Placement test
Applications are now open for entry in 2027
Application period
Thursday 6 November 2025 to Friday 20 February 2026
The following information is about:
- the Selective High School Placement Test for Year 7 entry
- the Opportunity Class Placement Test for Year 5 entry.
Students must sit a placement test to be considered for Year 7 placement in a selective high school or Year 5 placement in an opportunity class. The Illness/misadventure process addresses any circumstances where a child was unable to sit their scheduled placement test or make up test.
For selective high school entry in Years 8 to 11, please contact the individual schools you want to apply for to learn about their selection criteria and any assessments for entry. For more information see Selective high schools – Years 8 to 11 applications.
Information and frequently asked questions about the tests held in 2025 are available at Rescheduled tests in 2025.
Test structure and practice tests
Learn about the different test sections and access the online practice tests, and their PDF copies, at the relevant test page below.
Video: Parent talking about how their child prepared for the test (duration 21 seconds)
Test dates
Each student is only required to sit the placement test on one day.
The placement tests are computer-based and held in May. Only one test is held on each test day. A student will only be required to sit the placement test on one day. See the full list of key dates for exact test dates.
There will be multiple versions of the computer-based test to allow the tests to be conducted on different days and to allow for a make-up test held in late May. There are measures in place to ensure there is no advantage from sitting the test on a particular day and performance can be compared across multiple test versions.
Computers will be provided. Students do not need to bring their own device on the day.
Allocation of students to test days will depend on the availability, capacity and location of test centres. Test dates and locations are not allocated based on the date of application. Once students are allocated to a test centre and test date, it is not possible to make changes unless there are exceptional circumstances beyond your control.
Selective high school – Year 7 entry in 2027
| Date | Activity | |
|---|---|---|
1-2 May 2026 |
Selective High School Placement Test (students are allocated to attend one test day only) |
|
22 May 2026 |
Selective High School Placement Make-up Test |
Opportunity class – Year 5 entry in 2027
| Date | Activity | |
|---|---|---|
8-9 May 2026 |
Opportunity Class Placement Test (students are allocated to attend one test day only) |
|
22 May 2026 |
Opportunity Class Placement Make-up Test |
Test centres and locations
Where is the test held?
Students are allocated to test centres in their local area. Most test centres will be local high schools.
From 2026 the placement tests will only be held in NSW.
Students who are overseas or interstate will be required to return to NSW to sit the placement test.
If your child is unable to return to NSW to sit the test, they will not be considered for placement in an opportunity class or selective high school.
How will I find out my child's test centre and test date?
You’ll receive a message in your application dashboard before the start of the main test period when your Test Admission Ticket becomes available. You will also receive an email directing you to view this message. See 'Test centre allocation and Test Admission Ticket released' in the Key dates.
If you have not received your test centre allocation 2 weeks before the start of the main test period, send the Selective Education Team a message in the application dashboard.
How is my child's test centre location decided?
Students are allocated to test centres in their local area. Most test centres will be local high schools.
If your address or the school your child attends has changed after submitting your application, please update this information in the application dashboard.
Once students are allocated to a test centre and test date, it is not possible to make changes unless there are exceptional circumstances beyond your control. In these cases, you should message the Selective Education Team in the application dashboard, however, there is no guarantee that a change can be made.
Test day
On test day your child should:
- wear their school uniform
- bring their Test Admission Ticket (available for download from your application dashboard).
- bring the items listed in the test day checklist below. Students do not need to bring their own computer or mouse to sit the placement test.
Note: each student will be given two A3 pieces of paper for working out at the start of the test.
Test day checklist
All students need:
- two 2B pencils
- eraser
- pencil sharpener
- a printed copy of the Test Admission Ticket
- a clear bottle of water
- to wear their school uniform – please bring a hat for any breaks and a jumper if the weather is cool.
If required, bring:
- a substantial snack to eat during the longer break – for the selective high school test only
- any items approved as adjustments for disability, e.g. FM transmitters
- EpiPen, asthma inhalers, diabetes or other medication
- glasses
- tissues
- a clear plastic bag for stationery (pencil cases are not allowed)
- a wristwatch (that cannot make a noise, calculate, compute, connect to the internet, send or receive messages, or facilitate attempted malpractice).
