UPDATE: For 2019 selective high school entry marks click here.

It is common knowledge that selective schools are the top-ranking schools based on HSC results. However, with only 4,000 (approx) placements available each year and an ever-growing number of students applying, it has become increasingly difficult to gain entry to a selective high school. This year 14,501 candidates in NSW sat the test for only 4,256 placements in Year 7. In other words, 71% of applicants were unsuccessful.

Below is a table of the minimum entry score and rank for all selective high schools in NSW for 2018.

Selective Schools Entry Marks for 2018* (alphabetical order)

Source DET

Source: DET

*Please note that these marks vary from year to year.

There are 17 fully selective high schools, 26 high schools with selective classes, which are called partially selective, 4 agricultural high schools and a virtual selective class provision offering selective placement in Year 7 for entry in 2018.

What is the entry mark made up of?

The entry mark for selective school is made up using several factors, the table below demonstrates the breakdown.

The Mark Breakdown

*some independent schools do not have to provide this score.

**Schools provide the school assessment scores out of 100 in English and Maths, based generally on the student’s performance in year 5 (usually using the mid-year report) and NAPLAN results in Year 5.

How does the formula work?

For each test component, the test score is scaled to a mean of 60 and a standard deviation of 12. In other words, the average score correct out of 45 for Reading is scaled to 60 out of 100 and all other scores are calculated relative to that score of 60.

How can I get my child a placement in a selective school?

At Global Education Academy, the success rate for the Selective and Scholarship Preparation Program is higher than 90%. The course exposes students to the structure and types of questions commonly used in the Selective High School Placement Test and empowers them with systematic tools and practice to cultivate higher order thinking skill. The course empowers students with exam techniques and tools to reduce and manage cognitive load theory experience during exams. This ensures a true reflection of their ability and potential.

The course also includes 8 Mock Tests that are structured similar to the actual test. Students’ performance in these tests gives a significant indication of their future performance. It also guides us and parents to what schools to nominate in the application and in what order to prioritise them. Having the “right” order is a key point for a successful application. Some students miss out merely because they did not prioritise the schools strategically to maximise their chances.

The program:

• Length: 40-week course
• Commencing: Term 2, 2018
• Locations: Kogarah Campus and Turramurra Campus
• Completion: March 2019 (the week before the Selective exam in 2019)
• Course Structure: 10 weeks every term + 5 day Selective Preparation Intensive Course in January 2019
• Sessions: 4 hours per week – Mathematics, English, Writing, General Ability, Exam techniques, time management, problem solving strategies etc.
• Mock exams that mirror the Selective Test structure
• 2 hours per week homework assistance (optional- free of charge)

If you are interested in selective school for your child, or would like further information regarding selective school entry, please enquire today.