Learning Lab / Thinking Skills guidance

Thinking Skills methods for careful, independent practice.

These public articles explain useful ways to approach unfamiliar reasoning questions through original, age-appropriate examples. They are study guidance, not a test or a measure of a student’s progress.

Eight units, one practical purpose

The current Thinking Skills sequence has eight units. Each unit gives a method that can be practised across different topics, rather than a shortcut for one question type.

Unit 1

See the problem

Identify the task, useful clues and answer type.

Read the method

Unit 2

Reasons and conclusions

Check whether evidence really supports a claim.

Read the method

Unit 3

Conditional reasoning

Follow rules forwards and test what they do not guarantee.

Read the method

Unit 4

Assumptions and counterexamples

Notice a missing link and test a claim with a possible exception.

Explained in the authenticated learning area

Unit 5

Ordered search

List valid possibilities in a deliberate order.

Read the method

Unit 6

Quantity and models

Turn a word problem into a visible relationship.

Read the method

Unit 7

Space and structure

Track turns, reflections and relationships between features.

Read the method

Unit 8

Independent transfer

Choose a useful method when the setting changes.

Read the method

Public guidance, not the whole Learning Lab course

This Thinking Skills page is one public guidance area within the wider Learning Lab. The Lab also outlines Maths and Reading. This page and its linked guides do not show private questions, answers, session activity, progress or mastery information.

The separate learning area requires a student sign-in and checks whether a learning path is available to that student. Working through a method, completing a guided exercise and using it independently are different kinds of evidence.

Choose a next step

For original timed practice, compare NSW Selective practice tests and Opportunity Class practice tests. A family can also choose one complete free practice test.