Essential vs Complete Selective Prep | Test Academy {# ta-* body components (callouts, comparison tables, step lists, stat blocks) are styled in ta-post.css — load it so the rich body slot renders properly. #}

Essential vs Complete Selective Prep

Both bundles use the same exam-realistic question bank — here's how to choose between them on scope, writing marking, analytics and access.

Quick answer

Both Essential and Complete Selective bundles share the same question bank across all four sections. Essential is the focused, entry-level option for early starters and top-ups. Complete adds AI-marked writing, detailed analytics and a longer access window — the better value for most families preparing for this cycle.

  • Same exam-realistic question bank in both bundles
  • Essential: entry-level, focused, budget-friendly
  • Complete: adds AI-marked writing, analytics and a longer access window
  • Essential suits early starters and in-person top-ups
  • Complete suits families wanting full, steady coverage this cycle
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If your child is sitting the Selective test in Year 6 this year, choose Complete. It’s the only tier that includes Writing — one of the four assessed sections — with WritingHub marking, and it gives you the longest access plus the highest AI limits. Choose Essential if you’re starting earlier (Year 5), only need the three multiple-choice sections sharpened, or want a focused, lower-commitment top-up. Both tiers draw on the same exam-accurate question bank built in Parramatta; the difference is scope, access length and whether Writing is unlocked. Here’s the full breakdown.

Free, Essential and Complete — features and limits (no prices; see the product page)
FeatureFreeEssentialComplete
Access periodForever6 months12 months
Reading tests305050
Maths (Mathematical Reasoning) tests305050
Thinking Skills tests305050
Writing stimuli100
Total tests90150200
WritingHub criterion-by-criterion markingYes
Step-by-step explanationsYesYesYes
Testy Coach AI tutor5 / day25 / day
LearningHub targeted practice3 / dayUnlimited
Adaptive weekly scheduleYesYes (refreshes every Monday)
Analytics dashboardYesYes
Weekly plain-English performance summaryYes
Percentile rankings vs the NSW cohortYes
LeaderboardYes

Choose Essential if…

Choose Complete if…

The verdict

For most Year 6 families sitting this year, Complete is the safer call — Writing is an assessed section you can’t afford to skip, and the longer access plus higher limits leave room for a real practice routine. Essential is the smart choice for earlier starters and top-ups who don’t yet need Writing marked. Either way, you can try before you buy with the free trial — 4 free tests, no credit card.

Still deciding?

Compare both tiers in detail on the Selective practice-test product page, or read the individual Essential and Complete pages. If you want a sense of how a full prep plan comes together across the year, how to prepare for the Selective test walks through it — and if you’d rather have teaching alongside the platform, the Selective Mastery class includes both LearningHub and WritingHub access.

Frequently asked questions

What's the main difference between the two bundles?
Scope and depth. Both share the question bank; Complete adds AI-marked writing, detailed analytics and a longer access window than Essential.
Which bundle should I choose?
For most families sitting the test this cycle, Complete is the better value thanks to writing marking and analytics. Early starters or families supplementing in-person classes often do well with Essential.
Can I start with Essential and upgrade?
Yes — many families begin with Essential and move to Complete as the test approaches and they want writing feedback and analytics.

Ready to start your child's preparation?

Over 1,000 NSW families prepare with Test Academy each year for selective, OC and NAPLAN — online and at our Parramatta centre.

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