"I kept pushing my daughter to get top NAPLAN scores because I thought it would help her get into a selective school. It wasn't until we spoke to another parent that I realised they're completely separate tests." — Priya, Parent of Year 5 student, Parramatta
Data Sources for This Article
All information in this article is based on publicly available data from the NSW Department of Education (education.nsw.gov.au), the National Assessment Program (nap.edu.au), and ACARA (Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority). We verify all claims against official sources.
Does NAPLAN Affect Selective School Entry? The Short Answer Is No
If you have been wondering whether NAPLAN results affect selective school entry, you are not alone. It is one of the most common questions parents ask when their child begins primary school. The confusion is understandable — both assessments test academic skills, both happen during primary school years, and both carry significant weight in parent conversations.
Here is the definitive answer: NAPLAN does not directly determine selective school entry. They are completely separate assessment systems with different purposes, different formats, and different administering bodies.
However, the relationship between the two is more nuanced than a simple "no." The underlying skills tested do overlap, and strong NAPLAN performance can be a useful indicator of academic readiness. This guide clears up the confusion once and for all.
In this guide, you'll discover:
- The definitive answer on whether NAPLAN affects selective school placement
- Why so many parents mistakenly believe the two are connected
- How NAPLAN and selective school tests actually compare side by side
- When NAPLAN results might indirectly matter for your child
- What genuinely determines selective school entry in NSW
- What to focus on instead of worrying about NAPLAN scores
Everything you need to understand about NAPLAN and selective school entry
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The Definitive Answer: NAPLAN Does Not Determine Selective Entry
Let us be absolutely clear: NAPLAN results are not used in selective school placement decisions in NSW. The two systems are entirely separate.
NAPLAN (the National Assessment Program — Literacy and Numeracy) is a national assessment conducted across all Australian states and territories. It tests students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 on Reading, Writing, Conventions of Language (spelling, grammar, and punctuation), and Numeracy. It is administered by ACARA and has been delivered online since 2023, with the test window held in March each year. NAPLAN is designed to measure how students are progressing against national literacy and numeracy benchmarks — it is not a competitive entry examination.
The NSW Selective High School Placement Test, by contrast, is a voluntary, competitive aptitude test administered by the NSW Department of Education and developed by Cambridge Assessment. Students sit this test in Year 6 for entry into Year 7 at one of the 47 selective high schools across NSW. The test includes Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, Thinking Skills, and Writing — totalling 155 minutes.
Similarly, the Opportunity Class (OC) Placement Test for Year 5 entry and the HAST (Higher Ability Selection Test) used by many partially selective schools are also entirely separate from NAPLAN.
Key Fact
No selective school in NSW — whether fully selective, partially selective, or an Opportunity Class — uses NAPLAN results as part of its placement decision. Entry is determined solely by the relevant placement test for that school.
Why So Many Parents Think NAPLAN and Selective Tests Are Connected
The confusion between NAPLAN and selective school entry is widespread, and there are several understandable reasons for it.
Both test similar skill areas. NAPLAN assesses reading, writing, and numeracy. Selective tests assess reading, mathematical reasoning, thinking skills, and writing. On the surface, these look almost identical — and the foundational skills genuinely do overlap.
Both happen during primary school. NAPLAN in Year 3 and Year 5 coincides with the period when families are preparing for OC (Year 4 test) and selective (Year 6 test) entry. The timing creates an association in parents' minds.
Word of mouth and playground conversations. When parents discuss test results, NAPLAN and selective tests often come up in the same conversation. Without clear information, it is easy to assume one feeds into the other.
Coaching centres sometimes blur the line. Some tutoring providers market "NAPLAN and selective preparation" as a single package, which reinforces the impression that the two are directly linked.
"NAPLAN tells you how your child is tracking against national standards. Selective tests tell you how your child performs in a competitive, timed aptitude assessment against other high-ability applicants. They serve fundamentally different purposes."
Academic Team
NAPLAN vs Selective School Tests: A Side-by-Side Comparison
Understanding the structural differences between these assessments makes it clear why one cannot substitute for the other.
