Changes to the NSW Selective High School Placement Test & NEW Writing Program
We are excited to announce important changes to the Selective High School Placement Test.
Commencing in 2025, the Writing and Reading components will be more heavily weighted meaning it is even more important that students develop their literacy skills in order to perform their best in the Test.
It is important to note that the Selective High School Placement Test will be a computer-based test from 2025.
At North Shore, we anticipated this change and have been providing our own computer-based exam preparation courses for some years – such as our Exam Preparation Program for students in Years 5 and 6.
The 2025 exam format and weightings are shown in the table below:
| Section | Questions | Minutes | Type | Weighting |
| Reading | 30 answers across 16 questions | 40 | Multiple-choice | 25% |
| Mathematical reasoning | 35 | 40 | Multiple-choice | 25% |
| Thinking skills | 40 | 40 | Multiple-choice | 25% |
| Writing | 1 | 30 | Open response | 25% |
Important Information to Note:
- The Writing test weighting has increased to 25%.
- The Thinking Skills test weighting has reduced to 25%.
- There has been a small change to the format of the Reading test.
- All sections now have EQUAL weighting.
Test Date:
| Test year | School entry year | Main test period | Make-up test |
| 2025 | 2026 | Friday 2 May to Sunday 4 May 2025 | Monday 19 May 2025 |
A friendly reminder that applications for Year 7 entry in 2026 have opened. Applications can be made here until 21 February 2025.
In appreciation of your support, we are offering a special course bundle to help your child develop and practise essential skills for the Selective High School Placement Test. This course bundle is offered to you at a significant cost saving.
Special Course Bundle Offer:
If your child is studying ANY of our Fastrain/High Achiever or Exam Preparation Programs, add $300 to enrol in our NEW ‘Writing for Selective School Exam’ Program. This one-hour program is normally priced at $400 (save $100).
Closing Date for Offer:
Enrol in the bundle before 20th November.
We cannot offer these bundles for long. Once class places fill, we will have to withdraw these offers. Early enrolment will ensure your child’s place.
Contact your campus now!
Note:
North Shore Coaching College operates professionally and ethically in the tuition industry, offering experience-based tuition programs.
North Shore Coaching College acknowledges the Selective High School Placement Test is the intellectual property of the NSW Department of Education. We make no assertion that our programs are developed in conjunction with the owner or developers of the IP.
North Shore Coaching College has a proud and substantiated record of student success. However, we make no claims that enrolling in our tuition programs will guarantee success in any examination.
