The Selective School Test Guide
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What is the Selective School test?
The Selective High School Placement Test is a computer-based test that has 4 sections. Students sit the placement test in an external test centre where computers are provided. All questions (multiple-choice and the writing question) are answered using the computer.
What is the test used for?
The NSW Selective High School Placement Test is used to identify students with high academic potential. Students who score well in the test are offered a position in a selective high school that will provide an educationally enriched environment.
Over 15,000 applications are made for just over 4000 selective places.
What is a selective school?
Some government high schools in NSW are academically selective, designed to group students with higher academic potential together. This ranges from:
Fully selective: All students have gained entry by selection from the selective test
Partially selective: A portion of students in each grade gain selective entry. The selective students in these schools take classes together.
Should I go to a selective school?
In our opinion, if possible - yes! Selective schools provide a much more academically competitive environment which typically nurtures higher average ATARs (scores for university entry).
However there are a number of factors to consider:
Distance - Your closest selective school may be further away than your local high school. Your most preferred selective school may be over 1 hour travel each way.
Diversity - The selective school may not offer the subjects or extra-curricular programs your child likes.
Examples of this include:
James Ruse Agriculture High School - agriculture is a compulsory subject.
Sydney Boys High School - Operates in a private school system (AAGPS) so Saturday sport is compulsory.
Ryde Secondary College - Partially selective
Environment - Your child may not flourish in a high pressure competitive environment, instead preferring learning at their own pace.
Important: Attending a selective school does not guarantee a higher ATAR than attending a non-selective school.
What are the alternatives?
Independent private schools are alternatives to selective schools but come at a significant cost (up to $50,000 per year). Also, a number of private schools are religious so studies of religion will be compulsory and religious activities will take place.
Some private schools are also academically selective, such as Sydney Grammar, however these schools will use a different selection process. It is best to contact the schools directly to gain an accurate understanding of their entrance criteria.
What is in the test?
Reading Test
Number of Questions: 16 (2 questions have multiple parts)
Time: 40 minutes
Test Type: Multiple-choice
Weighting: 25%
The Reading Test questions assess various reading skills through a diverse range of texts.
The texts include different genres such as:
non-fiction
fiction
poetry
magazine articles
reports
Mathematical Reasoning Test
Number of Questions: 35
Time: 40 minutes
Test Type: Multiple-choice
Weighting: 25%
The Mathematical Reasoning Test assesses the student's ability to use mathematical understanding and knowledge to solve problems from a range of math topics.
Thinking Skills Test
Number of Questions: 40
Time: 40 minutes
Test Type: Multiple-choice
Weighting: 25% (was 35%)
The Thinking Skills Test evaluates the student's critical thinking and problem-solving abilities through various question types.
Writing Test
Number of Questions: 1
Time: 30 minutes
Test Type: Open response
Weighting: 25% (was 15%)
This test assesses the creativity of the student’s ideas and their ability to write effectively for a purpose and audience. The test will also assess grammar, punctuation, spelling and vocabulary.
The student’s writing must address the given topic, otherwise it will be marked lower, regardless of their fluency or creativity.
What should I bring to the test?
Two 2B pencils
Eraser
Pencil sharpener
A printed copy of the Test Admission Ticket
A clear bottle of water
To wear their school uniform – please bring a hat for any breaks and a jumper if the weather is cool.
Key Dates
Selecting your school choices
You can choose between 1 and 3 selective high schools in your application:
First choice: The school you want the most
Second choice: Your next preferred school (optional)
Third choice: Your next choice (optional).
Only choose schools you genuinely would like your child to attend. This may be less than the maximum number of choices allowed.
The order of your school choices is important because you cannot decline a placement offer to get a later offer from one of your lower-choice schools.
If you decline an offer from one of your lower-choice schools and you are on a reserve list for a higher-choice school(s), there is no guarantee that you will get a later offer from a reserve list.
Example – choosing selective high schools
An applicant for selective high schools lists 3 schools in the following order:
First choice: James Ruse Agricultural High School
Second choice: North Sydney Girls High School
Third choice: Blacktown Girls High School.
Scenario A
If the student met the test performance levels* needed for all 3 schools, then they would receive an offer only for their first choice, James Ruse Agricultural High School. If they decline this offer they cannot get an offer from any of their lower choice schools.
Scenario B
If the student met the test performance levels* needed for both North Sydney Girls High School and Blacktown Girls High School, then they would get an offer for their higher choice school only – North Sydney Girls High School.
Scenario C
If the student met the test performance levels* needed for only Blacktown Girls High School, they would be offered a place at that school.
* Remember that the level of test performance needed to get an offer at every school is different. This is because it is based on the number of student candidates, their test performance and the number of places available at the school.
Selective High School Placement Practice Tests
A computer based test from NSW Education
Disclaimer: Information contained within this article is taken from the NSW education website as well as based off our experience. While we do our best to ensure all content is up to date and as factual as possible, NSW education may change dates or processes from time to time.
Source: https://education.nsw.gov.au/schooling/parents-and-carers/choosing-a-school-setting/selective-high-schools