NAPLAN vs NSW Selective Test
Key differences every parent should understand
| Feature | Option 1 | Option 2 | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Measure national literacy and numeracy progress | Competitive placement into selective schools | Completely different aims |
| Who administers it | ACARA (national body) | NSW Department of Education / Cambridge Assessment | Different organisations |
| Mandatory? | Yes — all students in Years 3, 5, 7, 9 | No — voluntary application | NAPLAN is universal; selective is opt-in |
| Test components | Reading, Writing, Conventions of Language, Numeracy | Reading, Maths Reasoning, Thinking Skills, Writing | Selective includes Thinking Skills |
| Format | Adaptive online test over a 9-day window | Fixed-difficulty, single sitting, 155 minutes total | Very different test design |
| Result scale | Exceeding / Strong / Developing / Needs additional support | Competitive ranking against all applicants | Standards-based vs competitive ranking |
| Used for school entry? | No | Yes — sole basis for placement | Only the selective test matters for entry |
The most critical difference is the inclusion of Thinking Skills in the selective test. This component — which tests abstract reasoning, pattern recognition, and logical thinking — has no equivalent in NAPLAN. It accounts for 25% of the selective test and is often the area that distinguishes competitive applicants.
When NAPLAN Might Indirectly Matter
While NAPLAN results play no role in selective school placement, they are not entirely irrelevant to your child's selective school journey. Here is where the indirect connection exists.
As a readiness indicator. If your child consistently achieves "Exceeding" or "Strong" results in NAPLAN Reading and Numeracy, it suggests they have a solid foundation in the core skills that selective tests also assess. NAPLAN can serve as a useful early signal — particularly the Year 3 results if you are considering OC entry, or Year 5 results if you are thinking about selective high school.
For identifying skill gaps. NAPLAN results can highlight areas where your child may need additional support. If your child scores "Developing" in Reading, for example, this is a skill area that will also be tested in the selective exam. Addressing it early benefits both assessments.
For building academic confidence. Students who perform well in NAPLAN often approach other academic challenges with greater confidence. This psychological readiness matters when preparing for the higher-stakes selective test.
A Practical Way to Think About It
Think of NAPLAN as a health check — it tells you how your child is tracking. The selective test is a competitive tryout — it determines who gets a spot. A clean bill of health does not guarantee you make the team, but it is a good sign you are ready to train.
What NAPLAN cannot tell you. NAPLAN does not assess Thinking Skills (abstract reasoning), which is a major component of both the OC and selective tests. A strong NAPLAN result says nothing about your child's ability to handle pattern recognition, spatial reasoning, or logical deduction tasks. This is why specific selective test preparation is essential regardless of how well your child performs on NAPLAN.
What Actually Determines Selective School Entry in NSW
If NAPLAN is not the answer, what does determine whether your child gains entry to a selective school? Here is what matters.
The Selective School Entry Process
Application
Parents submit an online application through the NSW Department of Education during the designated application period, typically in the year before the intended entry year.
The Placement Test
Students sit the NSW Selective High School Placement Test in Year 6. The test covers Reading (45 min), Mathematical Reasoning (40 min), Thinking Skills (40 min), and Writing (30 min) — 155 minutes total.
Competitive Ranking
Students are ranked based on their overall test performance. Each component contributes 25% to the total score.
School Preferences
Families list preferred selective schools. Placement considers both the student's ranking and their school preferences.
Offers
Offers are made based on available places at each school. Approximately 4,248 places are available across 47 selective schools for over 17,000 applicants each year.
For Opportunity Class entry, the process is similar but the test is sat in Year 4 for Year 5 placement. The OC test covers Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, and Thinking Skills — each weighted equally at 33.3%. Approximately 2,500 places are available across 89 OC schools for over 15,000 applicants.
For schools using the HAST (Higher Ability Selection Test), the assessment is administered by ACER and is paper-based. It includes Reading, Mathematics, Abstract Reasoning, and Written Expression. Results are provided to the applying schools, which make their own placement decisions.
What Matters for Selective Entry
- ✓Performance on the specific selective placement test (not NAPLAN)
- ✓Strong reading comprehension and vocabulary skills
- ✓Mathematical reasoning ability (not just computation)
- ✓Thinking skills — abstract reasoning, pattern recognition, and logic
- ✓Writing ability under timed conditions
- ✓Keyboard proficiency — typing speed of 30-35 WPM is recommended for the selective test
- ✓Familiarity with computer-based, timed test conditions
What to Focus on Instead
Now that you know NAPLAN does not affect selective school entry, here is where to direct your energy.
