Can we apply after the closing date?

No. The closing date is firm and nobody gets a late entry. Remember that a saved draft has not been sent: you must press submit.

When are the 2028-entry dates?

They had not been published on 19 October 2026. Check the Department's application page. Earlier rounds opened in early November and closed in the third week of February.

What if my child is unwell on the day?

Submit an illness or misadventure request in the application dashboard by the due date. If it is accepted, your child may be given the make-up sitting. A child who misses both the test and the make-up cannot be placed.

No. You get a performance report with one of four bands for each section, not individual scores or placement ranks.

The Department neither recommends nor endorses it, and says no credible research shows coaching helps a child win a place.

Can I appeal the outcome?

Only in limited circumstances, with documents attached, and before the date shown in the dashboard. A re-mark cannot be requested.

Selective test FAQ: the questions NSW parents ask most

Checked 19 October 2026 by XReady

A brass desk bell and blank cards in warm amber light.

In short

Applications are strictly closed on time with no late entries, and each student sits the test on one day only. Results come as four performance bands, not scores. The Department does not recommend coaching, and has not yet published dates for 2028 entry.

Applying

When do applications open? For 2027 entry they ran from Thursday 6 November 2025 to Friday 20 February 2026 (external link). The Department had not published dates for 2028 entry on 19 October 2026. Earlier rounds opened in early November and closed in the third week of February, but that is a pattern, not a promise, so check the Department's page.

Can we apply late? No. The closing date is firm (external link). Send yours in well before the last day, and check that you have pressed submit, because a saved draft has not been sent.

How do we apply? You create a login with your own details (not your child's), confirm your email, fill in the eight sections online (external link), and submit. A photo of your child is uploaded because it appears on the Test Admission Ticket. You can still change your school choices after the test, up to a date the Department sets.

How many schools can we list? Up to three, in order of preference (external link).

The test

When is it? In May of Year 6. Each student attends one test day only, and a make-up day exists for children whose illness or misadventure request is accepted (external link). The format, with minutes for each section, is on the test format page.

What if my child is unwell? Please keep a sick child at home. Submit an illness or misadventure request in the application dashboard by the due date, with supporting evidence. Reasons such as forgetting the date or a holiday are not accepted.

What should we bring? See the test day checklist.

Preparing

Do we need coaching? The Department neither recommends nor endorses it, and warns that too much can harm wellbeing. It asks for regular school attendance and points families to its free practice tests. Preparing without coaching has gentle ideas.

Results and offers

What do we receive? Outcomes appear in your application dashboard, along with a performance report showing where your child sits in one of four bands for each section. Read what the performance report shows before you share it.

How do offers work? On release day only one offer is made (external link): the school highest on your list that your child qualifies for. Your child might also sit on a reserve list for a school higher on your list. A child on a reserve list might receive a later offer, though none is promised. Accept or decline by the response due date or the offer is lost. You may accept first and change your mind later, but a declined offer is gone for good.

Can we see a score or a cut-off? No. The Department publishes no minimum entry scores (external link) because the level needed depends on how many students apply and perform, the places at each school and how many offers are declined.

Can we appeal? In limited circumstances. An appeal must come with supporting documents (external link) and is judged by a panel. It cannot ask for a re-mark, and disappointment or limited preparation are not valid grounds.

If there is no offer? Selective schools are one of several ways the Department supports high potential and gifted students, and every NSW public school offers its own programs. Entry at Years 8 to 11 is also possible through each school.

If you want a gentle start, the free sample papers are Selective practice and cost nothing. The guide to the test is a good first read.

Checked 19 October 2026 against the NSW Department of Education pages above.

Common questions

Can we apply after the closing date?: No. The closing date is firm and nobody gets a late entry. Remember that a saved draft has not been sent: you must press submit.
When are the 2028-entry dates?: They had not been published on 19 October 2026. Check the Department's application page. Earlier rounds opened in early November and closed in the third week of February.
What if my child is unwell on the day?: Submit an illness or misadventure request in the application dashboard by the due date. If it is accepted, your child may be given the make-up sitting. A child who misses both the test and the make-up cannot be placed.
Do we get a score?: No. You get a performance report with one of four bands for each section, not individual scores or placement ranks.
Do we need coaching?: The Department neither recommends nor endorses it, and says no credible research shows coaching helps a child win a place.
Can I appeal the outcome?: Only in limited circumstances, with documents attached, and before the date shown in the dashboard. A re-mark cannot be requested.

Sources, checked 19 October 2026

NSW Department of Education: Application process (external link) NSW Department of Education. Checked 19 October 2026.
NSW Department of Education: Outcomes (external link) NSW Department of Education. Checked 19 October 2026.
NSW Department of Education: Placement test (external link) NSW Department of Education. Checked 19 October 2026.
NSW Department of Education: Selective high school practice tests (external link) NSW Department of Education. Checked 19 October 2026.
NSW Department of Education: Applications to open for 2027 selective school entry (external link) NSW Department of Education. Checked 19 October 2026.
NSW Department of Education: Selective high schools (external link) NSW Department of Education. Checked 19 October 2026.

Not affiliated with ACARA or the NSW Department of Education.