The outcome of Writing test results enquiries was released on 19 September 2023.

Results enquiries and appeals: understanding the difference

Results enquiries and appeals are 2 different processes. Understanding what each process involves can help you make the right choice.

Results enquiry – a brief explanation

A results enquiry is a parent’s request to have their child’s Writing test re-marked. It applies only to Writing tests. It is not possible to have any other tests re-marked for the Selective High School Placement Test or the Opportunity Class Placement Test.

Since the multiple-choice tests are computer-marked and reliability checks are already carried out, these tests cannot be re-marked.

A results enquiry and/or an appeal will not provide you with the placement score or rank. The only information available to parents about their child’s test performance is shown in the performance report as ‘bands’ achieved.

Appeals

An appeal is a different process to a results enquiry. Valid and invalid grounds for appeal are described on this page. Please note that you cannot request the re-marking of multiple-choice test papers through an appeal or a results enquiry.

Two different processes

Two different processes apply for starting a results enquiry or an appeal. To start a ‘results enquiry’, complete the Payment Details form that is available here for 7 days after the outcome release. You cannot make a results enquiry through the application dashboard.

If you want to make an appeal, please complete and submit the relevant form in the application dashboard.

Results enquiry: where to start

Parents who think there may have been an error in the marking or reporting of their child's Writing test results may request a results enquiry.

An administration fee of $40 (Australian dollars) is payable (via debit card or credit card) when submitting a results enquiry. A results enquiry, including the payment of the administration fee, must be submitted within the results enquiry application window (18 to 25 August 2023). The administration fee covers the cost of re-marking and scoring the Writing test paper.

For more information on paying the administration fee for a results enquiry refer to the Quick reference guide. When making a payment please include the correct application number and the family name of your child.

To request a Writing test result enquiry, you need to first pay the administration fee to start the process. You will receive an email after the closing date confirming that we have received your results enquiry.

If you would like to start a results enquiry now, please start by completing the 'Payment Details' form in the above section.

Once a payment for a results enquiry has been processed and validated against our records, we are unable to provide a refund for a results enquiry.

A results enquiry involves:

• Checking that the students’ data is matched correctly to their Writing test
• a review of the examiner-marked Writing test by a senior examiner to ensure that the marking criteria have been appropriately applied.

Results enquiries are available only for the selective high school writing test. All other selective high school test components are computer marked and include reliability checks to ensure their accuracy, therefore a results enquiry is not available for these test components. Requests for re-marking of any multiple-choice tests will not be approved.

A results enquiry may change the original outcome for each school preference, or it may result in no change. Please note that if your child’s performance is lowered by a results enquiry, any existing offer may be withdrawn.

Requesting a results enquiry will not lead to a placement score or rank being given to parents. However, parents will be told if their child’s outcome changes after a results enquiry and a new Performance report will be provided if their child’s performance bands change.

A results enquiry including the payment of the administration fee must be submitted within 7 days after the original outcome notification.

Appeals against the outcome of the results enquiry

If you wish to appeal the outcome of the results enquiry, you will have 7 days after the outcome to do so. You can access the Results enquiry outcome appeal form during those 7 days.

Appeals based on a malpractice determination

Parents can appeal against the determination of malpractice using the link within their malpractice letter. The appeal must be submitted by the due date specified in the letter.

Appeals against the placement outcome

All decisions made by the selection committee and appeals panel are based on the way students are ranked on academic merit for placement in selective high schools. You can appeal against the outcome if something specific happened to prevent you from submitting an illness/misadventure request at the time of the test.

Appeals will not usually be accepted if they rely on reasons that you either mentioned or should have mentioned using the illness/misadventure process within 7 days of the test.

Appeals that have the greatest chance of being upheld are those where:

• You are aware of the circumstances that led to your child's inability to attend the test or perform at their best.
• You have not already told the Selective Education Unit about this matter and you have good reasons for not doing so.
• You have written evidence to support your case.

All relevant evidence must be included with appeals at the time they are submitted. Additional material will not be requested by the Unit and may not be considered after the due date.

