Independent Review Following NSW Selective School Test Disaster

An independent review into the administration of this year’s opportunity class (OC) and selective high school testing across NSW has been ordered after “significant disruptions” left around 20,000 students having their tests postponed. 

Earlier this month, thousands of students who had planned to sit exams for selective schools and opportunity classes at Randwick, Canterbury and Sydney Olympic Park were significantly disrupted when parents came to pick up their children from the morning sessions. 

NSW Police confirmed the riot squad were called to manage out-of-control crows at the exam venues. At Canterbury Park Racecourse, 1300 students were trying to leave the venue with their parents, while another 1300 students and their parents attempted to enter to complete their exams. 

Due to the logistical issues, and high foot traffic, children waiting to sit the afternoon session were told the exams had been cancelled. 

Last week, the Department of Education informed parents of children who took exams at the three affected venues that their children would have the opportunity to re-sit the test over the next two weekends.

Students who sat the exam on the original date would be allowed to retain the higher score from either attempt. Those who did not take the exam initially will not have this option.

The decision to postpone the tests sparked outrage among many parents, with some arguing that it provided students with an unfair advantage.

Independent review into OC and selective school tests underway

Both OC and selective school tests were rescheduled and held “successfully” over the past two weekends (May 17, 18 and 24, 25).

Education academic Dr Michele Bruniges AM has been selected to independently review the issues that led to the postponement and rescheduling of the tests. Dr Bruniges AM is a former teacher and recently held the position of Secretary of Education in the Australian Government. 

She was Director-General of the NSW Department of Education and Communities from 2011 to 2016, and is the current Chair of the Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership. 

Dr Bruniges AM has also chaired the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) Governing Board since 2017. 

The review will: 

• identify the challenges faced at testing venues in 2025 and why these occurred
• provide recommendations on how to prevent any repeat of the issues in future tests
• assess the department’s delivery of the rescheduled and re-sit tests
• provide recommendations on how the testing should be implemented in future years.

Dr Bruniges AM will deliver her report to the NSW Government for its consideration by mid-July 2025.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Prue Car described the disruption that occurred at all three large testing centres as unacceptable. 

“That’s why I have ordered an independent review to ensure that it does not happen again and determine the path forward informed by expert advice,” MP Car said.