Normanhurst Boys High School is a fast-rising selective boys' school on Sydney's Upper North Shore. With rapidly increasing demand and improving academic outcomes, it is now widely considered alongside the most prestigious selective schools in the state. Many families view it as a strong alternative to North Sydney Boys with a shorter North Shore commute.
Fast-rising boys' school now treated as top-tier by many North Shore families. Offers a compelling alternative to North Sydney Boys for families in the Upper North Shore and Hills District fringe.
Key Features
Languages: Japanese, Chinese
Estimated Cutoff Scores
How Normanhurst Boys compares under the old and new test systems.
Entry Requirements
- 1Sit the NSW Selective High School Placement Test (May 2026)
- 2List Normanhurst Boys as a preference on your application
- 3Score competitively across all four modules: Reading, Maths, Thinking Skills, and Writing
- 4Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
How to Prepare
A structured approach to preparing for Normanhurst Boys entry.
Preparing for Normanhurst Boys means targeting the top band in every section. The estimated cutoff scores place this school among the most competitive in NSW, so balanced excellence is essential.
Assess Current Level
Target Your Weaknesses
Master Time Management
Polish Your Writing
Simulate Exam Day
Focus on advanced Thinking Skills strategies, timed writing under exam conditions, and reading comprehension at the highest difficulty level. AI writing feedback can help identify exactly where to improve your argument structure and expression.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from parents about Normanhurst Boys.
Normanhurst Boys is estimated to require scores in the range of 98–103 out of 120 on the new computer-based test format (equivalent to approximately 215–222 out of 300 on the old system). These are estimates, as NSW DoE no longer publishes official cut-off scores. Cutoffs have been rising as the school's popularity grows.
Yes. Normanhurst Boys is widely recognized as one of the fastest-rising selective schools in NSW in terms of demand and competitiveness. Parent and tutoring-market discussions consistently identify it as a school where entry scores are trending upward, reflecting growing first-preference pressure.
North Sydney Boys (Tier 1) has higher estimated cutoffs and a longer-established elite reputation. Normanhurst Boys (Tier 2) is rapidly closing the gap in academic outcomes and demand. For Upper North Shore families, Normanhurst Boys offers a shorter commute and a school culture that many parents describe as more welcoming and community-oriented.
Normanhurst Boys offers approximately 120 Year 7 places each year. Demand has been increasing significantly, making competition for places very strong.
Normanhurst Boys is located close to Normanhurst Station on the T1 North Shore Line, making it accessible by train from across the Upper North Shore, Hornsby, and Ku-ring-gai areas. For families in these areas, it offers a significantly shorter commute compared to North Sydney Boys in Crows Nest.