How to get into North Sydney Boys High School: entry, places and the selective test

Quick answer: North Sydney Boys High School in Crows Nest is a fully selective boys' school and, since 2023, the top-ranked HSC school in NSW. Selective entry in Year 7 is through the NSW Department of Education's Selective High School Placement Test, sat in Year 6. Families apply in Year 5, and the school has 150 boys for 2027 entry.

North Sydney Boys High School at a glance

North Sydney Boys overtook James Ruse as the top HSC school in NSW in 2023 and held first place in 2024 and 2025. Its sister school, North Sydney Girls High School, is a short walk away in Crows Nest, and many families list both when they have a son and a daughter a few years apart.

Year 7 entry: how it works

Year 7 selective places are decided by the Department of Education, not by the school. The process is the same for every NSW selective high school.

1. Apply in Year 5. Applications are made online through the Department.
2. Choose up to three selective schools, in order of preference. Listing a school first doesn't give extra consideration, because every choice is decided on test results, but you can't decline an offer to wait for a lower choice, so put your genuine first choice first.
3. Sit the Selective High School Placement Test in Year 6, usually in May.
4. Receive an outcome in Term 3 of Year 6.

Students must live in NSW at the start of the school year and be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or hold an eligible visa. Up to 20% of places can be offered under the Department's equity placement model.

Key dates

For Year 7 entry in 2027 (current Year 6):

For Year 7 entry in 2028 (current Year 5): based on recent years, expect applications to open in early November 2026 and close in February 2027, with the test in May 2027. Check the Department's key dates when they're released.

The Selective High School Placement Test

The test is computer-based and takes about two and a half hours, across four sections:

See the NSW selective schools test explained and thinking skills question types.

What score do you need for North Sydney Boys?

There's no fixed pass mark. Places are offered to the highest-ranked applicants who listed the school until they're filled, so the cut-off depends on each year's applicants. Entry scores haven't been officially published since 2021.

The last published minimum entry scores for North Sydney Boys were:

North Sydney Boys has consistently had one of the highest cut-offs in NSW, alongside James Ruse and Baulkham Hills. These scores come from the previous test format, so treat them as a guide to how competitive the school is, not a target. For comparison, the most competitive school, James Ruse, ranged from 246 to 250 over 2019 to 2021.

If your child narrowly misses out, they may be placed on a reserve list. See selective reserve lists and results explained.

How to prepare

Year 4 and early Year 5: read widely, including poetry and non-fiction; build number fluency; introduce thinking skills questions as puzzles.

Late Year 5: sit a first full, timed practice test to find the weakest section, and start regular timed writing with specific feedback.

Year 6, February to May: focus on the weakest section, sit two or three full mock tests a few weeks apart, and keep the final fortnight light.

NSW Selective practice tests

Our NSW Selective mock tests follow the current four-section format. Every multiple-choice question has a worked explanation, results are broken down by skill, and writing is marked by a human teacher.

• NSW Selective practice tests
• Free NSW Selective sample questions

These are independent practice materials, not official test papers, and they don't predict placement outcomes.

Frequently asked questions

Is North Sydney Boys the top school in NSW?

It ranked first in NSW for HSC results in 2023, 2024 and 2025, ahead of James Ruse Agricultural High School.

How many students does North Sydney Boys take in Year 7?

150 boys each year.

What is the North Sydney Boys entry score?

There's no fixed score. Places go to the highest-ranked applicants who listed the school until places are filled. Under the previous test format, the minimum entry score ranged from 225 to 234 out of 300 between 2016 and 2021. Entry scores haven't been officially published since 2021.

Do you have to live near North Sydney Boys to apply?

No. Selective places aren't based on where you live. You can list up to three selective schools anywhere in NSW, as long as your child lives in NSW at the start of the school year and meets the residency requirements.

When do North Sydney Boys offers come out?

Year 7 placement outcomes are released by the Department in Term 3 of Year 6.

Can you get into North Sydney Boys after Year 7?

Sometimes, but places are very limited and depend on vacancies. Later-year entry is run by the school, so check its enrolment page for the current process.

Other NSW selective schools

Families considering North Sydney Boys often also list:

• North Sydney Girls High School
• James Ruse Agricultural High School
• Normanhurst Boys High School
• Sydney Boys High School

See every school and its places in our guide to every NSW selective high school.

Applying for 2028 entry? Try free NSW Selective sample questions and see where your child stands.

Practice Tests & Exams is an independent provider and is not affiliated with North Sydney Boys High School or the NSW Department of Education. Information is from the Department, the school and published sources as of October 2026. Always check the school and Department websites for current details.