Hornsby Girls High School: selective entry for Year 7 in 2028
Hornsby Girls High School is a fully selective girls' school on Sydney's Upper North Shore, with 120 Year 7 places. Entry is decided by the Selective High School Placement Test.
An independent guide by EagleTeach, based on the school's published admissions pages. We are not affiliated with Hornsby Girls High School; always confirm details with the school.
Entry points and deadlines
Hornsby Girls takes 120 girls in Year 7 through the NSW selective high schools process. Families apply when their child is at the end of Year 5 or the start of Year 6, listing their preferred selective schools in order.
For Year 7 entry in 2027, applications ran from November 2025 to February 2026. The Department had not published the 2028 dates when we checked; on the same pattern, applications open in early November 2026.
Testing
Places are offered on the Selective High School Placement Test, sat in Year 6 on computer at a test centre. It has four components, each worth 25%: Reading (17 questions, 45 minutes), Mathematical Reasoning (35 questions, 40 minutes), Thinking Skills (40 questions, 40 minutes) and Writing (one typed response, 30 minutes). From 2026 students living overseas must return to NSW to sit it.
There is no published minimum score. The score needed for an offer depends on how many students apply, how they perform and how many offers are declined. Up to 20% of places are held for high-potential students from under-represented groups, and from 2027 entry the Department offers equal numbers of places to boys and girls.
Year 7 entry in 2028: expected timeline (last cycle: test 1-2 May 2026, results 19 August 2026)
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| Early November 2026 (expected) | Applications open for Year 7 entry in 2028 |
| Late February 2027 (expected) | Applications close |
| Early May 2027 (expected) | Selective High School Placement Test (one day per student) |
| August 2027 (expected) | Results and offers |
| Early December 2027 (expected) | Last day for reserve-list offers |
How to prepare
- ✓ A smaller intake of 120 means a high total is needed; strengthen the weakest component first.
- ✓ North Shore families often rank Hornsby Girls alongside North Sydney Girls; decide the order before applications close.
- ✓ Reading practice should include poetry and longer extracts as well as short texts.
- ✓ Practise typed writing regularly so the 30-minute task feels routine.
Need help with the tests? one-to-one selective test tutoring in Sydney, how NSW selective offers and scores work or OC test dates.
Common questions
How many Year 7 places does Hornsby Girls have?＋
120 girls for entry in 2027.
Is there a minimum score for Hornsby Girls?＋
No. The NSW Department of Education does not set or publish minimum entry scores; the score needed changes each year with applicant numbers, results and declined offers.
When is the selective test for Year 7 entry in 2028?＋
Expected in early May 2027. In the last cycle the test ran on 1-2 May 2026, with results on 19 August 2026.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources on 2026-10-06.
- NSW Department of Education: selective high schools and Year 7 places
- NSW Department of Education: selective high school application process and key dates
- NSW Department of Education: get ready for the Selective High School Placement Test
- NSW Department of Education: selective high school outcomes, reserve lists and appeals