| Feature | Test Academy | OzTests |
|---|---|---|
| Core offering | Adaptive platform + exam-realistic testing + AI tutor | Online practice-test packs with solutions |
| Exam focus | Selective and OC, all sections including writing | Selective, OC, NAPLAN, scholarship test packs |
| Marking & feedback | Instant marking; criterion-by-criterion writing feedback | Instant marking with category-wise reports |
| Adaptive practice | LearningHub adapts to each child's gaps | Fixed full-length papers and topic tests |
| AI tutor | Testy Coach answers questions step by step | Worked solutions and explanations |
| Progress data | Analytics with percentile ranking and timing | Category-wise reports on strengths and weaknesses |
OzTests and Test Academy both take practice seriously, so the honest deciding question isn’t whether the papers are realistic — both are — but what happens around the practice: how a child is marked, whether the work adapts to their weaknesses, and how writing is handled. That’s where the two diverge.
What OzTests does well
A genuinely large, exam-realistic test library. OzTests delivers online practice tests for the selective test, OC, NAPLAN and scholarship exams, built to mirror the official on-screen format — matched question counts, time limits, and the ability to skip and revisit within the clock. Tests are marked instantly, every question comes with thorough worked solutions and clear explanations, and a category-wise report flags weaker areas. There are also free tests to try before you commit. For families who mainly want a deep bank of quality papers to drill, that is a real strength, and we rate it accordingly.
Where Test Academy is built differently
Test Academy starts from the same exam-realistic practice tests, but wraps them in a platform rather than leaving practice static. The difference shows in three places.
First, adaptive practice. Instead of only fixed full-length papers, our LearningHub adapts to each child — surfacing more of what they get wrong so practice keeps targeting the actual gaps rather than repeating what they already know.
Second, an AI tutor. When a child is stuck, Testy Coach explains the question step by step on demand, rather than leaving them to read a worked solution alone. In our assessment that gap — between “here’s the answer” and “here’s how to think about it, right now” — is what most accelerates progress.
Third, and most clearly, writing. OzTests includes writing tasks in its packs, but from what we can see it doesn’t mark them automatically. Test Academy’s WritingHub marks writing criterion-by-criterion — structure, ideas, language and mechanics — so every piece gets specific, consistent feedback. It’s the kind of writing feedback we think matters most for the selective writing test, where vague advice doesn’t move the needle.
Progress data
Both give feedback, but at different depth. OzTests provides category-wise reports on strengths and weaknesses. Test Academy’s analytics add percentile ranking against other students and time-efficiency data — not just whether an answer was right, but whether your child is pacing themselves to finish, which is decisive on a timed exam.
Our assessment
If you want a strong library of realistic practice papers with solid solutions, OzTests is a reputable choice and we’d happily point families to it for that. If you want the practice to adapt, an AI tutor on hand, and writing marked criterion-by-criterion — feedback and a path to improvement, not just tests — it is our view that Test Academy is the stronger fit. You can see how that fits together in the Selective Mastery program, and weigh it against our take on whether selective tutoring is worth it.
This is an independent comparison. Other names are trademarks of their respective owners.