Test Academy Reviews

Selective course · review

Selective Mastery Holiday Class Review: Test Academy's Multi-Day Intensive

An independent review of Test Academy's Selective Mastery Holiday Class — a multi-day intensive covering all four selective sections, designed to complement the weekly Mastery program.

5.0 / 5

A well-structured holiday intensive that consolidates the weekly Mastery program rather than competing with it.

Course at a glance

Year levels
Year 5–6
Prepares for
Selective test
Delivery
In-Person
Best for
Year 5–6 students already in a weekly routine who want to deepen all four selective sections over the holidays.

The Selective Mastery Holiday Class is the holiday companion to Test Academy’s flagship Selective Mastery Class. Where the weekly program spreads preparation across a term, this one compresses a deep run at all four selective sections into a focused multi-day block.

What you actually get

Over consecutive days, students work through Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, Thinking Skills and Writing in depth — not a skim, but a proper consolidation. It runs on the same engine that makes the weekly Mastery program work: exam-realistic mock tests on the platform, instant marking with worked solutions, and criterion-by-criterion writing feedback turned around fast. Classes stay small, so even at the quicker holiday tempo the teaching is targeted.

The depth is what separates this from a lighter holiday option. It’s less about a quick confidence hit and more about properly reinforcing the reasoning and writing skills that take time to embed. A child finishes the block with the same patterns of practice they’d get during term, just concentrated.

Where it stands out

  • It dovetails with the weekly class. The method, the platform and the feedback are continuous, so a child isn’t switching approaches — they’re deepening one.
  • Writing gets real attention. With Writing weighted the same as every other section now, having fast, specific feedback over an intensive block is genuinely valuable.
  • It keeps momentum. Holidays are where preparation often stalls; this keeps the routine intact without making it feel like more school.

Who should think twice

If your child isn’t already in a weekly routine, this intensive is the wrong entry point — it’s built to consolidate the Selective Mastery Class, not to introduce the material from scratch. A first-timer is better starting with structured weekly teaching, or with a lighter holiday crash course, before layering on a full Mastery intensive.

Our verdict

For a Year 5–6 student already in the weekly Mastery program, the Selective Mastery Holiday Class is a natural extension — a structured, deep holiday block that consolidates rather than competes. It’s one of the better uses of holiday time we’ve reviewed, precisely because it doesn’t try to be a shortcut.

Standout strengths

  • Multi-day coverage of all four selective sections in depth
  • Built to complement the weekly Selective Mastery Class
  • Same exam-realistic platform, instant marking and writing feedback
  • Small classes that keep teaching targeted even at pace
  • A structured way to use holiday time without losing momentum

See the Selective Mastery Holiday Class on Test Academy ↗ Read parent reviews

Frequently asked questions

How is this different from the Selective Holiday Crash Course?

The Mastery Holiday Class is a more structured, multi-day intensive built around the Selective Mastery method and its platform. The crash course is a shorter, sharper burst. The Mastery version goes deeper and dovetails with weekly Mastery teaching.

Should my child do this instead of the weekly class?

No — it's designed to complement the weekly Selective Mastery Class, not replace it. It consolidates and extends what's taught during term over a focused holiday block.

Is a holiday intensive necessary?

Not at all. There's no requirement to be coached over the holidays, and many children prepare well without it. It's a useful consolidation step for families who want to keep momentum, not an obligation.