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Understand the test5 min read

Selective test key dates: 2027 entry and 2028 entry

The confirmed dates for the 2027-entry Selective cycle, and the dates we expect for 2028 entry. The Department has not yet published the 2028 dates, so check its page before you plan.

Last checked against the official sources.

Dates matter in the Selective process because there is no late round. This page gives the dates in plain words. The table below shows the same dates in a form you can add to your calendar. The Department warns that "there may be changes to dates and activities", so always confirm on its page.

  • Most of the 2027-entry cycle is finished, but the reserve decision date (3 December 2026, 3 pm) is still ahead, and Selective reserve offers can continue to the end of Term 1 2027. Its dates are listed below; the Department lists the outcome dates as expected.
  • 2028 entry is the next cycle. The Department has not published its dates. We expect applications to open in early November 2026 and close in February 2027.
  • There are no late applications. Submit early.

A quick note on naming

A "2027 entry" cycle means the students who sat the test in May 2026 and start Year 7 in 2027. The next cycle is "2028 entry": students in Year 6 in 2027 sit the test in May 2027. If your child is in Year 5 now, 2028 entry is your cycle. See eligibility for birth dates.

2027 entry

These dates come from the Department (checked 7 October 2026). Everything in the list below has passed; the reserve decision date, in the box after it, is still ahead.

  • Applications opened on Thursday 6 November 2025 and closed on Friday 20 February 2026. The year before, they ran from 7 November 2024 to 21 February 2025 (the Department's published dates for the shared OC and Selective application period).
  • Selective test: Friday 1 and Saturday 2 May 2026. Each student sat on one day only.
  • OC test: 8 and 9 May 2026.
  • Make-up test: 22 May 2026.
  • Illness or misadventure request: by the due date in the Department's key dates (usually 5 business days after the test).
  • Last day to change school choices: 5 June 2026.
  • Outcomes: scheduled for Selective on 19 August 2026 and OC on 9 September 2026 (the Department's key dates list these as expected dates).
  • Appeals closed: Selective on 26 August and OC on 16 September, at 11:59 pm.
Key fact

Reserve decision date (still ahead): 3 December 2026, at 3 pm. After it, a child holding an accepted offer is removed from higher-choice reserve lists unless the family declines that offer first. A declined offer cannot be got back, so read the Department's outcomes page before you decide.

2028 entry (expected, not yet published)

The Department has not published the 2028-entry dates. Based on the pattern of earlier years, we expect:

  • Applications to open in early November 2026, probably Thursday 5 November (the first Thursday of November, as in 2024 and 2025).
  • Applications to close around 19 February 2027. Both earlier applications closed on the third Friday of February (21 February 2025 and 20 February 2026), and the Department says applications run from November to February, so we expect Friday 19 February 2027.
  • The Selective test in early May 2027, which is the wording the Department uses in its general timeline. The exact days are not published.
  • Outcomes for Selective in August 2027 and for OC in September 2027.

These are expectations, not promises. The Department's own page will carry the confirmed dates once it publishes them. We update our table and note the change on the change log.

Exam tip

Set a reminder for the first week of November 2026 to check the Department's application page. You can prepare your details and a photo of your child for the Test Admission Ticket before applications open.

Years 8 to 11 is a different calendar

Students who want to join a selective school in Years 8 to 11 apply through the schools, not through this cycle. For 2027 entry, applications ran from 17 June to 24 July 2026, assessments were in August and September, and outcomes are released in September and October 2026 (that window is still open). Reserve lists may close after Term 2. See Years 8 to 11 entry.

How to use these dates

Work backwards from the closing date, not forwards from the opening date. Allow time to register with your own details, verify your email, complete all eight sections and, if you wish, upload a photo (optional, but encouraged). The steps are on how to apply. Then plan for the test month using the test day checklist.

Source: NSW Department of Education, application process and placement test pages, checked 7 October 2026. Confirm on the Department's application page.

Department of Education wording on this page is quoted or adapted briefly under CC BY 4.0. © State of New South Wales (Department of Education), 2023. Licence: CC BY 4.0. ExamExplained has changed and summarised the text and is not endorsed by the Department.

