How to Apply for NSW Selective Schools: Application Guide and Preference Strategy (2027 Entry)

Applications for NSW Selective High School entry in 2027 are now open. If your child is currently in Year 5, this guide walks you through exactly what you need to do, when you need to do it, and — most importantly — how to strategically choose your three school preferences.

That last part matters more than most parents realise. Get it wrong, and your child could miss out on selective school entirely, even with a strong test result.

Key Dates for 2027 Entry

These are the dates you need to know:

Milestone	Date
Applications open	6 November 2025
Applications close	20 February 2026
Last day to update parent details in application	13 March 2026
Placement test	1–2 May 2026 (Friday and Saturday)
Make-up test	22 May 2026 (approved illness/misadventure only)
Last day to change school choices	5 June 2026
Results released	Late August 2026
Reserve decision date	TBC (approximately mid-December 2026, based on previous years)
School starts	Term 1, 2027

Critical warning: There are no late applications. If you miss the 20 February 2026 deadline, your child cannot sit the test for 2027 entry. Set a reminder now.

The Application Process: Step by Step

Step 1: Register on the application website

Go to shsoc.education.nsw.gov.au and register using your details (the parent or carer, not your child's details). You'll need to verify your email address before you can proceed.

Tip: The parent who lives at the same address as the child should submit the application. If parents live at different addresses, the parent with whom the child primarily resides should apply.

Step 2: Complete the application

You'll need to provide:

Your child's personal details
A recent photo of your child (passport-style)
Information about your child's current school
Your school preference choices (1 to 3 schools)
Any disability or medical conditions requiring adjustments

You can save and return. You don't need to complete everything in one sitting. Just make sure you submit before 20 February 2026.

Step 3: Request adjustments if needed

If your child has a disability, medical condition, or temporary injury that requires adjustments for the test (extra time, separate room, modified format), you can request this through the application. You'll need supporting documentation.

Step 4: Submit your application

Double-check everything before submitting. Once submitted, you can still log back in to change your school preferences until 5 June 2026 — but the rest of your application is locked.

Step 5: Receive your Test Admission Ticket

Before the test, your child will receive a Test Admission Ticket (previously called a Test Authority Letter). This must be printed and brought to the test centre.

Understanding How Offers Work

This is where many parents go wrong, so read carefully.

You only get ONE offer

Unlike university admissions where you might receive multiple offers to compare, the selective school system gives you one offer only — for the highest-preference school where your child meets the required test performance level.

Example:

Your child lists:

James Ruse Agricultural High School
North Sydney Girls High School
Blacktown Girls High School

If your child's test performance meets the level required for all three schools, they receive an offer only from James Ruse (their first preference). They will not receive offers from the other two schools.

If they decline the James Ruse offer, they cannot then receive an offer from North Sydney Girls or Blacktown Girls. That's it. They've declined their only offer.

Your first preference doesn't get "extra points"

Some parents worry that listing a competitive school as first preference will somehow hurt their chances. This is a myth.

Your child will be considered for all school choices based solely on their test performance. Listing a school as first preference doesn't give you extra consideration — but it also doesn't count against you.

The system simply looks at your preferences in order and offers you a place at the highest-preference school where your child qualifies.

What happens if you don't qualify for any of your choices?

If your child's test performance doesn't meet the required level for any of the schools you've listed, they won't receive an offer. This is why strategic preference selection matters.

The Biggest Mistake: Listing Three "Dream Schools"

Here's the costly error I see parents make:

A family lists three highly competitive schools — say James Ruse, Sydney Girls, and North Sydney Girls. Their child performs well on the test, but not quite at the level required for any of these three schools.

Result: No offer. Not from any selective school.

Meanwhile, that same child might have comfortably received an offer from a less competitive fully selective school, or a partially selective school closer to home. But because those schools weren't listed, they miss out entirely.

The selective test doesn't automatically place you at the "next best" school. You only get considered for the schools you specifically list.

A Strategic Approach to School Preferences

Here's a framework that actually works:

Preference 1: Your genuine first choice (aspirational but realistic)

This should be the school your child would most like to attend if they have a strong test performance. Consider:

Does your child want to go there (not just you)?
Is it realistically achievable based on their practice test performance?
Have you visited the school and confirmed it's a good fit?

It's fine for this to be aspirational, but it shouldn't be pure fantasy. If your child is consistently scoring in the 60th percentile on practice tests, James Ruse (which requires approximately top 1%) isn't a realistic first preference.

Preference 2: Your solid middle option

This should be a school where your child has a reasonable chance of gaining entry based on current performance. It should still be a school you'd genuinely be happy with.

Consider:

Schools slightly less competitive than your first choice
Schools with more available places
Partially selective schools with strong reputations

This is your "likely" school — the one where you feel confident your child will receive an offer if they perform to their usual standard.

