Therefore’ and ‘calear’ → ‘clear’
Step 3: Replace repeated ‘friends help you’ with a synonym
Content & Detail 4/5

The essay presents well-chosen content with relevant and clear examples supporting the importance of friendship, such as helping with crafts and cheering up when sad. Ideas are well developed but could be more vivid or original.

“friends help you when you need it, friends can cheer you up and friendship is and friends give a sense of belonging.”
“If you are making a craft project and the craft is falling down, getting a friend to help you hold it up is a great example.”
“Although this is an extremely controversial and widely debated topic, I fervently believe that friendships are very important to have.”
  • Try adding more vivid or personal examples to make your ideas more engaging, for instance, describe a specific moment when a friend helped you.
  • Avoid phrases like ‘extremely controversial and widely debated topic’ when the topic is straightforward; instead, focus on your own perspective.
  • Expand on the idea of ‘sense of belonging’ with a more detailed example or explanation, e.g. how it feels to be included.
Structure & Cohesion 4/5

The essay has a clear introduction, body paragraphs each with a main idea, and a conclusion. Paragraphs are used and ideas are linked logically, though transitions could be smoother and the conclusion slightly stronger.

“To begin with, friends help you when you need it.”
“Furthermore, friends will cheer you up when you are sad.”
“In conclusion it is insurmountabl;y clear that if you have close relationships with friends it can certainly help you live a better life.”
  • Try using more varied linking words to connect ideas smoothly, for example, instead of repeating ‘friends’ at the start of each sentence.
  • Make your conclusion stronger by summarising your main points clearly and adding a final thought.
  • Ensure each paragraph focuses on one main idea with supporting details to improve clarity.

This is how your writing can improve

Band 3 (typical)
  • Simple, repetitive vocabulary
  • No clear paragraph structure
  • Abrupt, unsatisfying ending
Weak example
“The park was very fun. I played games and it was really good. I liked it a lot and I want to go there again because it made me happy.”
Band 5 (target)
  • Specific, varied word choices
  • Clear beginning, middle & end
  • Strong, satisfying conclusion
Strong example
“The park was full of laughter as I raced across the field with my friends, enjoying every moment. By the end of the day, I left with a big smile, already hoping to return for another exciting adventure.”
✨ What changed:
More specific details
Less repetition
Stronger structure
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How scoring works

Essays are scored across 6 dimensions, matching the NSW Selective School writing criteria (Set A + Set B, total 25 marks). Learn what each score means →

DimensionMaxWhat it measures
Content & Detail5Relevance, specificity, development, originality
Structure & Cohesion5Paragraphing, sequencing, cohesion, satisfying ending
Style, Vocabulary & Register5Word choice, stylistic features, tone, formality
Sentence Variety & Control4Length/type variety, complex sentence control
Punctuation3Correctness, range, deliberate use of internal punctuation
Spelling3Common, irregular, and ambitious word accuracy

What the scores mean

BandScore RangeInterpretation
Band 622–25Outstanding — top-tier selective school level
Band 518–21Strong — competitive for selective placement
Band 414–17Competent — solid skills, room to sharpen
Band 310–13Developing — key areas to work on
Band 26–9Emerging — needs focused practice
Band 10–5Beginning — building foundational skills

Practice Prompts

Timed writing practice — just like the real NSW Selective test. Read our genre guides: Narrative, Persuasive, Informative.

5 min plan + 22 min write + 3 min proofread = 30 min total
Recount / Narrative / Creative

The Day the Power Went Out

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    Get dimension-by-dimension scores with specific evidence from your child's writing — in under 30 seconds.

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    NSW Selective aligned

    Scoring criteria match the real Selective High School Placement Test — Set A (content, structure, style) and Set B (sentences, punctuation, spelling).

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    Track progress over time

    Submit essays regularly and watch scores improve. See which dimensions are growing and which need more practice.

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    How is writing scored on the NSW Selective test?

    The NSW Selective Writing Test is scored out of 25 marks across 6 dimensions in two sets. Set A (15 marks) covers Content & Detail (0–5), Structure & Cohesion (0–5), and Style, Vocabulary & Register (0–5). Set B (10 marks) covers Sentence Variety & Control (0–4), Punctuation (0–3), and Spelling (0–3). Total scores are mapped to Bands 1–6.

    What writing genres appear on the test?

    The test may ask for one of three genres: Narrative (storytelling with plot, character, and setting), Persuasive (argument with evidence and rhetorical devices), or Informative/Discursive (explanation, report, advice sheet, or discussion). Students should prepare for all three as the genre is unknown until test day.

    How can I help my child prepare for the Selective Writing test?

    Effective preparation involves regular timed practice (30 minutes per essay, matching test conditions), structured feedback on each attempt, reading widely to build vocabulary, and tracking progress over time. A 12-week plan with 1–2 essays per week is a proven approach. See our complete preparation guide for a detailed week-by-week plan.

    What score is competitive for selective school placement?

    Band 5 (18–21 out of 25) is generally competitive for selective school placement. Band 6 (22–25) is outstanding. Band 4 (14–17) may be sufficient for less competitive placements, especially with strong scores in other test components. There is no fixed passing score — it depends on the cohort and the specific school.

    Can AI accurately score selective school writing?

    EurekaWrite's AI scorer is calibrated against the NSW Selective Writing rubric and scores essays across all 6 official dimensions. Every score is backed by specific evidence quotes from the student's writing, making feedback transparent and verifiable. While no AI replaces a human marker, EurekaWrite provides consistent, detailed feedback that helps students identify specific areas for improvement.

    Free Writing Guides

    In-depth resources to help your child understand the test and improve their writing.

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