These items are not allowed:
- pens
- rulers
- calculators
- note paper
- dictionaries or other books
- smart watches, phones or other devices that compute, photograph, communicate or make a noise
- pencil cases.
What if my child is sick on test day?
Please do not bring your child to the test if he or she is ill with respiratory or other contagious disease (e.g. flu or COVID).
If your child presents a health risk to other students, they may not be allowed to sit the test. For more information, see Illness or misadventure below.
Getting to the test centre
It's important to carefully plan your trip to the test centre before the test day. Here are some key steps to consider:
- Review your Test Admission Ticket
Start by thoroughly reading the test centre details on your Test Admission Ticket to confirm the location, time and date and any special instructions.
Your child will not be admitted to the test if they arrive on the wrong test day, time or location. See above: How will I find out my child's test centre and test date? - Download and print your Test Admission Ticket
Ensure you download and print the Test Admission Ticket. Your child must bring this ticket printed on paper to the test and show it to the invigilator at the test centre. A digital test admission ticket on a phone or device will not be accepted on the test day. - Plan your journey
Take the time to plan your route before test day. Here are some helpful suggestions:- Use online maps: like Google Maps or Apple Maps to help you plan your trip to the test centre.
- Choose your mode of transport: decide how you and your child will get to the test centre. Consider options such as driving, taking public transport, or arranging a carpool.
Parking considerations
Be aware that parking may be limited at many test venues and/or there may be a change to available parking. Plan ahead to identify the nearest parking facilities and factor in extra time for parking on test day.
Public transport information
If you’re using public transport, refer to the NSW Government Trip Planner. The planner provides comprehensive information on routes, timetables, and any potential disruptions.
By taking these steps, you can help ensure that your child arrives at the test centre feeling calm and prepared.
Student drop-off and pick-up time
Arrival time
Arrive at the test centre on the day and arrival time shown on the Test Admission Ticket.
Log in to your application dashboard to access and print your Test Admission Ticket.
When you arrive at the test centre
For a smooth check-in process, please:
- follow the signs and any directions to the test centre entrance.
- meet the invigilator (test supervisor) at the entrance.
- listen to instructions from the invigilator and follow their directions.
- remember parents and carers are not permitted in the test room. The invigilators will take your child to the test room.
The only exception to this rule is if a parent has written permission for medical reasons to accompany their child inside.
By following these instructions, you help create a supportive environment for your child as they get ready to begin the test.
Picking up your child
Follow instructions provided by the invigilators on where to collect your child after the test. Please arrive on time to pick up your child – they should not be left waiting after the test.
If the test has not finished when you arrive, please wait quietly to avoid disturbing the students.
If you have organised for your child to be collected by someone else, your child needs to bring a signed note from you to confirm who is picking up your child.
During the test
There are short breaks between the test sections where students remain in the test room.
For the selective high school placement test there is a longer break in the middle of the testing period where students can go outside (if an outside area is available) and eat the food they have brought.
Malpractice
Students who are found to be cheating (also called 'malpractice') on the test may not be considered for placement.
- copying answers from another student or allowing another student to copy your answers during testing
- collaboration and/or communication between students during testing
- using or trying to use unauthorised material during testing such as notes, study guides, mobile phones and electronic devices
- altering or attempting to alter any software, hardware devices or test materials, e.g. laptops or computer-based test interface
- using technology devices such as smart watches, hidden cameras, audio recorders, digital glasses or other wearable technology to capture test content and/or access information during the test
- not following the instructions of invigilation staff during testing
- student impersonation (pretending to be someone else) or arranging for another person to take the test on your behalf
- obtaining or trying to get the test questions before the test
- individual or multiple students submitting another person’s work as if it were their own
- removing test materials from the test room without authorisation, e.g. test materials, working out paper and test admission ticket (TAT)
- sharing answers or test content with others (individuals and/or educational business entities) before, during, or after the test
- any other conduct that provides an unfair advantage
For more information see the Selective high schools and opportunity class placement procedures.
