About the Exam
Students can apply to transfer into select NSW selective high schools at Year 8-11 through a competitive Edutest entrance exam. Students who apply for James Ruse Agricultural High School and any of the participating schools — Baulkham Hills, North Sydney Boys, North Sydney Girls, and Sydney Girls — sit the Edutest exam once. The exam assesses verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, reading comprehension, mathematics, and written expression (30 minutes each). Applications require academic reports, NAPLAN results, and evidence of co-curricular achievements. The combined application and exam fee is $160.
Exam Components
Schools
How to Prepare for NSW Selective Year 8-11
You sit the Edutest exam once and can be considered for multiple schools (James Ruse, Baulkham Hills, North Sydney Boys/Girls, Sydney Girls).
The $160 fee covers both application and exam — submit academic reports, NAPLAN results, and co-curricular evidence alongside your application.
Year 8-11 transfer is highly competitive with very few places — aim for top percentile performance across all five sections.
Prepare evidence of co-curricular achievement — the application is holistic, not just exam-based.
The August exam timing means you can use Term 1-2 for focused preparation while maintaining your current school grades.
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School Guides
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Related Opportunities
Explore other exam pathways that may suit your goals.
NSW Selective
Prepare for the Edutest-administered NSW Selective High School Placement Test to gain entry into Sydney's top selective schools.
View detailsNSW Scholarships
Prepare for Edutest scholarship entrance exams at leading NSW private and independent schools.
View detailsFrom our latest exam cohort
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