Updated for 2026 • Victorian Selective Entry • Year 9 entry

Free Year 9 Victorian Selective Entry Practice Papers — 2026 format

Download the free complete Set A pack for the updated Victorian Selective Entry exam format. Includes Maths + Quantitative Reasoning, Reading + Verbal Reasoning and Writing.

Complete 2.5-hour practice set: 60 minutes Maths + Quantitative Reasoning, 55 minutes Reading + Verbal Reasoning, and 40 minutes Writing.
100% Australian 3 print-ready PDFs Answers + reasoning No credit card required

Exam data

2026 Victorian Selective Entry format at a glance

Set A is designed as a complete home practice pack across the three 2026-format papers.

Maths + Quantitative Reasoning

60 minutes

Number, algebra, geometry, probability, rates, patterns, logic, data interpretation and multi-step reasoning.

📖

Reading + Verbal Reasoning

55 minutes

Reading comprehension, vocabulary, inference, tone, analogies, deduction and verbal logic.

✍️

Writing

40 minutes

Persuasive writing task with stimulus material, planning space and lined writing pages.

Preparation checklist

Final preparation should be simple, timed and calm

In the final weeks, parents do not need to overload students with endless worksheets. A better approach is to practise under timing, review errors carefully and build confidence.

Try 4 harder questions

Reasoning and maths warm-up

These sample questions are designed to feel more selective-style: multi-step, reasoning-heavy and easy to get wrong under time pressure.

Maths / Quantitative Reasoning

Question 1

A number is increased by 20%, then the result is decreased by 20%. Which statement is true?

  1. The final number is unchanged.
  2. The final number is 4% less than the original.
  3. The final number is 4% more than the original.
  4. The final number is 20% less than the original.
Show answer and reasoning

Answer: B. Let the number be 100. After a 20% increase it becomes 120. A 20% decrease from 120 is 24, so the final value is 96. That is 4% less than the original.

Maths / Quantitative Reasoning

Question 2

The average of five numbers is 36. When one number is removed, the average of the remaining four numbers is 32. What number was removed?

  1. 40
  2. 44
  3. 48
  4. 52
Show answer and reasoning

Answer: D. Total of five numbers = 5 × 36 = 180. Total of remaining four numbers = 4 × 32 = 128. Removed number = 180 - 128 = 52.

Verbal Reasoning

Question 3

Transparent is to opaque as generous is to:

  1. kind
  2. selfish
  3. wealthy
  4. helpful
Show answer and reasoning

Answer: B. Transparent and opaque are opposites. The opposite of generous is selfish.

Reading / Verbal Reasoning

Question 4

Although the committee described the new rule as temporary, several members privately admitted that reversing it later would be politically difficult.

What is the best inference?

  1. The committee does not understand the rule.
  2. The rule is certain to be reversed soon.
  3. The rule may become permanent despite being described as temporary.
  4. The members all publicly opposed the rule.
Show answer and reasoning

Answer: C. The phrase “politically difficult” suggests that although the rule is labelled temporary, it may be hard to undo later.

Free download

Download the complete free Set A pack

Get all three print-ready PDFs for a complete 2.5-hour Year 9 Victorian Selective Entry practice session at home.

Included in Set A

  • Maths + Quantitative Reasoning — 60 minutes
  • Reading + Verbal Reasoning — 55 minutes
  • Writing — 40 minutes
  • Answers with reasoning included for the multiple-choice papers
  • No credit card required

Unlock free PDFs

You will unlock all three Set A PDFs together: Maths + Quantitative Reasoning, Reading + Verbal Reasoning and Writing.

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Your complete free Set A pack is ready

Download, print and practise at home. The two multiple-choice PDFs include answers with reasoning.

Maths + Quantitative Reasoning

60-minute combined sitting

Selective-style maths, quantitative reasoning, graph/data interpretation and multi-step problem solving.

Download Maths + Quant PDF
📖

Reading + Verbal Reasoning

55-minute combined sitting

Reading comprehension, inference, vocabulary, verbal logic and reasoning questions.

Download Reading + Verbal PDF
✍️

Writing Assessment

40-minute writing task

Persuasive writing prompt with stimulus material, planning page and lined response pages.

Download Writing PDF

Print final week practice tips

Final week plan for parents

Use this as a calm, practical checklist for the final week before the exam.

7–5 days before

  • Complete one timed mixed paper.
  • Review mistakes slowly, not emotionally.
  • Identify the top 3 recurring mistake types.

4–2 days before

  • Do short, sharp revision blocks only.
  • Practise skipping and returning to hard questions.
  • Prepare exam-day items early.

Day before

  • No heavy new learning.
  • Light reading, simple maths warm-up and early sleep.
  • Talk calmly about effort, not outcome.

Exam morning

  • Arrive early and avoid rushing.
  • Remind your child to read carefully and manage time.
  • Keep the message simple: “Do your best question by question.”

Parent confidence section

What to say to your child before the exam

The last few days are not only about academics. A calm parent can help a child walk into the exam with more confidence and less fear.

Try saying this

“You do not need to get every question right. Your job is to stay calm, read carefully and keep moving. If one question feels hard, skip it and come back. We are proud of the effort you have put in.”

Helpful parent reminders

  • Focus on effort and process, not rank or school outcome.
  • Do not compare your child with other students.
  • Remind them that hard questions are expected.
  • Keep sleep, food and routine more important than last-minute cramming.

Parent questions

Quick answers

What is included in the free Set A pack?

The free Set A pack includes three PDFs: Maths + Quantitative Reasoning, Reading + Verbal Reasoning and Writing.

Is this for Year 9 entry?

Yes. This page is designed for Victorian Selective Entry preparation for Year 9 entry.

Is this updated for the 2026 format?

Yes. The sample papers reflect the updated combined sitting structure: Maths + Quantitative Reasoning, Reading + Verbal Reasoning, and Writing.

Is SamplePapers affiliated with ACER or the schools?

No. SamplePapers.com.au is independent and is not affiliated with ACER, the Victorian Department of Education, Melbourne High, Mac.Rob, Nossal, Suzanne Cory or any selective entry school.

Are these official papers?

No. These are independent practice papers created to help students practise exam-style skills at home.