About 7000 year 11 students will sit a new critical thinking exam this year, which has been developed as universities and employers stress jobs of the future will require more than the traditional subjects taught in the Higher School Certificate.

The optional 90-minute online test includes 60 questions that assess logical reasoning and analytical reasoning skills, and students get a detailed report on how they performed in relation to their peers and the areas they need to improve.

A sample question from the test. (Answer at the end.)

"[The NSW Education Standards Authority] is offering the test to year 11 students to provide them with an opportunity to demonstrate their critical thinking capabilities and receive feedback before starting their HSC year," NESA's chief executive David de Carvalho said.

"The test assesses a student's ability to interpret ideas, identify arguments, detect inconsistencies in reasoning and solve problems, capabilities that are widely considered essential for students at school, university, in the workplace and other life contexts."