James Ruse Agricultural High School: selective entry for Year 7 in 2028
James Ruse Agricultural High School in Carlingford is a fully selective co-educational agricultural high school with day places only. It is widely regarded as the hardest NSW selective school to enter, and with 120 places its intake is small, so offers go to a very small share of applicants.
An independent guide by EagleTeach, based on the school's published admissions pages. We are not affiliated with James Ruse Agricultural High School; always confirm details with the school.
Entry points and deadlines
James Ruse takes 120 students (60 boys and 60 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
- ✓ Aim for a score well above what most other schools need: with only 120 places, small differences in the total decide offers.
- ✓ List realistic second and third choices. Offers follow your order of preference, and a strong score that misses James Ruse can still win a place at your next choice.
- ✓ Thinking Skills rewards practice with unfamiliar problem types; start timed sets in Term 4 of Year 5.
- ✓ Practise typed writing in 30 minutes: the test is on computer, so planning and typing speed both count.
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 James Ruse have?＋
120 for entry in 2027: 60 boys and 60 girls, day places only.
Is James Ruse co-educational?＋
Yes. It is a co-educational agricultural high school, with equal places for boys and girls.
Is there a minimum score for James Ruse?＋
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