Abstract reasoning built in
Pattern and sequence questions are a first-class section, not an afterthought bolted onto a maths app.
Years 6–7 · Scholarship & selective entry
HAST practice
The Higher Ability Selection Test is used by many independent schools for scholarship and selective entry. It leans harder on abstract reasoning than the NSW state tests, which catches out students who have only prepared for Selective.
Start practising freeWhat’s on the test
| Section | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | Close reading and inference under time pressure. |
| Mathematical Reasoning | Problem solving at above-year-level difficulty. |
| Abstract Reasoning | Pattern, sequence and figural reasoning with no curriculum grounding. |
How Cognora prepares your child
Above-level difficulty
HAST questions sit above year level by design, and the difficulty bands reflect that.
Know the format early
Familiarity with question types is worth a surprising number of marks.
Common questions
Is HAST the same as the Selective test?
No. Different administering body, different sections — most notably abstract reasoning, which the NSW Selective test does not include.
Which schools use HAST?
Many independent schools use it for scholarship and entry assessment. Check directly with the schools you are applying to.