From 2025, the placement tests for selective high schools and opportunity classes will move from single version paper-based tests to computer-based tests.

There will also be changes to the application process for 2026 entry to selective high schools and opportunity classes.

These changes will result in:

• a more engaging experience for students with computer-based testing
• a longer application period for parents and carers to apply
• more choice for parents and carers of when their child will sit a placement test
• outcomes being released earlier to parents and carers.

The key changes are outlined on this webpage. The department will provide more information during 2024.

Computer-based tests in 2025

The placement tests in 2025 will be held at scheduled times over multiple days (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) and conducted mostly in external test centres (i.e. not in schools). Students will be allocated an external test centre within the local area of their current school.

The 2025 selective high school and opportunity class placement test dates are 2-4 May 2025.

A make-up test date will be available for students who were unable to sit the initial test and who have an approved illness or misadventure request. The make-up test date in 2025 is Monday 19 May 2025.

There will be multiple versions of the computer-based test to allow the tests to be conducted over several days. Students will not need to bring their own device to sit the placement tests.

The test structure for each test is not changing in 2025:

• The Selective High School Placement Test will continue to have 4 sections (Reading, Mathematical reasoning, Thinking skills and Writing).
• The Opportunity Class Placement Test will continue to have 3 sections (Reading, Mathematical reasoning and Thinking skills).

Parents and carers will be able to request reasonable adjustments for students with disability, medical conditions or temporary injuries to access the test.

Before the test, students will be given a test admission ticket (previously called a Test Authority Letter). Students must bring their test admission ticket with them to the test.

Computer-based practice tests will be available for students to familiarise themselves with the test format and features, including reasonable adjustments for students with disability, medical conditions or temporary injuries. The department will also publish other resources throughout 2024 to help students prepare for the placement tests.

Janison Solutions will provide the computer-based test platform and manage test centres and test supervision. They will work in partnership with Cambridge University Press & Assessment for the test design and marking.

Test outcomes

Outcomes and placement offers for selective high school and opportunity class entry in 2026 will be available to parents and carers and schools in Term 3, 2025. The placement test Performance report will remain the same and continue to show how a student performed within performance bands.

Parents and carers will continue to be offered a place based on their child’s test performance and the order of their school choices. Test scores or placement ranks will still not be available or provided.

Applying for entry

Applications will be open each year from November to February (the following year) for both selective high school and opportunity class placement. Parents and carers will still apply online using the Selective high school and opportunity class placement application website.

Applications for selective high school and opportunity class entry in 2026 will be open from 7 November 2024 to 21 February 2025. There will be no late applications due to the longer application period, and the application closing date being closer to the test dates and logistical constraints around organising test centres and devices.

This change to the application period means that parents and carers will now need to apply for opportunity class placement when their child is in Year 3 (or by the end of Week 4, Term 1 when their child is in Year 4). This change applies to students currently in Year 3. For selective high school placement, parents and carers will continue to apply when their child is in Year 5 and can now apply when their child is in year 6 until the end of Week 4, Term 1.

Key dates – applying for entry in 2026

• 7 November 2024 to 21 February 2025 – parents and carers apply for selective high school or opportunity class entry in 2026.
• 2-4 May 2025 – students sit the selective high school or opportunity class placement test for entry in 2026.
• 19 May 2025 – make up test date (approved illness/misadventure requests)
• Term 3, 2025 – placement outcomes and offers released to parents and carers
• Term 1, 2026 – students who gain entry begin attending their opportunity class or selective high school

Future placement test dates