2021 Selective Test - Changes to Scoring

As of 7th March 2021, the NSW Department of Education released new information on how the 2021 Selective Test scores will be calculated. Unlike previous years where the total placement score has always been 300, this year’s Selective Test will have a total score of 120.

Here is a breakdown of the marks as listed on the Department of Education’s website.

For all students taking the Selective Test this year,  the largest change in the new score calculating system is not the drop in total placement score but rather how much each component contributes to the final score. Below is a pie chart comparing the differences between how sections are weighted in the new and old systems. 

Based on this, the following sections now have less impact on the final score:

• School Marks (33.33% → 16.67%)

• General Ability/Thinking Skills (33.3% → 29.16%)

Conversely, the following sections now have an increased impact on the final score: 

• Reading Comprehension/Reading (11.10% → 20.83%)

• Mathematics/Mathematical Reasoning (16.70% → 20.83%)

• Writing (5.6% → 12.5%)

Now the big question that all parents are wondering: Is this change good or bad?

To answer this, you will need to understand your child’s strengths and weaknesses. If their strengths are now more heavily weighted (e.g. if your child is great at Reading), this is fantastic news as this change is in your favour. If your weaknesses are now less heavily weighted (e.g. your child has done poorly at school), this is also good news as it means that there will be less of a negative impact.

Hopefully this blog has shed some light on how the new Selective Test scoring system works. We wish all our 2021 Selective Test applicants and the Alpha One community all the very best for the exam. Good luck!

Published 7th March 2021