Victorian Selective Entry · Updated 11 May 2026
Victorian Selective Entry High Schools 2026: Full Guide, Test, Schools + Prep
Victoria has only 4 selective entry high schools (vs 47 in NSW) — Melbourne High, Mac.Robertson Girls\', Suzanne Cory and Nossal. Year 9 entry via the Edutest examination. This is the comprehensive 2026 guide: test format, all 4 schools, key dates, prep strategy, and how to decide between selective + private.
Key takeaways
- 4 Victorian selective high schools: Melbourne High (boys), Mac.Robertson (girls), Suzanne Cory + Nossal (co-ed).
- Year 9 entry — test sits in Year 8 (mid-June). Significantly different to NSW Year 7 entry.
- ~5,500-6,000 applications for ~1,050 places. ~17-19% acceptance rate (heavily concentrated to Melbourne High + Mac.Robertson).
- Edutest 5-section test: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comp, Maths, Written Expression. $120 test fee.
- Mac.Robertson + Melbourne High consistently produce highest median ATARs in Victoria. Zero tuition cost.
| Provider ⇅ | Location ⇅ | Format ⇅ | Year 9 places ⇅ | Notes ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melbourne High School | South Yarra | Boys, Year 9 entry | ~330 places | Highest median ATAR in Victoria; established 1905 |
| The Mac.Robertson Girls\' High School | Melbourne CBD | Girls, Year 9 entry | ~300 places | Top-performing girls school; established 1934 |
| Suzanne Cory High School | Werribee | Co-ed, Year 9 entry | ~210 places | Newer (opened 2011); strong outer-west option |
| Nossal High School | Berwick | Co-ed, Year 9 entry | ~210 places | Newer (opened 2010); strong outer-east option |
All 4 schools are tuition-free Victorian government schools. Year 9 entry only (Year 10 entry has limited additional places annually).
| Provider ⇅ | Questions + time ⇅ | What it tests ⇅ | Notes ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Reasoning | ~40 questions, 30 minutes | Vocabulary, sentence completion, analogies | Tests language reasoning + reading inference |
| Quantitative Reasoning | ~35 questions, 30 minutes | Number patterns, mathematical reasoning | Beyond Year 8 curriculum; problem-solving focus |
| Reading Comprehension | ~30 questions, 30 minutes | Multiple passages, inference, literary analysis | Includes fiction + non-fiction passages |
| Mathematics | ~30 questions, 30 minutes | Curriculum + extended problem-solving | Higher difficulty than Year 8 textbook problems |
| Written Expression | 1 task, 40 minutes | Narrative or persuasive writing prompt | Marked against detailed rubric; cohesion + ideas weighted |
Edutest published format guide available at edutest.com.au. Test runs ~2.5 hours plus breaks. Quantitative + Verbal Reasoning sections weight reasoning over content recall.
| Provider ⇅ | Date ⇅ | Where ⇅ | Notes ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applications open | Mid-March 2026 | Online via Education Victoria | $120 test fee |
| Applications close | Mid-April 2026 | Strict deadline | Late entries occasionally accepted with fee |
| Test date | Mid-June 2026 | Single sitting; held at test centres | Conducted by Edutest on behalf of DET |
| Results released | August 2026 | Via online portal + email | Offer + score range disclosed |
| School commencement | Year 9 of 2027 | Standard Victorian school year start | Some schools require July transition session |
Always check the Department of Education Victoria website (vic.gov.au/education) for confirmed dates each year.
The 4 schools — honest comparison
Melbourne High School (boys, South Yarra) — established 1905, boys-only since opening. Highest median ATAR in Victoria year after year (typically 95+). Strong rowing + sport tradition. Demanding academic culture. Central location accessible from across metropolitan Melbourne by train + tram.
Mac.Robertson Girls\' High School (girls, CBD) — established 1934, girls-only. Consistently produces top median ATARs (typically 93+). Strong music + arts programs alongside academic intensity. CBD location with excellent public transport.
Suzanne Cory High School (co-ed, Werribee) — opened 2011 as 4th selective. Strong outer-west option reducing commute for students from Werribee, Geelong, western suburbs. Median ATAR typically 88-91. Slightly less academically intense than the "big 2" but still very strong.