The Selective Education Unit will present appeals to an appeals panel for consideration. However, appeals based on invalid grounds will not be forwarded to the panel.

Invalid grounds for appeal

Before submitting an appeal, please read this list of invalid grounds for appeal:

• Requests to re-mark the multiple choice test components. Since the multiple choice tests are computer-marked and reliability checks are already carried out, these tests cannot be re-marked using the results enquiry or appeals process. Requests to re-mark the Writing test component should be made through the results enquiry process.

• Matters that have, or should have been, dealt with as an illness/misadventure request are invalid grounds for appeal. If extenuating circumstances stopped you from submitting an illness/misadventure request you must provide us with the details and upload supporting documents. Matters that should have been dealt with in an illness/misadventure request include:
  • difficult family circumstances and bereavements in the period leading up to the test or on the test day
  • illness, injury, anxiety, fatigue or stress at the time of the test
  • test centre problems such as disruptions during the test or suspected shorter time given for the test
  • anything voluntary and avoidable that stopped the child from sitting the test or doing their best in the test, such as participation in entertainment, sporting events, attendance at excursions, camps, or a holiday trip.

• Suspected disadvantage due to the implementation of the Equity Placement Model. Requests for consideration under equity groups will not be considered valid grounds for appeal. The department identifies students from various equity groups using data from the application form and other available information.
• Concerns about recent changes to reporting of test scores or weighting of test components.
  
• Suspected problems with the teacher, for example extended teacher absences or changes of teacher or school.
• The process used to determine academic merit, such as consideration of IQ results in the interstate and overseas process, or alternative evidence of academic merit.
• Lack of familiarity with the placement process, the English language, Australian culture and/or the NSW education system.
• The student’s academic performance on the practice tests on our website or other measurements or reports, such as IQ score, International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) testing, school reports or certificates and scholarship or coaching college testing.
  • However, if NAPLAN results were used for placing students who didn't take the test, and parents can prove issues with the NAPLAN tests, an appeal is possible. Parents need to provide results from an individual IQ test, specifically, the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children – Fifth Edition.

• Requests for reviewing applications due to parent or student expectations or disappointment at not receiving an offer or being placed on a reserve list.
• Young age of the student, lack of test preparation, educational disadvantage or failure of the student to complete one or more tests.
• The apparent inability of the student to demonstrate their potential.
• Perceived advantage the student may gain from placement in a selective high school. This includes travel convenience, attendance with friends or siblings and/or benefits to the family.

Appeals founded on valid reasons, but where any potential adjustments wouldn't impact the placement outcome, will also not be forwarded to the appeals panel.

After reviewing your appeal, the Selective Education Unit will inform you through a message on your application dashboard about whether or not your appeal will be sent to the appeals panel for further consideration.

How to submit an appeal against your placement outcome

First, review the list of invalid and valid grounds. If you believe you have valid reasons for appeal, proceed with these steps:

1. Log in to your application dashboard
2. go to the ‘application’ section
3. under ‘action’ click on the 3 dots to show the drop-down menu
4. select ‘Start appeal’ and follow the steps
5. complete the form
6. attach evidence that supports your description of the circumstances
7. submit
8. your screen will then show a message acknowledging your submission.

Residency appeals

Applicants must satisfy residency requirements before a place can be offered. An appeal based on residency can be pursued under exceptional circumstances, such as when written evidence indicates imminent approval of a permanent residency visa.

To submit a residency appeal:

1. Log in to your application dashboard
2. go to the ‘applications’ section
3. under ‘action’ click on the 3 dots to show the drop-down menu
4. select ‘Start appeal’
5. follow the steps until you get to ‘Residency’ appeals
6. complete the form
7. attach evidence that supports your description of the circumstances
8. submit
9. your screen will then show a message acknowledging your submission.

Appeals panel

The appeals panel meets to consider appeals passed on by the Selective Education Unit. The appeals panel include a selective high school principal, an opportunity class principal, and a director, educational leadership. The appeals panel will consult with the primary school principal if necessary. Applicants receive the results of their appeals shortly after the appeals panel concludes its review.