The purpose of the Selective test is to identify children who are talented and have greater academic potential. It is meant for Year 6 students to allow entry into a Selective High School in Year 7. The Selective test has gone through many changes since 2020. In 2020, there was an overall major change in content and structure following the 2018 department review. The second major change will happen in 2025 as the test will be online.
The transition to an online Selective assessment has been eagerly anticipated and is a much-needed improvement. This change enables a more sleek, efficient testing process with quicker results. After several close attempts in recent years to take the Selective test online, it has been successfully implemented in a more robust and well-organized format.
Let us go through the changes expected for the 2025 test.
The changes introduced will affect students taking the test in 2025 (Year 6 students in 2025).
It’s important to clarify that the test topics, content, and structure—including Mathematical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Thinking Skills, and Writing—will remain unchanged, as will the overall difficulty level of the test. The performance reports provided to parents will also stay the same.
The logistics of the test—including when, where, and how it takes place—will be impacted. Additionally, the timelines for application and results will be adjusted.
Let’s explore these changes in greater detail.
The exam will still be administered by Janison Exam Management, with Cambridge Assessment continuing to handle the writing and marking of the test.
You cannot select the specific day for your child to take the test within the three days. The department will assign a day.
As confirmed for 2025, the test features multiple versions, administered over several days to help ensure confidentiality and fairness for all participants. However, it is important to note that the test is not adaptive. An adaptive test adjusts the difficulty level based on the test taker’s responses to earlier questions, but this is not the case here.
The test may move to be adaptive in future years. As of 2025, it is multi-version, NOT adaptive.
The outcomes of the test will be announced in Term 3 of the same year of sitting the test. This is faster than before. However, there is no change to the performance reports. The report shows how your child performed compared to other students who took the test that year. For each of the test components, the report shows where your child performed in one of four bands:
It is important to note that these percentages do not represent your child’s correct answers on each test. Rather, they show how your child’s performance compares to other students who sat the test in the same year.
Parents will continue to be offered a place based on two factors:
Test scores or placement ranks will still not be available or provided.
There is no mention of the school assessment. It used to be a contributing factor a few years ago; but not anymore.
There are no set minimum entry marks to receive an offer to a selective high school or opportunity class anymore. If you find minimum entry marks or cut-off marks mentioned anywhere on websites, please know that the department stopped publishing them in 2021. One of the main reasons for not having minimum entry marks by schools is that the level of test performance required for each school depends on:
The more sought-after a school is, the more challenging it is to receive an offer.
Global Education Academy continually adapts to any changes made by the department. Our tutoring centre in Sydney has transitioned to computer-based exams for all our mock tests to help students become more familiar with the online format. Students complete their tests using an online platform. Parents have
immediate access to results as soon as students receive feedback from their teachers, whether in face-to-face classes or online (for online students). Parents can view performance data and statistics on our platform. Additionally, students receive detailed teacher feedback through hard copies of the in-class tests to maximise their learning experience.
Here are some tips on how to prepare for the test:
As parents and educators, we need to embrace the digital realm. Many parents I know are a bit skeptical about it. This is the inevitable future, embrace and be prepared.
Preparing your child for the Selective test is a vital step in helping them reach their full potential. Whether you choose to enroll in tutoring for selective school tests or get them ready at home, preparation is powerful. One of the greatest advantages of attending a Selective High School is the opportunity to be surrounded by like-minded peers who can become lifelong friends.
As parents, we understand the significance of this environment in shaping their future and personal growth.
A Selective Benchmark assessment provides insight into your child’s current strengths and identifies any areas of weakness. It includes the four components of the Selective placement test and serves as the initial evaluation for our Selective Preparation Course. This assessment provides you with the clarity needed to make an informed decision.
