You can appeal a NSW selective high school or opportunity class outcome, but only on limited grounds, with documentary evidence, and usually within five business days of outcomes being released. An appeal can't re-mark the test or reveal a score. Most appeals are for something that went wrong on or around test day, such as illness or an unexpected event.
If you're thinking about appealing, read this first. You only get one chance to submit, and you can't add to it afterwards.
Deadlines
| 2027 entry | 2028 entry | |
|---|---|---|
| Selective outcomes | 19 August 2026 | August 2027 |
| Selective appeals close | 26 August 2026, 11:59 pm | About five business days after outcomes |
| OC outcomes | 9 September 2026 | September 2027 |
| OC appeals close | 16 September 2026, 11:59 pm | About five business days after outcomes |
Late appeals are not accepted. Check the exact date in your dashboard on results day.
Grounds that can work
The department accepts appeals based on:
- Medical circumstances, for example your child was unwell during the test, backed by a medical practitioner's documentation
- Unforeseen circumstances, for example a serious family event or disruption that affected your child's performance, backed by evidence
The key question is whether something outside your child's control affected their performance, and whether you can prove it.
Grounds that won't work
The department lists these as invalid:
- Not knowing about the illness or misadventure process (requested earlier, close to the test)
- Asking for test questions to be re-marked or the performance report changed
- Concerns about computer-based testing or changes to the selection process
- Practice test results, NAPLAN, ICAS or school reports
- Disappointment at not getting an offer or reserve place
- Benefits like travel convenience, friends or siblings at the school
- Residency, where the student doesn't hold an eligible visa
That means scores from coaching colleges or practice tests, including ours, can't be used to argue your child should have done better.
Appeals vs illness and misadventure
These are two separate processes.
- Illness or misadventure is requested shortly after the test, before outcomes, if something affected your child on test day. For 2027 entry, the deadline for OC requests was 15 May 2026. Check your dashboard for the deadline each year.
- Appeals are lodged after outcomes.
If you knew something went wrong on test day, use the illness or misadventure process at the time. Not knowing about it isn't a valid ground for an appeal later.
Evidence
- You can attach up to three documents.
- All evidence must be included when you submit. The department won't ask for more.
- Appeals can't be edited after submission.
- Appeals without enough evidence, or where no valid adjustment would change the outcome, aren't sent to the panel.
Good evidence is specific, dated and from an independent professional, such as a medical certificate that names the condition and the dates it affected your child.
Who decides
An appeals panel of two principals, from a selective high school or a school with an opportunity class, plus a Director, Educational Leadership, considers each appeal. You're told the outcome after the panel meets. The decision is final.
How to lodge an appeal
- Log in to your application dashboard.
- In the Application section, select the three dots under Action, then Start appeal.
- Answer whether your child sat the test.
- Explain your grounds in detail.
- Attach up to three supporting documents.
- Select Submit appeal. You'll get a confirmation email and a dashboard message.
You can view or withdraw the appeal from the same menu.
Writing the appeal
There's no template you have to follow, but strong appeals tend to:
- Say what happened, when, and how it affected your child, in plain sentences
- Point to each document and what it shows
- Stick to valid grounds. Mentioning practice scores or how hard your child worked doesn't help and can distract from the real reason
- Stay short. A clear page is better than a long one
Should you appeal?
Appeal if something outside your child's control clearly affected their test, and you have evidence. Don't appeal just because the result was disappointing. It won't succeed, and the week is better spent on the decisions that do matter.
- If your child has an offer and a higher-choice reserve, read accept or wait.
- If they're on a reserve list, read our reserve list guide.
- If they missed out, read selective test results or OC test results for next steps.
Frequently asked questions
Can I appeal a selective school result in NSW? Yes, on limited grounds such as documented illness or unforeseen circumstances, within about five business days of outcomes.
Can I get my child's test re-marked? No. Test questions can't be re-marked, and an appeal can't produce a score or rank.
Who decides appeals? A panel of two principals and a Director, Educational Leadership. The decision is final.
Can I use practice test results in an appeal? No. Practice tests, NAPLAN, ICAS and school reports are all invalid grounds.
Sources: NSW Department of Education, selective high schools and opportunity classes appeals page and application process key dates (page updated 27 October 2026). Practice Tests & Exams is not affiliated with the NSW Department of Education. This guide is general information. Follow the instructions in your dashboard.