Australia’s selective entry public high schools provide economical but highly academic schooling options for gifted students. Entry into these schools is highly competitive, and the number of available places, course structure, examination requirements and the entry year may vary in different states.
It is always best to be well-prepared for this exam, and this article is to help you ensure you have got all the information you need.
Manoj Arachige
📝 What is the Selective Entry Exam?
In Victoria, a centralised selection process is conducted for students in Year 8 to select students for the following year to commence in Year 9 at the Selective Entry High Schools. There are approximately 1,000 places offered for Year 9 entry across the four Selective Entry High Schools. In 2024, over 5000 students applied for that 1000 spots, making VIC’s selective school acceptance rate only about 20%.
The Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) administers the centralised selection process on behalf of the Department of Education.
🏫 What are Selective High Schools?
Victoria has four selective entry high schools that provide a specialist environment for academically high-achieving students in Years 9 to 12. These schools are:
- Nossal High School (co-educational) in Berwick.
- Suzanne Cory High School (co-educational) in Werribee.
- The Mac.Robertson Girls' High School (girls' school) in Melbourne.
- Melbourne High School (boys' school) in South Yarra.
These schools consistently rank among the very best in Victoria and Australia, both in terms of VCE results and university entry rates:
| School | Median VCE Study Score (2024) | % Study Scores 40+ | ATAR Highlights | State Ranking (2024) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mac.Robertson Girls’ High School | 37 | 31.1% | ATAR 99.9 (top student, 2023), 71.2% ATAR 90+ | #1 public school |
| Melbourne High School | 36 | 28.5% | Median ATAR 95.45, 71.89% ATAR 90+ | #2 public school |
| Nossal High School | 36 | 27.6% | Median ATAR 90.3, 52% ATAR 90+ | #3 public school |
| Suzanne Cory High School | 34 | 19.0% | Consistently top 10 in state | #5 public school |
Data is taken from this source.
Manoj Arachige
✅ Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for the Victorian Selective Entry High School entry exam, the student must:
- be in their second year of secondary schooling or its equivalent (Year 8) in 2025
- have not previously sat the exam for Year 9 entry
- and be:
- an Australian citizen, or
- a New Zealand citizen residing in Australia, or
- hold a visa or ImmiCard, which would exempt them from paying International Student Fees to attend a Victorian government school (more information)
- able to meet the citizenship or visa criteria by the time the offers process commences.
Students attending government and non-government schools, as well as home-schooled students, are eligible to apply. The above eligibility criteria apply to candidates living in Victoria, as well as those living and studying interstate or overseas. Fee-paying international students enrolled in Victorian schools are not eligible to apply.
Contact the selective entry high schools directly if you have specific questions about their subjects and programs or about enrolling for Year 10 and above.
📑 Application Process
Application for 2026 enrolment has already closed, but for future reference:
- Create an account in the application portal
- Complete parent details and child’s details
- Select at least one preference
- Complete equity consideration (if applicable)
- Confirm eligibility
- Submit payment of $175 (free for low-income or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families)
To find out more, check out: https://selectiveentry.acer.org/vic/apply
📖 How does the exam work?
The exam takes approximately four hours to complete. It comprises of a series of tests including multiple choice questions and written tasks:
- Reasoning – Reading (35 mins)
- Reasoning – Mathematics (30 mins)
- Short break (20 mins)
- General ability – Verbal (30 mins)
- General ability – Quantitative (30 mins)
- Short break (5 mins)
- Writing (40 mins)
The test is meant to challenge candidates, both on academic knowledge, as well as problem-solving skills.
📩 Selection and Offer
Places at the selective entry high schools are offered as follows:
- Standard merit – 85% of places will be offered based on rank from exam performance.
- Equity consideration – up to 10% of places will be offered based on exam performance and ability to meet the conditions for equity.
- Principal discretion – up to 5% of places will be offered at the discretion of the principal of the individual selective entry high school, provided the cap from any one source school has not been reached.
Places in the Selective Entry High Schools are offered in rounds. To find out more about the offer process, please see the Victorian Department of Education website.
In 2025, the first round of offers will be sent via email on Wednesday 23 July 2025. Parents will be advised in the email of the timeframe in which to accept or decline the offer. No response to an offer means you have declined the offer.
It is the responsibility of the designated parent or carer to be on the lookout for messages and/or emails about offers, so keep your notifications switched on during these periods!
Manoj Arachige
📅 Application Deadlines
The 2026 VIC Selective Test will likely open in early February 2026, but nothing is confirmed yet. Best to keep a lookout on the VIC Government website closer to the actual date itself!
📘 Exam Dates
The test dates for 2026 have not yet been released, but is likely to be in June 2026. Do keep a lookout on the government website for more accurate information when the time comes:
| Test | Test Period |
| Selective Entry Test | June 2026 |
🎯 How to Prepare your Child for the exam?
Selective schools are competitive, and for good reason. While students do have to work hard to perform well in the exam, it is still very important to remember that students are in their formative years and should not be put under unnecessary stress. Here are some ways you can support your child:
- Practice Tests: Doing practice tests under timed conditions helps to build familiarity, speed and endurance.
- Sufficient Rest: Prioritise healthy sleep and nutrition, especially near the exam itself.
- Seek help when needed: If your child is struggling with preparing for the test, get help early — a few sessions with a tutor can make a big difference.
- Provide Emotional Support: Create an open and supportive environment, and reinforce the fact that your child's worth is not defined by a single test outcome.
Manoj Arachige
Final Thoughts
The selective entry exam can be very stressful for young, talented minds, so it is important to ensure they have got the right support from the offset! Marking down the important dates, and ensuring that students are well-rested and well-prepared for the exam is the most parents can do. If you want to find the best mentor to guide your child through this stressful exam, KIS Academics has the right tutors for you!
If you’re looking for tutoring that fits into your busy schedule and delivers real results, KIS Academics is here to help. Our team of expert tutors is ready to support your child’s academic journey every step of the way.
