A selective place changes the next six years. Here's how to earn one.

Not simply because you're disappointed. There are two formal avenues, both lodged within five working days: an administrative appeal for genuine processing errors, and a Writing results enquiry (a clerical re-check plus senior-examiner review of marked components). Be aware a results enquiry can move the outcome either way — a lowered result can even remove an existing offer or reserve listing.

Declining is permanent — the place passes to the next student and can't be reinstated. If you're on a reserve list, you're offered a place only when your position is reached as others decline; reserve bands A–F estimate how likely that is (A within about a month, F unlikely by year's end). You can hold an accepted offer while staying on a higher-preference reserve list, with movement continuing into Term 1 of the entry year.

For Year 7 entry it's a single attempt in Year 6 — make-up tests are only for approved illness or misadventure, not second tries. Separate, much smaller rounds exist for entry into Years 8–11 later on, but the Year 6 test is the main opportunity.

In a fully selective school the entire cohort is admitted by the test, so cut-offs are typically higher and the whole peer group is high-achieving. A partially selective school runs a selective stream inside an otherwise comprehensive school — usually lower cut-offs and a more mixed environment. Both follow the same placement process.

Yes — eligibility is based on Year 6 enrolment and citizenship/residency, not school sector, so private, Catholic and home-schooled students all apply. Students with no school assessment mark have their test score rescaled so they aren't disadvantaged. Interstate and overseas applicants can apply if eligible, but from 2026 the test is held only in NSW, so the child must travel to sit it and live in NSW if placed.