Selective schools in Victoria: which pathway fits your child?
Independent. Not affiliated with the Victorian Department of Education, ACER, Edutest or any school named here.
Victoria selects at three points: SEAL classes inside schools from Year 7, four selective entry high schools at Year 9 through one ACER exam, and John Monash at Year 10. The next exam is expected in June 20271Vic Education · 12 October 2026 · Expected.
Which Victorian pathway fits your child?
It depends mostly on your child's year. SEAL comes first, in Year 7; the selective entry exam is in Year 8; John Monash takes students from Year 10.
| Pathway | Entry year | Who runs entry | Next date |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEAL classes | Year 7, within a school | Each school, after a Year 7 place there 2Keilor Downs College · 13 October 2026 · Published | Set by each school |
| Selective entry high schools | Year 9 | ACER, for the Department1Vic Education · 12 October 2026 · Published | Applications March 20273Melbourne High · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| John Monash Science School | Year 10, and some Year 11 | The school, with tests administered by Edutest4JMSS · 12 October 2026 · Published | Not published4JMSS · 12 October 2026 · Not published |
These are the government routes. Specialist arts, science and sports settings also select students, and they are listed further down.
Which year is my child's?
Find your child's year in 2026, then the row. Each pathway has its own test, so a child can try more than one.
| Your child's year in 2026 | What comes up next |
|---|---|
| Year 5 | SEAL classes, through Year 7 enrolment in Year 6. Check your preferred schools' pages. |
| Year 6 | The SEAL tests on this page for Year 7 in 2027 have passed. Some schools test again for Year 9. |
| Year 7 | The selective entry exam for Year 9 entry in 2028: applications open in March 20273Melbourne High · 12 October 2026 · Published. |
| Year 8 | For Year 9 entry in 2027, principal's discretion outcomes are notified on 15 October 20265ACER · 12 October 2026 · Published. Concerns go to the principal by 22 October 20261Vic Education · 13 October 2026 · Published. Keilor Downs College's Year 9 SEAL applications are due by 4 November 20262Keilor Downs College · 13 October 2026 · Published, for its test on 11 November 20262Keilor Downs College · 13 October 2026 · Published. For 2028 entry at Year 10, John Monash Science School applications close in May, for entry the following year6JMSS · 13 October 2026 · Published. |
| Year 9 | John Monash Science School, for 2028 entry at Year 11. It takes about 306JMSS · 13 October 2026 · Published students at Year 11 each year. Applications close in May, for entry the following year6JMSS · 13 October 2026 · Published. |
A child sits the selective entry exam once only. 1Vic Education · 12 October 2026 · Published
When are the next Victorian dates?
The selective entry exam for Year 9 entry in 2028 is expected in June 20271Vic Education · 12 October 2026 · Expected. Before that, the principal's discretion and SEAL steps for Year 9 entry in 2027 finish.
15 October 20265ACER · 12 October 2026 · Published
Selective entry, principal's discretion outcomes
For Year 9 entry in 2027. 5ACER · 12 October 2026 · Published
22 October 20261Vic Education · 13 October 2026 · Published
Selective entry, last day to email the principal with concerns
31 October 20267JMSS · 13 October 2026 · Published
John Monash Science School, offers final
For 2027 entry. 7JMSS · 13 October 2026 · Published
4 November 20262Keilor Downs College · 13 October 2026 · Published
Keilor Downs College, Year 9 SEAL applications close
Register at the college office. 2Keilor Downs College · 13 October 2026 · Published
11 November 20262Keilor Downs College · 13 October 2026 · Published
Keilor Downs College, Year 9 SEAL test
For Year 9 in 2027. 2Keilor Downs College · 13 October 2026 · Published
March 20273Melbourne High · 12 October 2026 · Published
Selective entry applications open
For Year 9 entry in 2028, according to Melbourne High School. 3Melbourne High · 12 October 2026 · Published
June 2027 Expected1Vic Education · 12 October 2026 · Expected
Selective entry exam, expected
The exact day is not published8ACER · 12 October 2026 · Not published.
What are the selective entry high schools?
They are 41Vic Education · 12 October 2026 · Published government schools for academically strong students in Years 9 to 12. About 1,0001Vic Education · 12 October 2026 · Published Year 9 places come up each year, through one exam sat in Year 8.
| School | What kind of school |
|---|---|
| Melbourne High School | a boys' school in South Yarra1Vic Education · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| The Mac.Robertson Girls' High School | the girls' school among the four9Mac.Rob · 12 October 2026 · Published, in Melbourne1Vic Education · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Nossal High School | a co-educational school in Berwick1Vic Education · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Suzanne Cory High School | a co-educational school in Werribee1Vic Education · 12 October 2026 · Published |
Most places go on exam rank: 85%1Vic Education · 12 October 2026 · Published are standard merit places. Read the full guide to the exam.