Illness or misadventure
Parents and/or carers should submit a request for illness/misadventure in situations where:
- illness, injury or a medical condition at the time of the test has:
- impacted the student’s performance on the day of the test
- resulted in the student missing the test
- a student missed the test or part of the test due to other incident (for example, Sorry Business or other bereavement)
- a student experienced test centre problems such as disruptions during the test or suspected shorter time given for the test
- a student experienced technical difficulties during the test
- unexpected, unscheduled, unavoidable activities and/or events that stopped the student from sitting the test or doing their best in the test, such as selected participation in representative entertainment and sporting events, school excursions or camps or family related travel needs/events.
Illness/misadventure requests applicable to the day of the placement test and/or the make-up placement test, must be submitted by parents and/or carers through the application dashboard by the cut-off date listed in the Key dates (typically 5 business days after the test or 5 days after the make-up placement test). No late illness/misadventure requests will be accepted.
Illness/misadventure requests must include supporting documentary evidence showing why the child missed the placement test or why their test performance was impacted. Supporting documentary evidence includes:
- a medical certificate that covers the date of the test (if the reason is health/medical related)
- any other evidence that covers the date of the test.
Supporting documents must be submitted when completing the Illness/misadventure request in your application dashboard by the due date – see 'When does the request need to be submitted?' above.
Any supporting documents sent outside of the application dashboard's illness/misadventure request (such as through a dashboard message or email) will not be accepted.
Invalid grounds for illness/misadventure request include:
- parent oversight – forgot test date, didn’t read emails/messaging in the application dashboard, generally busy with work or family commitments, not familiar with the process.
- family holiday – child and family are away during the test period and no prior request was submitted to sit the test interstate or overseas with the child’s application.
- participation in school or local sporting activities, e.g. individual/team school or local sport activities, school fairs, school photo days etc.
- missing the whole make-up test – as no other forms of academic merit can be considered, if a student misses the test in the main test period and also the whole make-up test, they cannot be considered for placement in a selective high school or opportunity class.
Important note: you can only submit requests for a short time after missing all or part of the test – see the Key dates. Make sure to include all evidence in your request, as you cannot add more information later.
- Log in to your application dashboard.
- Select Illness/misadventure: Select the 3 dots in the Action column next to your submitted application and select Illness/Misadventure.
- Read the information: A new screen will appear. After reading the information, select Complete illness/misadventure form.
- Choose your reason: Your child’s details will show at the top of the form. Pick the best reason for your request from these options:
- Absent for the test (did not go to the test centre)
- Absent for part/s of the test
- Encountered issues that affected test performance
Note: If you select Absent for the test (did not sit the test centre), you will need to answer Yes or No to whether the absence was due to a medical issue. If you answer Yes, upload a medical certificate which covers the day of the test in Step 6.
If you are applying for missing the make-up test, choose either Absent for part/s of the test or Encountered issues that affected test performance.
- Describe the issue: Enter a short description of the issue your child faced during the test or the reason for their absence. You have a limit of 1,000 characters.
- Upload supporting evidence: Attach any necessary documents, such as a medical certificate. You can upload a maximum of 3 files.
Note: Documents sent outside of this illness/misadventure online request (such as through a dashboard message or email) will not be accepted. - Review and Submit: After filling in Steps 4 to 6, check your request carefully and then select Submit request.
Note: You have a limited time to submit your request – see the Key dates.
You will get the result of your request via the Application dashboard once it has been reviewed.
Important note: Illness/misadventure requests cannot be changed after you submit them. Make sure to include all supporting documents (up to 3 attachments) before selecting ‘Submit’. Documents sent outside of this request will not be accepted
Parents and/or carers will receive advice on the outcome of their illness/misadventure request via message sent to the application dashboard. If the illness/misadventure request is approved, the student may:
- be eligible to sit a make-up test (date and location will be provided) or
- have their score adjusted, if they sat some or part of test during the main test period.
The test provider will investigate any illness/misadventure requests relating to performance in the test.
Students who miss the make-up placement test can no longer be considered for placement in a selective high school or opportunity class.