NSW Years 4 and 6 · Victoria Year 8NSW and VictoriaSelective school tests: NSW and Victoria
Some government schools in Australia choose students by test. In NSW, Year 6 students can take the Selective High School Placement Test for a place from Year 7, and Year 4 students a test for opportunity classes. In Victoria, Year 8 students can take an exam for one of four selective entry high schools. All of these tests are optional.
Compare the tests
Each state runs its own process. Other states have smaller selective programs; check your state education department.
| Test | Year | What is tested | Places |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW Selective High School Placement Test | Year 6, for Year 7 | Reading, mathematical reasoning, thinking skills and a typed writing task, each worth a quarter | Around 4,300 places in fully and partially selective and agricultural high schools |
| NSW Opportunity Class Placement Test | Year 4, for Year 5 | Reading, mathematical reasoning and thinking skills | Around 1,800 places in classes at government primary schools |
| Victorian Selective Entry High School exam | Year 8, for Year 9 | Reading and verbal reasoning, mathematics and quantitative reasoning, and writing | Around 1,000 places across Melbourne High, Mac.Robertson Girls', Nossal and Suzanne Cory |
From the 2027 intake, NSW selective schools and opportunity classes offer equal numbers of places to girls and boys. Places are still decided by test performance.
Dates for the next round
State authorities publish separate application and testing timetables. Confirm the next entry round directly; no day-level dates are confirmed here.
NSW applications open
One online application for selective schools and opportunity classes.
NSW applications close
Check the published closing date and late-application rules with NSW Education.
Victoria applications
Check ACER for the current application window.
NSW tests
Selective test for Year 6, opportunity class test for Year 4. Each child sits on one allocated day.
Victoria exam
Check ACER for the current examination date.
Outcomes
NSW selective outcomes and Victorian first-round offers.
What is in the tests?
Reading
- Understanding different kinds of texts
- Inference and the writer's purpose
Mathematical reasoning
- Problem solving with number, measurement and data
- Several steps in one question
Thinking skills
- Logic and problem solving
- Judging arguments and conclusions
Writing
- One task in 30 minutes, typed, in NSW. Victoria's exam has its own writing section.
How are offers made?
In NSW, a placement score is calculated from the test. Students are then placed in order of score and school preference.
Placement score
From the four parts of the test
Your school choices
Up to three selective schools, in order
Offer or reserve list
Your child gets an offer from one of your choices, or a place on a reserve list. Reserve list offers are made as places become free.
No offer
Your child goes to the local high school. In Victoria, students who miss out can stay at their current school.
More test guides
Sources
- NSW Department of Education: selective high schools and opportunity classes (opens in a new tab)
- ACER: Victorian Selective Entry High Schools (opens in a new tab)
Updated on 12 October 2026. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.