NSW Selective test dates 2027: applications, test window and timeline
The NSW Selective High School Placement Test for 2028 Year 7 entry sits in early May 2027, with online applications opening in early November 2026 and closing in late February 2027. Students sit the test while in Year 6, and parents apply at the end of Year 5 or the start of Year 6.
If you are seeing older guides online saying the Selective test is in March, that information is out of date. The NSW Department of Education has moved the test to May, and it is now computer-based.
Here is the complete schedule, what happens at each stage of the application, and the key deadlines every parent needs to know.
Key Dates for the 2027 Selective Test Cycle
The application portal opens in November. The department has not yet published the 2027 schedule, so the dates below are based on the pattern of recent years:
| Milestone | Expected Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Applications Open | Early November 2026 | Submit your application via the NSW Department of Education parent portal. |
| Applications Close | Late February 2027 | Strict. The department states no late applications will be accepted. |
| Test Admission Ticket | Before the test | Tells you your child’s test centre and time. Your child must bring a printed copy. |
| Selective High School Test | Early May 2027 | Sat on a computer at an allocated test centre. The exact 2027 days and session arrangements are confirmed when the department publishes the schedule. |
| Illness / Misadventure | About a week after the test | If a medical issue or unexpected incident affected the test. For 2027 entry the deadline was 8 May 2026, six days after the test. |
| Placement Outcomes | Mid August 2027 | Outcomes (Offer, Reserve, or No Offer) sent via the parent portal. |
| Appeals Close | Late August 2027 | About a week after outcomes. For 2027 entry, 7 days (19 to 26 August 2026). |
| Year 7 Entry | Term 1, 2028 | Successful students start Year 7 at their selective high school. |
The Four Papers of the Selective Test
The test has four distinct papers. Three are multiple-choice sat on a computer, and one is written:
- Reading (17 questions, 45 minutes): Three of the questions have several parts, so it is 38 answers in all. Comprehension, poetic devices, narrative analysis, and persuasive techniques across diverse text extracts.
- Mathematical Reasoning (35 questions, 40 minutes): Advanced problem solving, algebra, geometry, rates, and multi-step word questions.
- Thinking Skills (40 questions, 40 minutes): Deductive reasoning, evaluating arguments, identifying logical flaws, and spatial puzzles. This paper is not based on the school syllabus and is often where students lose the most time.
- Writing (1 task, 30 minutes): A stimulus-based creative or persuasive writing task, typed on the computer.
School Preferences: How the System Works
You can choose up to three selective high schools in order of your preference (First, Second, and Third):
- Preference order matters: The Department considers your preferences sequentially. If your child qualifies for both your first and second choices, they will only receive an offer for the first choice.
- Realistic selection: A strong strategy combines an aspirational top preference (e.g. James Ruse, Baulkham Hills, or North Sydney Boys/Girls) with realistic second and third choices based on your child’s diagnostic performance and travel radius.
- Changing preferences: You can change your school choices after applying, up to a deadline in the key dates — for 2027 entry it was 5 June 2026, after the test. After that, changes need extenuating circumstances.
The Shift to Computer-Based Testing
With the move to digital exams, students face challenges that paper-only practice does not prepare them for:
- Timer pressure: Each paper is timed on screen, which can unsettle a student who has only ever practised on paper.
- Reading on screens: Reading long passages and scrolling between question prompts and text requires different eye stamina than holding a paper booklet.
- Digital scratchpads: Calculations must be done on rough paper while keeping track of on-screen question numbers.
Practising on a computer or tablet regularly helps children get comfortable with this workflow long before exam day.
Action Plan for Year 5 and 6 Parents
- Submit the application in November: Do not leave it until the final week of February when portal traffic peaks.
- Start with a diagnostic assessment: Establish a realistic baseline across Reading, Maths, and Thinking Skills to identify specific blind spots rather than guessing.
- Focus on Thinking Skills: Because logic and deduction are not taught systematically in the primary school syllabus, this section rewards consistent, targeted practice more than any other.
- Build digital stamina: Ensure your child practises reading longer comprehension passages on a screen with timed pacing.
Dates on this page reflect the published NSW Department of Education testing pattern. The department confirms exact calendar dates at the start of the application window. Always verify current details on education.nsw.gov.au before making decisions.