NSW Selective Writing Marking Criteria & Typing Tips
- Vivo Education
- Selective Tests
- 07 Apr, 2026
The Scoring Edge – How to Win the Marking Game
In our first two posts, we covered the S.T.A.R.T. Planning Method and the 11 Essential Text Types your child needs to know. You have the plan, and you have the tools. Now, it’s time to look at the scoreboard.
How do examiners actually decide who gets a top mark? And how does the shift to a computer-based test change the "feel" of the writing?
At Vivo Education, we’ve analyzed the criteria to help your child focus on what really matters when the timer is ticking.
The 4 Pillars of a High Score
Examiners don't just look for "good stories." They mark every response against four specific categories. Here is how to understand them in simple terms:
- Ideas & Content: This is the "Brain" of the piece. Does the writing actually respond to the stimulus? Is the idea original, or is it a cliché? Depth is better than breadth—focus on one great idea rather than five small ones.
- Structure & Organisation: This is the "Skeleton." Is there a clear beginning, middle, and end? Are the paragraphs connected with "bridge words"? Does it look like the text type requested (e.g., does a News Report look like a News Report)?
- Language & Vocabulary: This is the "Style." Is the word choice precise? Are there different types of sentences (short for impact, long for detail)?
- Grammar & Conventions: This is the "Foundation." Are the spelling, punctuation, and tenses correct?
Beware the "Vocabulary Trap"
Many students think that using "big words" automatically equals a high score. At Vivo Education, we call this the Vocabulary Trap.
Using a complex word incorrectly is much worse than using a simple word correctly. Examiners can tell when a student is "forcing" a word they don't fully understand.
The Vivo Rule: If you aren't 100% sure how to spell it or exactly what it means, don't use it. Clear, powerful writing beats "fancy" writing every single time.
The "Magic Number": 30–35 WPM
Since the NSW Selective Test is now computer-based, typing speed is the new "handwriting." If a student types too slowly, they won't finish their "Big 3" arguments. If they type too fast, they make "typo" errors that they can't fix without spell-check.
- The Goal: 30–35 Words Per Minute (WPM).
- The Accuracy Target: 95% or higher.
- The Reality: There is no autocorrect in the test. If you misspell "because" as "becuase," the computer won't fix it for you.
Vivo Tip: Practice on a standard keyboard, not just a tablet or a laptop. The "feel" of the keys matters on test day!
The "Vivo Final Five"
High-scoring students never write until the very last second. They always leave the final 5 minutes for a "Final Five" check:
- Check the Prompt: Did I actually answer the question or respond to the image?
- Check the Tense: Did I accidentally switch from "I walked" to "I am walking"?
- Check the "Bridges": Do my paragraphs flow together nicely?
- Check the "Hooks": Is my opening exciting and my ending satisfying?
- Check the Typos: Since there's no spell-check, look for double spaces or common spelling slips.
Final Thoughts: Building Writing Confidence
The Selective Writing Test isn't just about being a "born writer." It’s about preparation, discipline, and having a system like the Vivo S.T.A.R.T. method.
By following this 3-part series, your child now has a roadmap from the first 5 minutes of planning to the final 5 minutes of checking.
Vivo Practice Challenge: Have your child take a full 30-minute practice test on a computer. Once they finish, use the "4 Pillars" above to give them a "Vivo Score." What is one thing they can improve for next time?
Thank you for following our Mastering Selective Writing series! For more expert tips and practice samples, explore the rest of the Vivo Education blog or contact us for personalized coaching.
