1 May 2026 · 6 min read
The HAST exam is the gateway to South Australia's most competitive selective government high schools. Here is what it tests, how it is scored, and the preparation strategy that gives students the best chance of entry.
HAST stands for the Humanities and Social Sciences, Aptitude, Science and Technology Test. It is an aptitude test used for Year 10 selective school entry in South Australia — including Glenunga International High School, Adelaide High School, and Botanic High School. Unlike school tests, the HAST does not assess curriculum knowledge directly. It assesses reasoning ability: how well you think, not what you already know. This distinction matters for preparation — memorising facts is far less useful than drilling specific reasoning skills.
The HAST covers four assessed areas:
Abstract reasoning is typically the section students find most unfamiliar — there is nothing like it in regular school assessments. Sets of shapes follow a rule, and you must identify the pattern and apply it to a new case. The key insight: abstract reasoning follows a finite number of pattern types. Students who have been drilled on pattern families (number, position, size, colour, shape, rotation) consistently outperform students who try to 'work out' each pattern from scratch. Drilled pattern recognition is faster and more reliable than general intelligence.
The written expression task is timed — typically 25 to 30 minutes for a persuasive or narrative response. Most students underperform this section not because they cannot write, but because they do not plan under time pressure. A strong response starts with 3 to 5 minutes of planning: thesis, three supporting points, and a conclusion structure. Students who begin writing immediately without planning typically produce unstructured responses that score lower, even when individual sentences are well-written.
The HAST exam is typically held in Term 3 of Year 9, with applications opening in Term 2. We recommend starting preparation at the beginning of Year 9 at the latest — and ideally in the second half of Year 8. Abstract reasoning in particular benefits from extended practice: pattern recognition speed improves gradually over weeks and months, not in a few intensive sessions. Students who start four to six months before the exam consistently outperform students who start six to eight weeks before.
Many parents and students believe aptitude tests cannot be prepared for — that they measure innate ability. This is incorrect. While raw general intelligence cannot be significantly changed in the short term, test performance absolutely can be. Familiarity with question formats, knowledge of pattern types, time management under pressure, and written expression technique are all trainable. The difference between a prepared and unprepared student on the HAST is substantial and consistent.
Want help applying these strategies to your own study? Book a free consultation with the Titanium Tutoring team.