Preference 3: Your safety net

This is crucial. Your third preference should be a school where:

Your child is highly likely to receive an offer
You would genuinely accept the offer if it came
It's still a better option than your local comprehensive (if that's your fallback)

Don't waste this slot. Some parents leave it blank or list another highly competitive school. That's a mistake. This is your insurance policy.

Good options for a third preference often include:

Partially selective schools (generally less competitive than fully selective)
Fully selective schools outside the Sydney metropolitan "hot spots"
Schools with larger Year 7 intakes

Factors to Consider When Choosing Schools

Beyond competitiveness, think about:

Travel time

Your child will make this journey twice a day, five days a week, for six years. A 90-minute commute each way sounds manageable in theory, but it means your child leaves home at 6:30am and returns at 5pm — before homework, extracurriculars, or any downtime.

Recommendation: Aim for under 45 minutes door-to-door if possible. Consider schools along convenient public transport routes.

School type

Fully selective (17 schools): All students are academically selected. The entire school culture is oriented around high achievement.

Partially selective (26 schools): A mix of selective and local-area students. Selective students attend separate classes for English, Maths, and Science, but join others for remaining subjects. This can offer a more diverse social environment.

Agricultural selective (4 schools): All students must study agriculture through Year 10. Great if your child has genuine interest; potentially frustrating if not.

Gender

Some schools are single-sex (boys only or girls only), while others are coeducational. From 2027, all coeducational selective schools will offer equal places for boys and girls.

Consider what environment your child prefers. Some students thrive in single-sex settings; others prefer mixed environments.

School culture and extracurriculars

Selective schools vary significantly in culture, even among the most academically competitive. Some emphasise sports, music, or debating. Some have more collaborative cultures; others are more intensely competitive.

Attend open days before finalising your preferences. These are usually held between October and February.

Types of Selective Schools in NSW

Here's what's available:

Fully Selective Schools (17)

Baulkham Hills High School (co-ed)
Caringbah High School (co-ed)
Fort Street High School (co-ed)
Girraween High School (co-ed)
Hornsby Girls High School (girls)
James Ruse Agricultural High School (co-ed, agricultural)
Merewether High School (co-ed)
North Sydney Boys High School (boys)
North Sydney Girls High School (girls)
Northern Beaches Secondary College Manly Campus (co-ed)
Normanhurst Boys High School (boys)
Penrith High School (co-ed)
St George Girls High School (girls)
Sydney Boys High School (boys)
Sydney Girls High School (girls)
Sydney Technical High School (boys)
Conservatorium High School (co-ed, audition required for music)

Agricultural Selective Schools (4)

Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School (boys, day and boarding)
Hurlstone Agricultural High School (co-ed, day and boarding)
James Ruse Agricultural High School (co-ed, day only — also listed above)
Yanco Agricultural High School (co-ed, boarding only)

Partially Selective Schools (26)

These include schools across Sydney and regional NSW. Examples include Auburn Girls, Blacktown Boys, Blacktown Girls, Bonnyrigg, Chatswood, Elizabeth Macarthur, Gosford, Moorebank, Peel, Prairiewood, Rose Bay, and others.

Aurora College (Virtual)

For students in rural and remote areas. Students attend their local "host" high school but join Aurora College's online classes for English, Maths, and Science. Approximately 100 places available.

Competitiveness: What We Know (and Don't Know)

Here's the frustrating truth: since 2021, NSW Education has stopped publishing cut-off scores or rankings. This makes it harder to assess school competitiveness.

What we know:

James Ruse Agricultural High School is consistently the most competitive, with thousands of applicants for approximately 120 places.
North Sydney Boys, North Sydney Girls, Sydney Boys, Sydney Girls are highly competitive metropolitan schools.
Baulkham Hills, Hornsby Girls, Normanhurst Boys are also very competitive.
Partially selective schools are generally less competitive than fully selective schools.
Regional fully selective schools (like Merewether, Penrith) tend to be less competitive than inner-Sydney schools.

Your child's practice test performance is your best guide. If they're consistently scoring in the top 10% on quality practice tests, competitive fully selective schools are realistic. If they're in the top 25%, partially selective or less competitive fully selective schools are better targets.

Can You Change Your Preferences Later?

Yes, until 5 June 2026 (about one month after the test).

This means you can:

Submit your application now with initial preferences
Continue preparing and taking practice tests
Visit schools during open day season
Adjust your preferences based on your child's performance trajectory

After 5 June 2026, changes are only possible in exceptional circumstances with documentary evidence.

The Reserve List: What Happens If You Just Miss Out

If your child's test performance is close to the required level for a school but not quite there, they may be placed on a reserve list rather than receiving an immediate offer.

Reserve lists are divided into bands (A through F):

Band A–E: You're likely to receive an offer as other families decline theirs, but there's no guarantee.
Band F: You're unlikely to receive an offer.

Reserve offers can come through from August until the end of Term 1, 2027.

The Critical Scenario: Reserve for First Choice, Offer for Second Choice

This is one of the most common situations parents face, and it requires careful decision-making.

