NSW Selective Test 2026: Key Dates, Registration & Application Guide

The 2026 NSW Selective High School Placement Test (Year 7 entry in 2027) runs 1–2 May 2026. Applications opened 6 November 2025 and close 20 February 2026 with no late entries. Register through the NSW Department of Education portal.

Key Dates for the 2026 Selective Test

If your child is in Year 6 in 2026, this is the application cycle that matters. Roughly 17,000 students apply each year for about 4,248 places across 47 selective and partially selective schools. Missing a deadline removes your child's chance to sit the test, regardless of ability.

For preparation context after you apply, see our selective school preparation hub, test format guide, and preparation strategies.

2026 Selective Test — Official Timeline

1. Applications Open

   6 November 2025

   • Online application portal opens

   Create a parent/carer account · Begin the eight application sections

2. Applications Close

   20 February 2026

   • Final deadline — no late applications
   • Last day to request reasonable adjustments

   Submit the completed application · Lodge any adjustment requests with documentation

3. Last Day to Update Details

   13 March 2026

   • Final chance to correct application information

   Update current school, photo, or contact details in the dashboard

4. Test Admission Tickets

   17 April 2026 (expected)

   • Tickets released via the application dashboard

   Confirm test centre and allocated test day · Plan transport in advance

5. Placement Test

   1–2 May 2026

   • Students sit the test on one allocated day only

   Attend the assigned test centre in NSW · Bring required identification

6. Make-Up Test

   22 May 2026

   • For approved illness or misadventure only

   Submit illness or misadventure request by 8 May 2026 · Provide supporting evidence

7. Last Day to Change School Choices

   5 June 2026

   • Final opportunity to update ranked preferences

   Log in to the application dashboard · Reorder up to three school preferences

8. Placement Outcomes

   Late August 2026 (expected)

   • Offers, waiting lists, or unsuccessful outcomes released

   Check email and the application dashboard · Accept or decline offers within the stated timeframe

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How to Register and Apply

Prepare for the 2026 Selective Test

Structured courses covering Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, Thinking Skills, and Writing for the computer-based placement test.

Explore Braintree Coaching Australia courses

The application is completed entirely online through the NSW Department of Education portal. Parents register with their own details, not the child's.

Five-Step Application Process

1. 1.Register your account

   Create a parent or carer account on the placement portal. Use an email address you check regularly — all correspondence comes through email.

2. 2.Verify your email

   Click the verification link sent to your inbox. Check spam if it does not arrive within a few minutes.

3. 3.Log in and complete eight sections

   Enter your child's personal details, school information, photo, and up to three ranked school preferences. You can save and return, but saving does not submit the application.

4. 4.Request reasonable adjustments if needed

   Students with disability or medical conditions can request practical adjustments. Supporting documentation is required. The deadline is 20 February 2026 — the same as the application close date.

5. 5.Submit and confirm receipt

   Review every section, then click Submit. You should receive a confirmation email and dashboard message. Aim to submit at least one week before the deadline to avoid last-minute portal issues.

The test is computer-based (Cambridge Assessment), with four equally weighted components over about 155 minutes. For component-by-component detail, see our NSW selective test format guide. For a structured prep plan, see preparation strategies, the Selective Ultimate Pack, and our sample reasoning paper.

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Documents, Preferences, and Eligibility

Who can apply

Parents can apply if their child is in a NSW public school, non-government school, home study, an interstate school, or an overseas school — provided they meet citizenship or visa requirements and will be living in NSW from the start of the entry year. Your child must be in Year 6 in 2026 for Year 7 entry in 2027.

Documents to gather before you start

Application Checklist

• Birth certificate or passport (legal name and date of birth)

• Proof of Australian citizenship, permanent residency, or eligible visa

• Current school name and Student Registration Number

• Recent passport-style photo of your child

• Up to three selective schools ranked in preference order

• Specialist reports if requesting reasonable adjustments or special provisions

School preferences

You can list up to three selective or partially selective schools in ranked order. The placement algorithm uses both your child's score and your preference rankings — first preference matters most, but you can change choices after submitting until 5 June 2026.

Be realistic about cutoffs (which are not published in advance), consider daily travel time, and use all three preference slots. Partially selective schools often have lower cutoffs and suit second or third preferences well.

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After the Test

Once your child sits the test on their allocated day (1 or 2 May 2026), outcomes are expected in late August 2026. You will receive one of three results: an offer at a preferred school, a waiting list placement, or unsuccessful for all three listed preferences.

If you receive an offer, accept or decline within the stated timeframe — non-response is treated as a decline. Waiting list movement can continue through the acceptance period and sometimes into Term 1 of Year 7.

While you wait for results, use the preparation window to build computer-based test familiarity. A free mock test shows how your child handles timed Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, Thinking Skills, and Writing under test conditions.

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FAQ

When is the NSW Selective Test in 2026?

The placement test is scheduled for 1–2 May 2026. Each student is allocated one test day only. A make-up test is held on 22 May 2026 for approved illness or misadventure cases.

When do applications open and close?

Applications opened on 6 November 2025 and close on 20 February 2026. This is also the last day to request reasonable adjustments. No late applications are accepted.

How many schools can I list as preferences?

You can rank up to three selective or partially selective high schools. You may update your choices after submitting, until 5 June 2026.

Is there a fee to sit the selective test?

No. Registration and sitting the NSW Selective High School Placement Test is free through the NSW Department of Education.

Can interstate or overseas students apply?

Yes, but from 2026 the test is only held in NSW. Students outside NSW must travel to an allocated test centre in NSW. Families must be living in NSW by the beginning of the school year of entry.

What typing speed does my child need?

The Department recommends 30–35 words per minute for the computer-based Writing component. Slow typing reduces time available for planning and editing.

Register early, then benchmark readiness

Submit your application before 20 February 2026, then use a free mock test to see how your Year 6 student handles the four computer-based components.

Try a free selective mock testView selective courses