NSW Selective Test 2026: Key Dates, Registration & Application Guide
NSW Selective Test 2026 dates — registration opens 6 November 2025, closes 20 February 2026, test 1–2 May 2026. Step-by-step application guide for parents.
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Quick Answer: The 2026 NSW Selective High School Placement Test (Year 7 entry in 2027) runs 1–2 May 2026. Applications opened 6 November 2025 and close 20 February 2026 with no late entries. Outcomes are expected 19 August 2026. Register through the NSW Department of Education application portal.
What Are the Key Dates for the 2026 NSW Selective Test?
The 2026 NSW Selective High School Placement Test is the Year 6 exam for Year 7 entry in 2027, with applications closing 20 February 2026 and testing on 1–2 May 2026.
If your child is in Year 6 in 2026, this is the application cycle that matters. The NSW Department of Education publishes 4,338 places in selective high schools across NSW for entry to Year 7. Missing a deadline removes your child's chance to sit the test, regardless of ability.
For preparation context, see our selective school preparation hub, test format guide, and preparation strategies. To compare dates across exams, use our Australian exam dates calendar for 2026.
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications open | 6 November 2025 |
| Applications close (no late entries) | 20 February 2026 |
| Last day to request reasonable adjustments | 20 February 2026 |
| Last day to update application details | 13 March 2026 |
| Test admission tickets (expected) | ~17 April 2026 |
| Placement test | 1–2 May 2026 (one allocated day per student) |
| Last day for illness or misadventure request | 8 May 2026 |
| Make-up test | 22 May 2026 |
| Last day to change school choices | 5 June 2026 |
| Placement outcomes expected | 19 August 2026 |
| Last day to submit an outcomes appeal | 26 August 2026 (11:59 pm) |
| Reserve decision date | 3 December 2026 |
2026 Selective Test — Official Timeline
Applications Open
6 November 2025
- Online application portal opens
Create a parent/carer account · Begin the eight application sections
Applications Close
20 February 2026
- Final deadline — no late applications
- Last day to request reasonable adjustments
Submit the completed application · Lodge any adjustment requests with documentation
Last Day to Update Details
13 March 2026
- Final chance to correct application information
Update current school, photo, or contact details in the dashboard
Test Admission Tickets
17 April 2026 (expected)
- Tickets released via the application dashboard
Confirm test centre and allocated test day · Plan transport in advance
Placement Test
1–2 May 2026
- Students sit the test on one allocated day only
Attend the assigned test centre in NSW · Bring required identification
Make-Up Test
22 May 2026
- For approved illness or misadventure only
Submit illness or misadventure request by 8 May 2026 · Provide supporting evidence
Last Day to Change School Choices
5 June 2026
- Final opportunity to update ranked preferences
Log in to the application dashboard · Reorder up to three school preferences
Placement Outcomes
19 August 2026 (expected)
- Offers, reserve lists, or unsuccessful outcomes released
Check email and the application dashboard · Accept or decline offers within the stated timeframe
How Do You Register for the NSW Selective Test?
NSW Selective Test registration is completed entirely online through the NSW Department of Education portal, with parents registering using their own details, not the child's.
Prepare for the 2026 Selective Test
Structured courses covering Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, Thinking Skills, and Writing for the computer-based placement test.
Five-Step Application Process
1.Register your account
Create a parent or carer account on the placement portal. Use an email address you check regularly — all correspondence comes through email.
2.Verify your email
Click the verification link sent to your inbox. Check spam if it does not arrive within a few minutes.
3.Log in and complete eight sections
Enter your child's personal details, school information, photo, and up to three ranked school preferences. You can save and return, but saving does not submit the application.
4.Request reasonable adjustments if needed
Students with disability or medical conditions can request practical adjustments. Supporting documentation is required. The deadline is 20 February 2026 — the same as the application close date.
5.Submit and confirm receipt
Review every section, then click Submit. You should receive a confirmation email and dashboard message. Aim to submit at least one week before the deadline to avoid last-minute portal issues.
The test is computer-based, with four equally weighted components over about 155 minutes (Reading 45 min, Mathematical Reasoning 40 min, Thinking Skills 40 min, Writing 30 min). For component-by-component detail, see our NSW selective test format guide and the official NSW DoE practice tests page. For a structured prep plan, see preparation strategies, the Selective Ultimate Pack, and our sample reasoning paper.
In Braintree's 2025 NSW Selective coaching cohort, fortnightly full computer-based mocks in the final term were the preparation step tutors most often credited in parent check-ins before outcomes day — not last-minute cramming. That matches what we see on timed Writing and Thinking Skills sections once the application is submitted.
What Documents and School Preferences Do You Need?
Selective school application documents include identity and residency proof, current school details, an optional passport-style photo, and up to three ranked school preferences submitted through the online portal.
Who can apply
Parents can apply if their child is in a NSW public school, non-government school, home study, an interstate school, or an overseas school — provided they meet citizenship or visa requirements and will be living in NSW from the start of the entry year. Your child must be in Year 6 in 2026 for Year 7 entry in 2027.
Documents to gather before you start
Application Checklist
Birth certificate or passport (legal name and date of birth)
Proof of Australian citizenship, permanent residency, or eligible visa
Current school name and Student Registration Number
Recent passport-style photo of your child (optional but recommended for the admission ticket)
Up to three selective schools ranked in preference order
Specialist reports if requesting reasonable adjustments or special provisions
School preferences
You can list up to three selective or partially selective schools in ranked order. The NSW Department of Education considers your child against all listed schools based solely on test performance — listing a school first does not give extra consideration. If your child's performance qualifies for more than one choice, the offer comes from your highest qualifying preference. You can change choices after submitting until 5 June 2026.
Be realistic about school choices (the department publishes no set minimum entry scores), consider daily travel time, and use all three preference slots.
What Happens After the Selective Test?
After the NSW Selective Test, your child receives one of three outcomes on their allocated test day (1 or 2 May 2026): an offer at a preferred school, a reserve list placement, or unsuccessful for all three listed preferences. Outcomes are expected 19 August 2026.
If you receive an offer, accept or decline within the stated timeframe — non-response is treated as a decline. Reserve list movement can continue through the acceptance period and sometimes into Term 1 of Year 7. In Braintree's observation of the 2024 and 2025 NSW Selective reserve rounds, Band A offers typically land within the first fortnight; later bands can move through to December, though timing varies each year and is never guaranteed.
While you wait for results, use the preparation window to build computer-based test familiarity. A free mock test shows how your child handles timed Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, Thinking Skills, and Writing under test conditions.
Other state selective pathways
- Victoria SEHS preparation hub — Victorian selective entry for Melbourne High, Mac.Robertson, Nossal and Suzanne Cory
Register early, then benchmark readiness
Submit your application before 20 February 2026, then use a free mock test to see how your Year 6 student handles the four computer-based components.
Last updated: 7 August 2026
Practice the new format
Sit a NSW Selective High School mock paper this week.
The fastest way to know whether the strategy in this article works for your student is to put them in front of a paper. Two ways to start — pick the pack that matches where they are now.
Questions parents ask about this article
When is the NSW Selective Test in 2026?
When do applications open and close?
How many schools can I list as preferences?
Is there a fee to sit the selective test?
Can interstate or overseas students apply?
What typing speed does my child need?
Editorial review
Reviewed by Braintree Academic Panel (Qualified teachers reviewing NSW Selective and OC content) on .
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See where your child stands before you commit.
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