Overall, minimum entry scores for entry into selective high schools have increased since 2020, with most schools experiencing a slight increase of around 1-4 points. Despite this overall trend, a few schools experienced slight declines in minimum entry scores, particularly Karabar High School, with a drop of 6 points.  

With a little over 4,000 placements available each year and the growing number of students applying, entry into a selective high school is becoming increasingly difficult as the level of competition rises. This year 15,355 students in NSW sat the test for only 4,226 placements. This means 72% of applicants were unsuccessful. 

To find out if your child has the potential to enter a selective high school, book a Benchmark Assessment with Global Education Academy.  

Below is a table of the minimum entry score and rank for all selective high schools in NSW for 2021. 

Minimum entry scores and rank for all selective high schools in NSW for 2021 (alphabetical order) 

 

There are 17 fully selective high schools, 25 partially selective high schools, 4 agricultural high schools and 2 virtual selective class provision offering selective placement in Year 7 for entry in 2021. 

 

School	Min. Entry Score	Status	Area
Alexandria Park Community School	176	Partially	Alexandria
Armidale Secondary College	162	Partially	Armidale
Auburn Girls High School	160	Partially	Auburn
Aurora College (Virtual)	160	Partially	Aurora
Baulkham Hills High School	233	Fully	Baulkham Hills
Blacktown Boys High School	191	Partially	Blacktown
Blacktown Girls High School	192	Partially	Blacktown
Bonnyrigg High School	165	Partially	Bonnyrigg
Caringbah High School	194	Fully	Caringbah
Chatswood High School	214	Partially	Chatswood
Elizabeth Macarthur High School	161	Partially	Narellan
Fort Street High School	216	Fully	Petersham
Girraween High School	220	Fully	Girraween
Gorokan High School	160	Fully	Lake Haven
Gosford High School	187	Fully	Gosford
Grafton High School	160	Partially	Grafton
Granville Boys High School	160	Partially	Granville
Hornsby Girls High School	221	Fully	Hornsby
Hurlstone Agricultural High School	202	Fully	Glenfield
James Ruse Agricultural High School	248	Fully	Carlingford
Karabar High School	160	Partially	Queanbeyan
Kooringal High School	160	Partially	Kooringal North
Macquarie Fields High School	178	Partially	Macquarie Fields
Merewether High School	184	Fully	Broadmeadow
Moorebank High School	171	Partially	Moorebank
Normanhurst Boys High School	217	Fully	Normanhurst
North Sydney Boys High School	228	Fully	Crows Nest
North Sydney Girls High School	220	Fully	Crows Nest
Northern Beaches Secondary College Manly Campus	208	Fully	North Curl Curl
Parramatta High School	204	Partially	Parramatta
Peel High School	160	Partially	Tamworth
Penrith High School	209	Fully	Penrith
Prairiewood High School	181	Partially	Wetherill Park
Rose Bay Secondary College	171	Partially	Dover Heights
Ryde Secondary College	198	Partially	Ryde
Sefton High School	188	Partially	Sefton
Smiths Hill High School	184	Fully	Wollongong
St George Girls High School	201	Fully	Kogarah
Sydney Boys High School	220	Fully	Moore Park
Sydney Girls High School	215	Fully	Surry Hills
Sydney Secondary College Balmain Campus	181	Partially	Rozelle
Sydney Secondary College Leichhardt Campus	187	Partially	Rozelle
Sydney Technical High School	198	Fully	Bexley
Tempe High School	189	Partially	Tempe

Source: Department of Education 

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

What is the entry mark made up of? 

 

The entry mark for selective schools is made up of several factors. 

In prior years, the total calculated placement score was out of 300, with the following breakdown: 

Component	School Assessment Score*	Test Score	Total Score
English (Reading Comprehension and Writing)**	50	50	100
Mathematics**	50	50	100
General Ability	No school scores	100	100
Total calculated placement score	100	200	300

*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. 

 

From 2021, this has changed to a total calculated placement score out of 120, in part due to changes in the Placement Test design. The table below demonstrates the breakdown: 

Component	Weighted scaled test score
Reading	25
Mathematical Reasoning	25
Thinking Skills	35
Writing	15
Moderated School Assessment Score*	20
Total calculated placement score	120

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

For each test component, the raw test score is scaled on a state-wide basis to reduce the variability in test question difficulty. 

 

 

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

 

Global Education Academy has assisted hundreds of students to achieve selective high school placement and obtain scholarships to private schools.  

Our Selective & Scholarship Preparation Course exposes students to the structure and types of questions commonly asked in the Selective High School Placement Test and empowers them with systematic tools and practice to cultivate higher-order thinking skills. The course also equips 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 includes 8 Mock Tests that have a similar structure to the actual test. Students’ performance in these tests gives a clear indication of their future performance. It also gives us and parents an understanding of what schools to nominate in the application and in what order to prioritise them. Having the “right” order is a key aspect for a successful application. Some students miss out simply because they did not prioritise the schools strategically to maximise success. 

 

GEA Selective School & Scholarship Program 

 

• Length: 40 weeks 
• Locations: Kogarah and Turramurra Campus and online 
• Completion: March 2022 (the week before the Selective exam in 2022) 
• Sessions: 4 hours per week – Mathematics, English, Writing, Thinking Skills, exam techniques, time management, problem-solving strategies and most importantly, reducing cognitive load 

• Mock exams that mirror the Selective Test structure 
• 1 hour per week homework assistance (optional – free of charge) 
• Full guidance for parents throughout the application process 
   

If you are interested in selective high school and/or scholarship for your child, or would like further information, please call us today on 1300 001 432. 

 

Selective Preparation Program

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