Should we apply for the Selective test? A calm guide for parents
A decision guide for parents of Year 5 and Year 6 children: what Selective involves, distance and travel, partially and fully selective schools, boarding, comparing with your local school, readiness and wellbeing.
Last checked against the official sources.
Applying is a reasonable choice if your child is eligible, you would be happy with a selective school if offered a place, and the test will not cause distress. Not applying is equally fine. The Department says there is no pass or fail mark, so agree as a family how you will respond to either result. Weigh the travel, the school itself and your local alternative. There is no right answer, and no pressure from us.
What Selective involves
The Selective test is for entry to Year 7. Parents apply at the end of Year 5 or the start of Year 6, and the child sits the test in Year 6. It is a computer-based test with four sections: reading, mathematical reasoning, thinking skills and a typed writing task, on a day of about four and a half hours, including check-in and breaks (the Department's example timetable runs from 9:30 am to 1:55 pm), at a local test centre. See the Selective test format.
Eligibility depends on your child's school Year and date of birth, and on living in NSW by the start of the entry year. Families who are not Australian citizens or permanent residents (or New Zealand citizens) must also meet citizenship or visa conditions before an offer; if you expect to meet them before initial offers, you may still apply and your child can sit the test. Students outside the usual age or Year range go to the selection committee. Check eligibility first. You apply online, choosing 1 to 3 selective schools in preference order. No late applications are accepted. See how to apply.
Questions to ask yourself
Would we want the school if offered?
If the offer arrives, you have a decision to make about a particular school. Look at the list of selective schools and think about:
- Distance and travel. How long is the trip each way, and by what means? A long daily commute affects sleep, sport, friendships and family time. The Department notes that a lengthy travel time can limit before and after school classes and activities, and that excessive travel can affect academic performance and wellbeing.
- Partially or fully selective. The Department lists 17 fully selective and 27 partially selective schools (26 of the 27 have Year 7 places). How each type admits students is explained on its school pages, so find out which kind you are looking at.
- Boarding. Three agricultural high schools offer boarding places (Yanco offers boarding places only). It is a major family decision.
- Aurora College. An online selective option with 90 places for Year 7 entry. It is only for students who will be enrolled at an Aurora College host high school in a rural or remote location.
How does it compare with our local school?
Visit or talk to the local high school. Ask what it offers for students who want more challenge. Staying local is a good choice and not a lesser one. You are comparing two real options, not a good one and a bad one.
Is our child ready?
Readiness is partly academic and partly personal. A child who is curious, reads widely and is coping well with school is likely to be fine. A child who is already anxious about school or tests may find the build-up harder than the result is worth. You know your child best.
What does the Department say?
On wellbeing, the Department asks parents to think about if and how they share results with children. On coaching, it says: "The department does not recommend or endorse coaching for the placement test." (NSW Department of Education, checked 7 October 2026.) It recommends regular school attendance and familiarity with the test structure. See preparing without coaching.
Being realistic
The Department says about a quarter of Selective candidates gain a place (NSW Department of Education, checked 7 October 2026). It publishes no minimum score and says there is no pass or fail mark. Siblings are not guaranteed a place, and each must qualify on merit. Think through your plan if there is no offer. See what if we miss out.
A quick checklist
- Is my child in the right year, and within the birth date range?
- Would we be happy to travel to the schools I would list?
- Would we be happy with the local school if there is no offer?
- Is my child comfortable with the idea of the test?
- Have we agreed what we will say after the result, whatever it is?
If most answers are yes, applying is a reasonable step. If not, that is also a perfectly good decision.
ExamExplained is not affiliated with the Department and is run alongside a tutoring business. We are not trying to influence how you decide.
Sources
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.
Frequently asked questions
Is there any cost to apply?
Can we apply and still decide later not to go?
What is the difference between partially and fully selective schools?
Does my child have to board?
Should we apply just to see what happens?
Sources
- education.nsw.gov.au/schooling/parents-and-carers/choosing-a-school-setting/selective-high-schools/choosing-a-school (opens in a new tab)
- education.nsw.gov.au/schooling/parents-and-carers/choosing-a-school-setting/selective-high-schools/choosing-a-school/selective-high-schools (opens in a new tab)
- education.nsw.gov.au/schooling/parents-and-carers/choosing-a-school-setting/selective-high-schools/application-process (opens in a new tab)
- education.nsw.gov.au/schooling/parents-and-carers/choosing-a-school-setting/selective-high-schools/placement-test (opens in a new tab)
- education.nsw.gov.au/schooling/parents-and-carers/choosing-a-school-setting/selective-high-schools/placement-test/selective-high-school-practice-tests (opens in a new tab)