NSW Selective — Timeline
NSW Selective Test Dates & Key Deadlines
NSW Selective High School placement runs on a fixed annual timeline: applications open in Term 4, close in February, the test is sat in early May, and results are released mid-year. Miss the application window and there is no second chance that year. The most recently confirmed cycle (2026 entry) had applications from 7 November 2024 to 21 February 2025 and the test on 2–4 May 2025.
The four phases of the placement timeline
- Applications open (Term 4). Create or log in to the online application account and submit your child’s details. Only one application per student is permitted. In 2026 entry, applications opened 7 November 2024.
- Applications close (February). Late applications are generally not accepted, and this is the deadline for disability provisions and test-centre preferences. The 2026 entry deadline was 21 February 2025.
- Test window (early May). Your child sits the computer-based test at their allocated centre. The 2026 entry test ran 2–4 May 2025.
- Results released (mid-year). Outcomes appear in the application portal. Reserve-list movement can continue for several weeks afterward.
How to use the timeline
Work backwards from the early-May test. Begin foundational practice in Year 5, move to full-length timed mock tests in the months before, and use the score calculator to keep expectations realistic as scores firm up. Because exact dates for the next cycle are only confirmed when the Department publishes them, set a reminder to check the official page each October.
Frequently asked questions
When does the NSW Selective test happen?
The placement test is sat in early May. In the most recent confirmed cycle (2026 entry) it ran 2–4 May 2025. Upcoming cycles follow the same pattern; confirm exact dates on the NSW Department of Education website.
When do applications open and close?
Applications open in Term 4 and close in February. For 2026 entry the window was 7 November 2024 to 21 February 2025. Late applications are generally not accepted.
Can my child sit the selective test more than once?
No. The placement test is sat once, in Year 6, for Year 7 entry. There is no resit, which is why timed practice beforehand matters.
When are results released?
Outcomes are released mid-year through the online application portal and by email. See our results guide for how to read the score and what reserve lists mean.
Source: NSW Department of Education — Selective High School Placement Test. Last verified: July 2026.