Nossal High School (co-ed, Berwick) — opened 2010 as 3rd selective. Strong outer-east option reducing commute for students from Berwick, Pakenham, South-East suburbs. Median ATAR typically 87-90. Similar profile to Suzanne Cory.
Selective vs private — Victorian-specific comparison
Victoria has more highly-competitive private schools than other states (Scotch, Melbourne Grammar, MLC, Wesley, Geelong Grammar, Brighton Grammar, Carey, Caulfield, etc.) — many with strong academic profiles. Honest comparison vs selective:
- Academic outcomes: Mac.Robertson + Melbourne High typically produce highest median ATARs in Victoria. Top private schools (Scotch, Melbourne Grammar) achieve excellent but typically slightly lower median ATARs at much higher cost.
- Cost over 4 years (Year 9-12): Selective = $0. Top private = $180,000-$200,000.
- Co-curricular: Private decisively wins — Scotch + Melbourne Grammar have full rowing programs, ensemble music, drama, international tours. Selective schools have decent but more limited co-curricular.
- Pastoral care: Private generally smaller classes, more wellbeing staff, dedicated chaplaincy. Selective has good pastoral care but academic intensity dominates.
- Sport culture: APS schools (Scotch, MGS, Wesley, Caulfield, Geelong College, etc.) have rich sport tradition + facilities. Selective schools have sport programs but not at APS level.
- Religious + values framework: Private schools typically Christian (Presbyterian, Anglican, Catholic) — selective is secular government school.
For Victorian academically-strong students, the genuine optimal pathway depends on family preferences + financial situation:
- Pure ATAR focus + budget-conscious: Selective is unbeatable. Mac.Rob + Melbourne High dominate.
- Wanting elite co-curricular + financial capacity for fees: Top APS private schools.
- Wanting selective academic peer culture + budget-conscious: Suzanne Cory or Nossal if location works.
- Wanting specific religious framework: Private school with matched religious affiliation.
Realistic Edutest prep strategy
- Start in Year 7. 18-24 months prep beats 6 months cramming. Year 7 Term 4 onwards is ideal start.
- Edutest-specific practice papers. Generic exam prep doesn\'t cover Edutest format quirks. Get Edutest practice books + use Edutest-specific tutoring.
- Heavy reading. Verbal Reasoning + Reading Comprehension sections favour wide readers. Aim 30+ minutes daily diverse non-fiction + fiction.
- Mathematical reasoning, not just maths. Olympiad problems, AMC, Mathematica problem sets — focus on reasoning patterns rather than topic memorisation.
- Writing with rubric feedback. Edutest writing rubric weights idea clarity + cohesion. Get sample-essay feedback from tutors familiar with Edutest scoring.
- Mock test discipline. 6-8 full-length mocks under timed conditions through Year 8. Don\'t under-estimate time pressure.
- Manage test-day anxiety. Sleep hygiene, breakfast routine, on-the-day mindset prep matters as much as content.
After the offer — Year 9 transition
If your child receives an offer:
- Most schools require a July-August orientation session + sometimes a "settling in" course before Year 9 starts.
- The Year 8 → Year 9 transition is significant — academic intensity steps up + peer cohort changes completely.
- Some students struggle initially with the more competitive environment + dropped relative position (top of Year 8 cohort → middle of Year 9 selective cohort).
- Most adjust within 6-12 months + thrive academically.
Common questions
What\'s different about Victorian selective entry vs NSW?
Three key differences: (1) Year 9 entry (vs NSW Year 7), so students sit the test in Year 8, (2) Only 4 selective schools in Victoria vs 47 in NSW, (3) Test designed + administered by Edutest (commercial provider) vs NSW Education Department directly. Both systems produce top-performing schools but Victoria is much more competitive due to limited places.
Which Melbourne suburbs do the selective schools serve?
Melbourne High (South Yarra) + Mac.Robertson Girls\' (CBD) serve the entire metropolitan area — most students travel 30-60 minutes daily. Suzanne Cory (Werribee) primarily serves outer-west + Geelong region but accepts from anywhere. Nossal (Berwick) serves outer-east + South-East. Travel distance is a real consideration — many families with strong students at Suzanne Cory + Nossal value the commute reduction even at slightly lower academic intensity.
