Part 2: The Selective School Application Process and Test Results

In this article, we will explain what the selective school application process is. We’ll give you all the links for your application, important dates, and explain the different lists for candidates.

What is the Selective School application process?

To sit the test in May 2025, you can apply online between 7 November 2024 to 21 February 2025.

To register your child, here are the important steps you need to follow:

1. Fill out the application form online.
2. Choose up to 3 Selective Schools ranked according to your preference.
3. Submit the form.
4. Check your email for a confirmation.

For students wishing to enter a Selective School in 2026, here are some key dates to keep in mind:

Key dates for 2026 Selective School tests:

7 November 2024: Online Applications open for entry into Selective Schools in 2026
21 February 2025: Applications close
18 April 2025: Test centre and Test Admission Ticket released
2-4 May 2025: Selective High School Placement Test
8 May 2025: Illness/misadventure requests due
18 May 2025: Last day to change school choices
31 July 2025: Placement outcomes expected to release

Getting Your Results

The outcome of your child’s result is usually released in early July and a response form must be returned within 2 weeks.

If you are also thinking of enrolling your child to a private school where they usually require an application fee to be paid in June, this can be a huge inconvenience. However, you can get early advice in June by applying here.

There are four possible outcomes your child will receive:

1. Offer
2. Offer with higher choice reserve/s
3. Reserve
4. Unsuccessful

Usually, parents have trouble understanding what the second and third outcome means. If you are unsure, read on!

Selective Test Outcome: Reserve List

1. Offer with higher choice reserve

You may receive an offer as well as being placed on the reserve list. It may look something like this:

Applicant 1

This table shows that Applicant 1 has received an offer for Sydney Boys but is on the reserve list for James Ruse.

A common question that gets asked is, if I accept Sydney Boys, will I forfeit my position on the reserve list for James Ruse? The simple answer is no – you can accept the offer to Sydney Boys and opt to remain on the reserve list for James Ruse. If 30 students reject their offer to James Ruse, then Applicant 1 would have a spot at their first preference! Offers to those on the reserve list are usually made in early August.

2. Reserve List Only

If your child is placed only on the reserve list, it may look something like this:

Applicant 2

This table shows that Applicant 2 has not received any offers but is on the reserve list for Sydney Boys and Normanhurst Boys.

Let’s pretend Applicant 2 was NOT made an offer in early August to either Normanhurst Boys or Sydney Boys. They can still remain on the reserve list until Term 1 2022.

You may be wondering, well what happens if Applicant 2 was made an offer to Normanhurst Boys in early August but NOT Sydney Boys? You can still remain on the reserve list until 3PM 15th December 2021.

If you wish to remain on the list after 15th December 2021, you must reject the offer to Normanhurst Boys. This can be a bit of a gamble. Read on to find out how likely your child is to be offered a place if they are on the reserve list.

Likelihood of offer on Reserve List

For Applicant 2 in the above example, they may be wondering if they have a legitimate chance of being offered a place at Sydney Boys. Since they are 40th on the reserve list, they would have received a place in 2021 according to the table below:

Keep in mind these numbers will change year to year.

Preparing for the Selective Schools test

Now that you understand how all the essentials work, read on to find out what is the Selective Test and how you can help your child to ace it!