How are the other places offered?
Through two smaller categories. Up to 10%1Vic Education · 12 October 2026 · Published of places go under equity consideration, on exam performance plus the equity conditions. That covers families with a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, or Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander1Vic Education · 12 October 2026 · Published.
Up to 5%1Vic Education · 12 October 2026 · Published of places are offered at each principal's discretion. An invitation to apply that way is not an offer of a place1Vic Education · 13 October 2026 · Published. A cap applies to standard and principal's discretion places: no more than 4%1Vic Education · 12 October 2026 · Published of students from one school get them.
What is the exam like?
It's a paper exam, with answers shaded in a supplied answer booklet10ACER · 12 October 2026 · Published. The knowledge needed is no more than the Year 8 curriculum1Vic Education · 12 October 2026 · Published.
It's meant to stretch every child. ACER says half the questions correct is not unusual10ACER · 12 October 2026 · Published, and many children don't finish. Afterwards there's no access to the tests or individual scores5ACER · 12 October 2026 · Published.
How is John Monash Science School different?
It is a specialist science school for Years 10 to 12 on Monash University's Clayton campus11Vic Education · 13 October 2026 · Published. It sets its own tests, unique to JMSS and changed each year6JMSS · 12 October 2026 · Published, so its entry has nothing to do with the selective entry exam.
students at Year 10 each year, about
students at Year 11 each year, about
Selection has two stages: written tests, then a group activity and interview for those shortlisted6JMSS · 12 October 2026 · Published. For 2027 entry, the Year 10 test was on 13 June 20264JMSS · 12 October 2026 · Published, and dates for 2028 entry are not published4JMSS · 12 October 2026 · Not published. Read about John Monash entry.
What is SEAL?
SEAL stands for Select Entry Accelerated Learning: an accelerated class inside an ordinary government school, from Year 7. There is no statewide SEAL test, and a current official list of SEAL schools is not published11Vic Education · 13 October 2026 · Not published.
At most of the schools checked, your child first needs a Year 7 place there. Keilor Downs College, for example, opens SEAL applications only after a mainstream place at the college is offered2Keilor Downs College · 13 October 2026 · Published. Tests differ: Keilor Downs uses ACER HAST Test 4 (Junior Secondary)2Keilor Downs College · 13 October 2026 · Published, and University High uses Edutest. 12University High · 13 October 2026 · Published
Read how SEAL entry works, with each school's test, fee and dates.
What other selective settings are there?
The Department lists specialist settings with their own selection criteria, beyond the selective entry high schools. 11Vic Education · 13 October 2026 · Published Ask each one how it chooses students.
Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School
It is a selective entry school for talented dancers, musicians, theatre and visual art students in Years 7 to 1211Vic Education · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Elizabeth Blackburn Sciences
It is a University High School campus for Years 11 and 12, focused on the sciences and mathematics11Vic Education · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Maribyrnong Sports Academy
It is a selective entry sports program at Maribyrnong College for Years 7 to 1211Vic Education · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Centre for Higher Education Studies
It runs programs for high-achieving senior secondary students in Victorian government schools11Vic Education · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Can families from interstate or overseas apply?
For the selective entry exam, yes. The rules are the same for families living in Victoria, interstate or overseas1Vic Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, but fee-paying international students can't apply1Vic Education · 12 October 2026 · Published.
Children living and studying interstate can ask to sit remotely, with evidence. It cost an extra A$21513ACER · 13 October 2026 · Published last round. 1Vic Education · 13 October 2026 · Published
Requests for other reasons, such as family holidays or special occasions1Vic Education · 13 October 2026 · Published, can't be accommodated.
Moving from NSW? Victoria selects at Year 9, not Year 7. Read about the NSW Selective test.
Does my child need coaching?
ACER says there is no need to practise or revise10ACER · 12 October 2026 · Published for the selective entry exam, and it publishes free sample questions. 10ACER · 12 October 2026 · Published John Monash Science School doesn't support or endorse any tutoring companies, saying they aren't essential4JMSS · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Each test is one morning. Keep the weeks before it ordinary, with sleep and time for things your child enjoys.
Questions parents ask about selective schools in Victoria
Which Victorian selective school is best?
We don't rank schools. Each one publishes its own programs; read them and think about the daily trip and your child's interests.
Do Victorian selective schools charge fees?
They are government schools, but the entry tests carry fees. Last round, the selective entry exam cost A$17513ACER · 13 October 2026 · Published, and it is free with a health care or pensioner card, and for First Nations families1Vic Education · 12 October 2026 · Published.
Can my child try more than one pathway?
Yes. A SEAL student can still sit the selective entry exam in Year 8, and Year 9 students can apply to John Monash. 1Vic Education · 12 October 2026 · Published
Do other states have selective tests?
Yes, most states run their own, at different ages and on different dates. Compare selective tests in every state.