NSW Selective — Timeline
NSW Selective Test 2026: 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 outcomes are released in Term 3. Miss the application window and there is no second chance that year. The most recently confirmed cycle (2027 entry) had applications from 6 November 2025 to 20 February 2026 the test on 1 or 2 May 2026 (make-up test 22 May 2026) and outcomes in Term 3 2026. Dates for the next cycle (the 2027 test) have not been published yet; this page will be updated when the Department announces them.
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 2027 entry, applications opened 6 November 2025.
- Applications close (February). Late applications are generally not accepted, and this is the deadline for disability provisions and test-centre preferences. The 2027 entry deadline was 20 February 2026.
- Test window (early May). Your child sits the computer-based test at their allocated centre. The 2027 entry test ran 1 or 2 May 2026.
- Outcomes released (Term 3). Outcomes appear in the application portal. In 2027 entry they were released in Term 3 2026. 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 (2027 entry) it ran 1 or 2 May 2026, with a make-up test on 22 May 2026. 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 2027 entry the window was 6 November 2025 to 20 February 2026. 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. A make-up test is offered only for approved illness or misadventure (22 May 2026 in the 2027 entry cycle), so timed practice beforehand matters.
When are results released?
Outcomes are released in Term 3 through the online application portal and by email. In the 2027 entry cycle they were released in Term 3 2026. See our results guide for how to read the score and what reserve lists mean.
Sources: NSW Department of Education — Selective High School Placement Test; NSW Department of Education: Selective high school placement timeline, Year 7 entry in 2027. Last verified: October 2026.