How competitive is the test?
Highly. ~5,500-6,000 applications typically for ~1,050 places (across all 4 schools). Acceptance rate ~17-19%. Melbourne High + Mac.Robertson are particularly competitive — top-tier scores often required. Suzanne Cory + Nossal slightly less competitive due to location preference filtering some candidates out.
Is Edutest the same as the NSW Selective Test?
No — different provider, different format. Edutest is a commercial education testing company that runs the Victorian Selective Test on behalf of the Department of Education. The format is structurally similar (multiple choice + writing) but specific questions, timing, scoring methodology differ. Practice materials should be Victoria-specific (Edutest practice papers, Pre-Uni Edutest series) rather than NSW Selective Test materials.
Can I prep my child for Edutest?
Yes — and most successful candidates have. Common approach: 12-24 months prep starting Year 7, including weekly tutoring, regular practice tests, focused work on reasoning sections (verbal + quantitative), writing development with rubric feedback. Cost: $4,000-$15,000 over 12-24 months. Major prep providers: Pre-Uni (largest), Cyberschool, Pegasus, Edutest itself (own practice papers + courses). Online + face-to-face options.
Should I apply to all 4 schools or just preferences?
Apply to all 4. Application is single + fee covers test for all 4 schools. You rank preferences in application. If your top preference doesn\'t offer, you may receive offer at #2, 3, or 4 — better to have all options than miss out. Some families with strong students at Melbourne High preference Mac.Robertson #2 + Suzanne Cory #3 to maximize chance of any offer.
Can I appeal if my child doesn\'t get an offer?
Limited appeal pathway exists for genuine procedural concerns (test conditions, special considerations not properly accommodated, etc.). Rarely successful for "I think my child should have gotten in" appeals. Better strategy: prepare for next year if Year 9 deadline missed, or consider Year 10/11 entry windows (less competitive but limited places). Some students re-sit the test if they were ill on test day.
How do Victorian selective schools compare to top private schools academically?
Mac.Robertson Girls\' + Melbourne High consistently produce top median ATARs in Victoria — typically higher than any private school. Suzanne Cory + Nossal produce strong ATARs but slightly below the "big 2" selectives. Top private schools (e.g. Scotch College, Melbourne Grammar, MLC, Wesley) produce excellent ATARs but at much higher cost. Honest comparison: top selective wins on academic outcomes + cost; top private wins on co-curricular breadth + pastoral care.
What if we live too far to attend a selective school?
Public transport from across Melbourne is generally feasible for Melbourne High + Mac.Robertson (CBD location). Suzanne Cory + Nossal are harder to reach from across the city. If commute would exceed 90 minutes daily, consider: (a) family relocation closer to a selective school, (b) private school with strong academics closer to home, (c) public comprehensive school + private tutoring for ATAR push. Many strong students attend non-selective schools + still achieve excellent ATARs.
Does the test favour Year 8 maths students who\'ve learned VCE-level content early?
Partially. Quantitative Reasoning + Mathematics sections include problems beyond Year 8 curriculum. Students who\'ve been exposed to early Year 9-10 maths concepts perform better. However, the test rewards REASONING ability more than memorised techniques — students who think mathematically (not just calculate) outperform those who\'ve memorised more advanced procedures. Strong general mathematical aptitude beats pure curriculum acceleration.
Should we consider a selective school + private school dual application?
Yes — many academically-strong families do this for optionality. ACER scholarship tests typically run March-May (some private schools), Edutest Victorian Selective in June. Schedule allows both. Some families ultimately accept private (with scholarship) over selective despite higher cost — for co-curricular breadth + cultural fit. Others prioritise selective even with private scholarship offers — for academic intensity + cost savings.
What about Year 7 + Year 10 selective entry?
Year 9 is the primary entry point. Year 10 entry is available for limited places at each school (typically 5-20 places per school annually). Process: separate Year 10 entry test, generally similar format but at higher level (Year 9 content). Year 7 selective entry is NOT available in Victoria (different to NSW). Some private schools have Year 7 entry pathways including their own scholarship tests if you want a selective-equivalent academic experience earlier.
Next step
For ATAR + scaling specifically, read our ATAR + scaling guide. For private alternatives in Victoria, see our Melbourne private school fees guide.