The department has added robust measures to identify student malpractice for the Selective High School Test and the Opportunity Class Placement Test. These new measures are to ensure that no student receives an unfair advantage, or causes disadvantage to other students. ​

Students sitting the test for placement into selective high schools or opportunity classes are required to observe the test rules and guidelines and avoid any irregular conduct that disrupts other students, including anything that can be considered as malpractice. The 'Notice to Candidates', which is displayed outside all test rooms, warns students of the consequences of such actions.

Examples of malpractice include, but are not limited to:

• copying answers from another student during testing
• collaboration or attempted collaboration between students during testing
• using or trying to use unauthorised material during testing such as notes, study guides, mobile phones and electronic devices
• disruptive behaviour or not following the instructions of a test coordinator and/or invigilation staff during testing
• student impersonation (pretending to be someone else)
• any other conduct that provides an unfair advantage.

How malpractice is identified during testing

Malpractice can be identified on the day of the test by:

• the invigilation staff observing a student or students breaching test rules and guidelines, or engaging in irregular conduct
• a student observing another student or students breaching test rules or guidelines, or engaging in irregular conduct and reporting this to invigilation staff.

When malpractice is reported, the invigilation staff will complete an incident report, which will be investigated by a malpractice panel.

How malpractice is identified post-test by statistical analysis

Potential malpractice is also identified through statistical analysis on individual student results, pairs and groups of students in the same test centre venues. The analysis compares, but is not limited to:

• the similarity of response patterns between two or more students
• performance on one test paper in comparison to performance on the other papers.

Investigation and consequence of malpractice

Each potential malpractice case is reviewed by a malpractice panel who consider all available evidence. Where malpractice is confirmed, parents or carers will be informed. In these cases, students will not be offered a placement, and their outcome advice will be withheld. Parents or carers will be advised of an appeal process should they wish to appeal the decision.