Example scenario:

Your child lists:

North Sydney Girls High School (first preference)
Chatswood High School (second preference)
Blacktown Girls High School (third preference)

Results come out. Your child's test performance:

Just missed the cut-off for North Sydney Girls → placed on Reserve List (Band B)
Met the level for Chatswood → receives an Offer
Also met the level for Blacktown Girls → but no offer (because they qualified for a higher preference)

What happens now?

You receive an offer from Chatswood (your second preference) and are on the reserve list for North Sydney Girls (your first preference).

Your options:

Option 1: Accept the Chatswood offer and stay on the North Sydney Girls reserve list

This is possible — but only until the Reserve Decision Date (approximately mid-December 2026, based on previous years).

Until that date, you can:

Accept the Chatswood offer (securing a place)
Remain on the North Sydney Girls reserve list
If North Sydney Girls makes you an offer from the reserve list, you can accept it — and your Chatswood acceptance is automatically cancelled

After the Reserve Decision Date:

If you've accepted an offer, you are removed from all reserve lists
You keep your accepted school and that's final

Option 2: Decline the Chatswood offer and wait for the reserve list

This is risky. If you decline your only offer to gamble on the reserve list:

You might get a North Sydney Girls offer — great outcome
You might not — and now you have no selective school place at all

Remember: if you decline an offer, you cannot later accept a lower-preference school. That Chatswood offer is gone forever.

Option 3: Accept Chatswood and withdraw from the reserve list

If you're happy with Chatswood and don't want the uncertainty, you can accept the offer and withdraw from the North Sydney Girls reserve list immediately. This gives you certainty and lets another family move up the reserve list.

Strategic Implications for Your Preferences

This scenario is exactly why your preference order matters so much:

Make sure you'd genuinely accept your second and third choices.

If you receive an offer from your second preference and are on the reserve list for your first, you need to be comfortable either:

Accepting the second choice and potentially staying there, OR
Accepting temporarily while hoping for a reserve list offer

If your second preference is a school you'd resent attending, you've created a painful dilemma for yourself.

The Reserve Decision Date forces your hand.

You have until approximately mid-December 2026 (the Reserve Decision Date) to hold an accepted offer while remaining on reserve lists for higher-preference schools. After this date, if you've accepted an offer, you are removed from all reserve lists. So while you have several months to wait and see, eventually you must commit — or decline your accepted offer to stay on reserve lists (with no guarantee of receiving another offer).

Band matters for reserve list decisions.

If you're in Band A or B for your first choice, your chances of eventually receiving an offer are reasonable (though not guaranteed). If you're in Band E or F, those chances are slim. This should inform whether you're willing to decline a certain offer to gamble on an uncertain reserve list.

Common Questions

What if we only want to apply to one or two schools?

That's fine. You can list 1, 2, or 3 schools. Only list schools you'd genuinely like your child to attend.

However, if you only list one highly competitive school and your child doesn't meet the required level, they'll receive no offer at all.

Do we need to live near the school?

No. Selective schools are not zoned. You can apply to any selective school regardless of where you live in NSW. However, consider whether the daily commute is sustainable for six years.

Is there a fee to apply?

No. Applications are free. There are no fees for attending selective high schools, though schools may request voluntary contributions and charge for materials like other public schools.

What if my child is sick on test day?

If your child is unwell or experiences misadventure on test day, you can apply for them to sit the make-up test on 22 May 2026. You'll need documentary evidence (medical certificate, police report, etc.).

Can my child transfer between selective schools later?

There's no automatic transfer between selective schools. If you want to move to a different selective school in Years 8–11, you need to apply through that school's separate application process.

Your Action Checklist

Now (November–December 2025):

Register at shsoc.education.nsw.gov.au
Start your application (you can save and return)
Research potential schools
Attend open days

January–February 2026:

Finalise your school preferences
Submit your application before 20 February 2026
Continue test preparation

March–June 2026:

Receive Test Admission Ticket
Your child sits the test on 1–2 May 2026
Review school preferences (can change until 5 June)

August–December 2026:

Results released (late August)
Accept or decline offer (if received)
Decide on reserve list strategy (if applicable)
Reserve Decision Date (approximately mid-December) — after this date, accepting an offer removes you from all reserve lists

The Bottom Line

The NSW Selective application process isn't complicated, but the preference strategy matters enormously.

Three rules to remember:

You only get one offer — for your highest-preference school where you qualify.
Declining that offer means no selective school — you can't then accept a lower preference.
Your third preference is your safety net — don't waste it on another dream school.

Be strategic. Be realistic about your child's likely performance. And remember: a place at a "less prestigious" selective school is still a place at a selective school. Missing out entirely because you only listed unattainable options is a painful outcome that's entirely preventable.

This guide was written for SelectiveGuru, an Australian-made platform helping Year 5 and 6 students prepare for the NSW Selective High School Placement Test.