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NSW · Selective Entry

NSW Selective Test Score Calculator — your placement score.

Since 2025, the NSW Selective High School Placement Test scores four equally weighted sections out of a placement score of 120. Enter your section results to estimate your placement score and see how competitive it is.

Equal-weighting model (25% each) · NSW Department of Education · indicative only

Enter an estimated scaled score out of 30 for each section. Each of the four sections counts for 25% of the placement score, giving a total out of 120. The real test reports scaled scores, so treat this as an indicative planning estimate.

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Enter at least one section result.

Estimated placement score
0 / 120

An indicative estimate using the equal-weighting model (each section 25% of 120). The real test reports scaled scores that rank students statewide, and there is no published cut-off, so use this for planning only and confirm details with the NSW Department of Education.

How placement works

There are around 4,248 Year 7 selective places across roughly 47 schools, against 14,000 to 15,000 applicants each year. About 20% of places are set aside through the Equity Placement Model; the rest are allocated on rank against the schools a family nominates.

SchoolNotes
Fully selective (e.g. James Ruse, Sydney Boys, North Sydney Girls)Highest placement scores statewide every year
Partially selective high schoolsA selective stream within a comprehensive school; often a lower threshold
Agricultural selective high schoolsBoarding and day places; separate consideration

There are no fixed, officially published cut-off scores. A school's effective threshold is simply the score of the lowest-ranked student who accepted a place that year, and it moves with demand. Always confirm the current process with the NSW Department of Education.

The four sections, equally weighted

The test has four sections: Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, Thinking Skills, and Writing. Since the 2025 reforms, each carries 25% of the placement score. Writing used to count for less, so a child who writes poorly under timed conditions is now at a real disadvantage no matter how strong their other sections are.

Because the sections are equal, the limiting section usually decides the result. A balanced profile across all four beats a spiky one with a single very strong area.

Scaled scores, not raw marks

Results are reported as scaled scores so they can be compared fairly across years of differing difficulty. You cannot read a placement score as a count of correct answers. The official report also shows a percentile band for each section, such as top 10% or next 15%.

Related tools

Sitting the Year 4 test first? See the Opportunity Class score calculator. In Victoria instead? Use the Victorian selective entry calculator.

NSW selective high school placement is run by the NSW Department of Education, which publishes the official test structure and entry scores.

NSW selective test — common questions

How is the NSW selective placement score calculated?

Since 2025, each of the four sections (Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, Thinking Skills, Writing) is scaled and weighted equally at 25%, combining into a placement score out of 120 that ranks students statewide.

What score do I need to get into a selective school?

There is no published cut-off. A school's threshold is the score of the lowest-ranked student who accepted a place that year, and it changes with demand. The most sought-after schools sit at the very top each year.

Is this calculator the official score?

No. It is an indicative planning estimate based on the equal-weighting model. The real test reports scaled scores, and only the NSW Department of Education issues the official placement score.

Does writing really count as much as maths now?

Yes. Since the 2025 reforms, Writing is worth 25%, the same as each other section. A weak writing response now has a much bigger impact than before.

How many selective places are there?

Around 4,248 Year 7 places across roughly 47 selective and partially selective schools, against 14,000 to 15,000 applicants each year.

What are the percentile bands on the report?

For each section the report shows a band such as top 10%, next 15%, next 25%, or lowest 50%. These compare your child to other test-takers, not to a percentage of correct answers.

Keep going

Related selective & NAPLAN tools

OC testYear 5 entry VIC selectiveYear 9 entry NAPLAN scoreProficiency level Year 9 NAPLANHSC link