Key dates

Selective test key dates, with the official source for each
WhatWhenStatusSource
Applications opened for 2027 Selective entryConfirmedOfficial page for Applications opened for 2027 Selective entrychecked 7 October 2026
Applications closed for 2027 Selective entry (no late applications)ConfirmedOfficial page for Applications closed for 2027 Selective entry (no late applications)checked 7 October 2026
Selective placement test, 2027 entry (one day per student)ConfirmedOfficial page for Selective placement test, 2027 entry (one day per student)checked 7 October 2026
Selective make-up test, 2027 entryConfirmedOfficial page for Selective make-up test, 2027 entrychecked 7 October 2026
Last day to change school choices, 2027 Selective entryConfirmedOfficial page for Last day to change school choices, 2027 Selective entrychecked 7 October 2026
Years 8 to 11 selective applications opened, 2027 entryConfirmedOfficial page for Years 8 to 11 selective applications opened, 2027 entrychecked 7 October 2026
Years 8 to 11 selective applications closed, 2027 entryConfirmedOfficial page for Years 8 to 11 selective applications closed, 2027 entrychecked 7 October 2026
Selective outcomes due, 2027 entry (the Department's expected date)ConfirmedOfficial page for Selective outcomes due, 2027 entry (the Department's expected date)checked 7 October 2026
Last day to appeal, Selective 2027 entryConfirmedOfficial page for Last day to appeal, Selective 2027 entrychecked 7 October 2026
Years 8 to 11 selective outcomes (September to October), 2027 entryConfirmedOfficial page for Years 8 to 11 selective outcomes (September to October), 2027 entrychecked 7 October 2026
Applications open for 2028 Selective entryOpened 6 Nov 2025 and 7 Nov 2024; the first Thursday of November is expected. The Department has not published 2028-entry dates.Expected, not yet publishedOfficial page for Applications open for 2028 Selective entrychecked 7 October 2026
Reserve decision date, 2027 Selective entryConfirmedOfficial page for Reserve decision date, 2027 Selective entrychecked 7 October 2026
Applications close for 2028 Selective entryClosed 20 Feb 2026 and 21 Feb 2025; the third Friday of February is expected. Not yet published by the Department.Expected, not yet publishedOfficial page for Applications close for 2028 Selective entrychecked 7 October 2026
Selective placement test, 2028 entry (early May expected)The Department's general timeline says early May; 2026 was 1 to 2 May. Exact days not published, so this is a window.Expected, not yet publishedOfficial page for Selective placement test, 2028 entry (early May expected)checked 7 October 2026
Selective outcomes, 2028 entry (August expected)The 2027-entry outcomes were scheduled for 19 Aug 2026 (the Department's expected date). For 2028 entry the Department's general timeline says August; no date is published.Expected, not yet publishedOfficial page for Selective outcomes, 2028 entry (August expected)checked 7 October 2026

Download these dates as a calendar file (.ics)

The calendar file holds only the dates above. If the download does not open on your phone, try it on a computer. Expected dates are marked as expected. Check the official page before you rely on a date.

Frequently asked questions

When do applications open for 2028 entry?
The Department has not published the dates. Applications opened on 6 November 2025 and 7 November 2024, so early November 2026 is expected, with Thursday 5 November a likely day. Treat that as an expectation only and check the Department's application page.
When is the Selective test in 2027?
The Department's general timeline says early May. The exact days for the 2028-entry cycle are not yet published. In 2026 the Selective test ran on 1 and 2 May, with each student sitting on one day only.
Can we apply after the closing date?
No. The Department says closing dates are strictly observed and that no late applications will be accepted. Put the expected closing date in your calendar and aim to submit well before it, because saving an application is not the same as submitting it.
What if my child is sick on test day?
A make-up test is available. For the 2027-entry cycle it was on 22 May 2026. Submit an illness or misadventure request in the application dashboard by the due date in the Department's key dates (usually 5 business days after the test; late requests cannot be accepted), with supporting evidence. If it is approved, your child may sit the make-up test or have their score adjusted. Missing both the main and make-up test means a student cannot be placed.
Do these dates apply to Years 8 to 11 entry?
No. Entry to selective schools in Years 8 to 11 uses a separate, school-run process with its own dates. For 2027 entry it ran from 17 June to 24 July 2026. See our page on Years 8 to 11 entry.

Sources