Selective Stream Entry at Chatswood High School

NOTE: Applications for 2027 have now closed.

Chatswood High School is a partially Selective High School with a maximum of 60 Selective students enrolled in each year group.

In NSW public high schools, mainstream (comprehensive) classes include all local students learning the standard curriculum, while selective classes group high-performing students together and typically move through content faster and in greater depth.

By Years 10–12, both streams usually study the same Stage 5–6 curriculum (leading to the HSC), but selective classes are academically accelerated and competitive, whereas mainstream classes are more mixed-ability with a broader range of learning needs.

Year 7

Applications for entry into Year 7 Selective stream are made through the High Performing Students Unit. Applications close November two years prior to Year 7.

Years 8-11 in 2027

Applications for entry into the Years 8 to 11 Selective Stream in 2027 are now open and will close on Friday 24 July 2026 at 3.00 pm.

PLEASE NOTE: Important Information

The application process for entry into Years 8 to 11 at Chatswood High School IS DIFFERENT to other selective high schools. The information applicants provide to Edutest to register for the entrance test replaces the NSW Department of Education Application form.

Key dates for 2027 Yrs 8 - 11 selective class placement

• Applications open: Wednesday 17 June 2026
• Applications close: Friday, 24 July 2026 (at 3.00 pm)
• Edutest entry test date: Saturday 15 August 2026

Vacancies

A small number of vacancies at Chatswood High School in Years 8 to 11 may become available. This depends on the number of selective students who leave the school.

Please note:
Chatswood High School

• may have NO vacancies in some years
• will create reserve lists in case of future vacancies
• cannot create additional places in any year group
• will make offers up to the end of Term 1 2027 when vacancies arise

General Information

For general information about enrolling in a selective high school, please visit the NSW Department of Education website.

Residency Requirements

To enrol at a selective high school, all students must meet the NSW residency requirements:

• Students and their families must be living in NSW by the beginning of the school year of entry.

• Conditions may apply to students who are not citizens or permanent residents of Australia or citizens of New Zealand. Please review the Visa subclasses and enrolment conditionson the Department website.

Application Process

Chatswood High School has three stages to the selection process for Selective applicants:

1. Register and pay for the entrance test provided by Edutest
2. Sit the entrance test on Saturday 15 August 2026
3. Students who meet the entry criteria will be shortlisted and invited to submit an application.

Stage 1. Register and pay for the entrance test

Entry into the selective stream at Chatswood High School is primarily based on the results of the entrance test.

The entrance test is conducted by the external provider Edutest.

• Cost: $180

Test registration and payment is to be completed via the Edutest website before applications close on Friday 24 July at 3.00 pm. APPLICATIONS HAVE NOW CLOSED.

Once you have registered with Edutest, you do not need to provide us with any other forms. Please note, this process is different for other schools you may be applying for.

You must register with Edutest for each school you wish to apply to, however the examination is sat only once for all participating schools.

The school you register with first will be the location where your child sits the examination. This does not need to be the student’s first preference school.

Edutest Participating Schools:

• Chatswood High School
• Baulkham Hills HS
• North Sydney Boys HS
• North Sydney Girls HS
• James Ruse HS
• Sydney Girls HS

Up to  four weeks after  the Edutest testing, parents will be notified via email whether their child has been shortlisted. This notification will be sent to the email address provided when you registered with Edutest. Please ensure you check your junk or spam folder as well.

Stage 2. Sitting the Entrance Test

Edutest Entrance Testing Details for Chatswood High School

What Students Must Bring

Students must bring:

• Photo identification (e.g. current school photo card, library card, or passport)

• Two lead pencils

• A black or blue pen

Calculators are NOT permitted.

Test Format

The testing includes five sections:

• Verbal Reasoning

• Numerical Reasoning

• Reading Comprehension

• Mathematics

• Written Expression

Each section runs for 30 minutes.

Online practice tests are available for purchase from the Edutest website

General information: Available on the Edutest parent and student page(opens in new window)(opens in new window)

Students applying from interstate or overseas must contact Edutest directly at least three weeks before the examination date to arrange remote testing (additional costs apply).

See the  remote interstate and overseas testing arrangements(opens in new window)  on the Edutest website.

Stage 3. Results and Shortlisting

The school selection panel will convene to evaluate the test results. A shortlist will be created; only shortlisted students will be asked to complete the CHS application form with further details.

Students invited are asked to submit the Chatswood High School application form via the link included in the invitation email.

The following supporting documents are to be uploaded to the form:

• proof of citizenship or permanent residency

• Most recent NAPLAN result (Year 9 or Year 7 only) (if available)

• School academic reports

  • Semester 1 2025
  • Semester 2 2025
  • Semester 1 2026

All applicants will be advised in writing if they were unsuccessful or if they have been placed on the Reserve List. Students on the Reserve List may be contacted during Term 4 if a place becomes available. Offers may be made up to the end of Term 1 2027.