EduTest runs scholarship tests for many independent schools and the entrance tests for most Victorian SEAL programs. Tests are built from five sections:
- Verbal reasoning
- Numerical reasoning
- Reading comprehension
- Mathematics
- Written expression
The multiple-choice sections are usually about 30 minutes each. Below are 15 original sample questions and two writing prompts at about Year 6 level, with answers at the end.
These are our own practice questions, not EduTest material. EduTest doesn't release past papers.
Verbal reasoning
1. Author is to novel as composer is to: A. orchestra B. symphony C. piano D. audience
2. Which word is the odd one out? A. river B. creek C. stream D. lake
3. Which word is closest in meaning to RELUCTANT? A. eager B. unwilling C. angry D. tired
4. If MANGO is written in code as NBOHP, how is PEACH written? A. QFBDI B. OFBDI C. QFBCI D. QDBDI
5. What comes next? A, C, F, J, O, ... A. S B. T C. U D. V
Numerical reasoning
6. What comes next? 2, 5, 11, 23, 47, ... A. 71 B. 89 C. 94 D. 95
7. What comes next? 81, 27, 9, 3, ... A. 0 B. 1 C. 2 D. 3
8. Find the missing number.
| 3 | 5 | 8 |
| 4 | 6 | 10 |
| 7 | 2 | ? |
A. 5 B. 9 C. 10 D. 14
9. What comes next? 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, ... A. 30 B. 34 C. 36 D. 49
Reading comprehension
Read the passage, then answer questions 10 and 11.
Tariq had rehearsed the speech so many times that the words had worn smooth, like stones in a creek. But when he stood up and saw forty faces turned towards him, every sentence slipped away. He looked down at his cards. The first one said, in his own handwriting: Breathe. He did. Then, slowly, the words came back.
10. "The words had worn smooth, like stones in a creek" suggests that: A. the speech was boring B. Tariq knew the speech so well it felt easy C. Tariq had written the speech near a creek D. the words were hard to read
11. Why had Tariq most likely written "Breathe" on his first card? A. He expected he might feel nervous. B. His teacher told him to. C. He had forgotten his speech. D. It was the title of his speech.
Mathematics
12. What is 15% of 240? A. 24 B. 30 C. 36 D. 48
13. Lily is 4 years older than Jo. In 3 years, the sum of their ages will be 30. How old is Jo now? A. 8 B. 10 C. 11 D. 13
14. A square has an area of 49 cm². What is its perimeter? A. 14 cm B. 21 cm C. 28 cm D. 49 cm
15. Which is the same as 0.375? A. 3/8 B. 3/7 C. 37/50 D. 1/3
Written expression
EduTest usually gives one short timed task. Try each prompt in 20 to 25 minutes.
Prompt A (narrative): The door had always been locked. Today it was open.
Prompt B (persuasive): Homework should be banned in primary school. Do you agree or disagree?
Want feedback? Upload your child's response through our free sample and add a human-marked review for $15.
Answers and explanations
| Q | Answer | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | B | An author creates a novel. A composer creates a symphony. |
| 2 | D | Rivers, creeks and streams flow. A lake doesn't. |
| 3 | B | Reluctant means not wanting to do something. |
| 4 | A | Each letter moves forward one place: P→Q, E→F, A→B, C→D, H→I. |
| 5 | C | The gaps grow by one: +2, +3, +4, +5, so next is +6. O + 6 = U. |
| 6 | D | Each number is doubled, plus 1: 47 × 2 + 1 = 95. |
| 7 | B | Each number is divided by 3. |
| 8 | B | In each row, the first two numbers add to the third: 7 + 2 = 9. |
| 9 | C | Square numbers: 1², 2², 3², 4², 5², so next is 6² = 36. |
| 10 | B | Stones in a creek become smooth from being rubbed over and over, just as the speech was practised over and over. |
| 11 | A | He'd planned for the moment his words "slipped away". |
| 12 | C | 10% of 240 = 24 and 5% = 12, so 15% = 36. |
| 13 | B | In 3 years: Jo + 3 and Jo + 7. So 2 × Jo + 10 = 30 and Jo = 10. |
| 14 | C | The side is 7 cm (7 × 7 = 49). The perimeter is 4 × 7 = 28 cm. |
| 15 | A | 3 ÷ 8 = 0.375. |
What these questions show
- Verbal reasoning is the section most children have never seen at school. It leans heavily on vocabulary, as in questions 1 and 3. See our vocabulary list for selective tests and verbal reasoning guide.
- Numerical reasoning is mostly about finding the rule. Check it works for every step, not just the first two. See number series and matrices.
- Reading questions often test figurative language, like the simile in question 10.
More practice
- EduTest practice tests: full timed papers across all five sections, with worked explanations and human-marked writing
- EduTest exam format and EduTest results and stanines explained
- Applying for SEAL in Victoria? See our SEAL test guide.
Frequently asked questions
Does EduTest publish sample questions? EduTest provides limited sample material through schools. There are no public past papers.
Which schools use EduTest? Many independent schools for scholarships, and most Victorian SEAL programs.
How long is an EduTest test? Usually a morning session of about three hours with breaks.
Sample questions written by Practice Tests & Exams. Not affiliated with EduTest.