The Timeline (2026 Test for 2027 Entry) If you miss the dates, you miss the test. There are usually no exceptions. Applications Open: Early November 2025 Applications Close: Mid-February 2026 (Do not be late!) Test Date: 9 May 2026 Results: August 2026.
The Equity Quota (20%) To make things fair, 20% of spots are held for specific groups. If your child is Aboriginal, from a low-income background, lives in a rural area, or has a disability, they might qualify for one of these spots. They still need to do well on the test, but they are compared against other students in their group, not just the whole state.
What is the "Reserve List"? When results come out, you get one of three answers: Offer: You got in! Unsuccessful: You didn't get in. Reserve List: You are on the waiting list.
How it works: If a student with an offer declines it (maybe they chose a private school instead), that spot goes to the first person on the Reserve List. Bands A to F: If you are in Band A, you are very close to getting in. If you are in Band E or F, it is unlikely. Don't lose hope immediately—movement happens all the way up to the start of the school year!