Start with the right preparation. Selective test preparation should target the specific skills and format of the relevant placement test. This means practising Reading comprehension at a competitive level, Mathematical Reasoning (which goes beyond school curriculum), Thinking Skills (which are rarely taught in regular classrooms), and timed Writing.
Build Thinking Skills early. Since Thinking Skills is the component with no NAPLAN equivalent, it deserves particular attention. Abstract reasoning, pattern recognition, and spatial awareness can be developed through targeted practice, puzzle-based activities, and structured preparation programmes.
Practise under test conditions. The selective test is a high-pressure, timed assessment. Regular practice under realistic conditions — including computer-based mock tests — helps students build the stamina and time management skills they need. Explore free mock tests to give your child a head start.
Do not neglect NAPLAN entirely. While NAPLAN does not determine selective entry, it remains an important benchmark of your child's academic progress. Strong performance in both systems reflects a well-rounded student. The key is not to conflate the two or assume that NAPLAN preparation is sufficient for selective test readiness.
The Skills Overlap — But the Tests Do Not
Reading, numeracy, and reasoning skills underpin both NAPLAN and selective tests. Building these foundational skills benefits your child across all assessments. However, selective tests require additional preparation for Thinking Skills, competitive-level difficulty, and timed computer-based conditions that NAPLAN does not cover.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does NAPLAN affect selective school entry?
No. NAPLAN results are not used in any selective school placement decision in NSW. The NSW Selective High School Placement Test, the OC Placement Test, and the HAST are all entirely separate assessments. Your child's NAPLAN scores — whether high or low — have no bearing on whether they receive an offer from a selective school.
Can strong NAPLAN results predict selective test success?
Strong NAPLAN results can indicate that your child has solid foundational skills in reading and numeracy, which are also tested in selective exams. However, NAPLAN does not assess Thinking Skills (abstract reasoning), which is a major component of selective tests. A child who excels at NAPLAN may still need significant preparation for the selective test format and difficulty level.
Should I prepare my child for NAPLAN if we are aiming for a selective school?
NAPLAN preparation and selective test preparation are different things. NAPLAN is a standards-based assessment aligned to the national curriculum, while selective tests are competitive aptitude assessments. If your goal is selective school entry, focus your preparation efforts on the specific selective test. Your child's regular classroom learning should be sufficient for NAPLAN.
Do selective schools look at NAPLAN results after enrolment?
NAPLAN results may be used by schools — including selective schools — as part of their internal monitoring of student progress after enrolment. However, this is about tracking academic development, not about determining initial entry. All selective schools use their respective placement tests for admission decisions.
What is the biggest difference between NAPLAN and the selective test?
The most significant difference is the Thinking Skills component in the selective test, which assesses abstract reasoning, pattern recognition, and logical thinking. NAPLAN has no equivalent section. Additionally, the selective test is a competitive ranking assessment, while NAPLAN measures progress against fixed national standards. The difficulty level, time pressure, and test design are fundamentally different.
When should selective test preparation start?
For OC entry (test in Year 4), many families begin structured preparation in Year 3. For selective high school entry (test in Year 6), preparation typically begins in Year 4 or Year 5. Starting early allows time to build Thinking Skills and develop familiarity with the test format. Read our complete guide to NSW selective school entry for detailed timelines.
BrainTree's selective school preparation programme targets the specific skills, format, and difficulty level of the NSW Selective Placement Test, including dedicated Thinking Skills training.
Prepare for the Selective Test — Not Just NAPLAN
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Helpful Resources
Everything you need to plan your child's selective school journey
NSW Selective School Preparation
Comprehensive preparation programme covering all four components of the selective placement test.
Access ResourceOpportunity Class Preparation
Targeted preparation for the OC placement test, including Thinking Skills and Mathematical Reasoning.
Access ResourceNSW Selective School Entry: Complete Guide
Our detailed guide covering everything from timelines to test structure to school preferences.
Access ResourceFree Mock Tests
Try a free practice test to see where your child stands before beginning preparation.
Access ResourceRelated Guides
- NSW Selective School Entry: Complete Guide — Everything you need to know about the selective test, timelines, and school preferences
- Selective School Preparation — Our comprehensive programme for Year 7 selective entry
- Opportunity Class Preparation — Targeted OC test preparation for Year 5 entry
Last updated: January 2026