New South Wales transitions to digital selective testing

New South Wales, Australia’s most populous state, has the highest number of selective and partially selective schools in the country. Each year, around 30,000 students sit for either opportunity class placement tests or selective high school placement tests. The results of these tests are used to place children in specialised classes and schools based on their academic strengths.

This August, thousands of Year 4 students in New South Wales sat for the opportunity class placement tests using paper and pencil for the final time. Year 6 students took the last paper-based selective high school placement tests back in May.

From next year, children taking both tests will do so on a computer. In February, the New South Wales Department of Education selected Australian online assessment solutions provider Janison Education (Janison) and Cambridge University Press & Assessment (Cambridge) to develop and deliver computer-based selective education placement tests over the next five years. This agreement builds on Janison, Cambridge and the Department of Education’s history of collaboration since 2019. This includes delivering this year’s placement tests. 

For the new computer-based tests, Janison will develop and provide the digital testing platform and Cambridge will collaborate on test specification design, content development, panelling, marking, and scoring. Experts will work together to design new tests which offer increased efficiency, flexibility, security, and accessibility for students. They will also ensure the developments enable a more engaging and interactive testing experience.