Why More Selective High Schools Now Do The HAST Exam

In New South Wales (NSW), some students may consider transferring to a different selective high school for various reasons. One of the assessments often used in the application process for higher-ranked selective schools is the Higher Ability Selective Test (HAST) exam, which is administered by ACER. This video highlights why the HAST exam is gaining traction among selective high schools for their transfer assessment process.
In this video, John explains why more selective high schools now have the HAST exam. Previously in 2023, 10 schools had this exam but now in 2024, there are 12 with the addition of Macquarie Fields High School and Ryde Secondary College.
- Contextual Benefits: Understand the benefits of transferring to a selective high school, from academic excellence to cost-effectiveness compared to private schools.
- The shift in Selection Processes: Discover why schools like Macquarie Fields and Ryde Secondary College have adopted the HAST test, moving toward a more uniform and transparent selection method.
- Increased Competition: Learn how the HAST test raises the bar, enlarges the pool of candidates, and thus demands thorough preparation to stand out.
- Predictions for the Future: Hear insights into why more schools may lean towards tests for a fairer and equitable selection process.
Transferring into a NSW Selective High School is in many ways more difficult than making it in for year 7 entry. However, it can also be seen as an opportunity for those who are driven. Personally, John had to try three times to transfer from Penrith High School to Girraween High School and this is not uncommon for students who successfully make it in. However, during his time of preparation and attempts, Bing's Academy did not exist.
Watch our last video: Final Preparation Tips for the 2024 NSW Selective Exam
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Disclaimer: The information and insights provided in this channel are based on our observations, experiences, and expertise in the field of education and are intended solely for informational and educational purposes. Bing's Academy is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the New South Wales Department of Education or any other official educational bodies. The content should not be considered as a guarantee of success in any exams, including the NSW Selective Exam, or as official advice. Every student's situation is unique, and outcomes may vary. For the most accurate, official, and up-to-date information, we strongly recommend referring to resources provided by the NSW Department of Education or other official educational institutions.
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[@AwaiznAshazedits]

hello bing, i would like to know what materials you would reccomend for the HAST exam, im aiming for girrawean btw. Also i was wondering if you could do a video about the edutest since alot of top selective schools do it

[@Koby3797]

Hi, sorry that this is a bit off topic, but I was considering an exchange year in France or possibly 6 months, would my selective school boot me out if I did? Would I have to repeat?

[@BingsAcademy]

6 months i dont think so but if it is an entire year, it would be possible. best to ask your school if you are seriously considering it. What you learn in France will be quite different compared to our NSW syllabus as you can imagine

[@Koby3797]

@@BingsAcademy thank you, I was thinking that too, but it’s just twice the “bang for my buck” if I do a year. Thanks

[@HabibDalal]

Hey Bing, I've got just a quick question I am sitting the Selective exam for 2024 and am aiming for Sydney Boys but I don't know if my results are good enough (mainly because most of my smart year 6 friends from last year didn't even get close). My averages for practise papers and Pre-uni STTC results usually range from 30-33 for Maths, 31-34 in Thinking skills, 23 for reading and 23-24 for writing. Is it realistic for me to get in? P.S. Your videos help really reassure me and have helped me to not feel nervous about the exam. Thanks a lot!

[@HabibDalal]

I was recommended Sydney Boys 1st choice, Baulkum Hills 2nd and Smiths hill 3rd for ASAT.

[@BingsAcademy]

good to hear! it is a tough one as I think there is still room to get better especially when it comes to your thinking skills and reading. But it depends on the day. If it is an easier test and the average is higher, you need to do even better. It is not about your raw score, it is about how much better you are compared to the other applicants doing this test

[@HabibDalal]

@@BingsAcademy Thanks for the advice!

[@itzlynnluv]

Idk if I told you this before but I got into Sydney Girls High School and your videos were (somehow) motivation :)

[@BingsAcademy]

omg amazing!! What year did you make it in?

[@stqrglare]

Hey John! I was just wondering, do the selective markers (or whoever puts the scores together) still look at school reports? In the ASAT it was out of 120 but I was just wondering since I do pre-uni and it is out of 100. As it is out of 120 in the real exam (I’m predicting), if they do not use school reports, what would I need to score to get into either NSGHS or SGHS? Thanks.

[@BingsAcademy]

Hey! It is only out of 100 now. School report mark was removed with this new selective exam about 3 years ago. Maths is weighted 25%, Reading is 25%, Thinking Skills is 35% and Writing is 15%. They removed it entirely as people who used to go to catholic or private schools were not given a school mark. So all of their mark depended on the exam while some students in public schools could come into the test with close to 20 marks already from just their reports.

[@stqrglare]

@@BingsAcademy ahh ok thanks! That makes so much more sense. Do you think as I am getting 80 - 87% overall, I have a chance of being accepted into one of the schools I mentioned earlier?

[@BingsAcademy]

@@stqrglare it really depends. if you got a 90% in writing but it is only worth 15%, it is not going to be as 'impactful' compared to a 90% in thinking skills which is worth 35%. I would want you to get closer to the 85% range in the exams especially for the thinking skills.

[@stqrglare]

@@BingsAcademy alright thanks!

[@karthkeyagudisay771]

Hi there, I have one question.What if my academics like my grades are just average.I got A in maths,B in Science and religion and C in PDHPE and Technology Mandatory and sadly for some reason D in History, arts and english.But lets just say I score really well in the HAST exam, like a 98%.Is there still chances that I can get into penrith in year 8 HAST?I also got an AMT certificate so that can help me.

[@BingsAcademy]

hey! honestly very little chance as your report is very weak. i would still give it a go but honestly you need to do a lot better if you plan on transferring. Just beacuse Penrith would have much higher standard than your current school!

[@karthkeyagudisay771]

@@BingsAcademyOk,Thanks for ur feedback but I have another question.What if I do really well in the HAST exam this year.Can I possibly make it this year?And I also have some extracurricular activities. And academics achievements as well.I am also applying for Normanhurst boys high school as well.For year 8 entry but I realised that Normanhurst doesn't do Hast but instead they do their own entrance exam.

[@BingsAcademy]

@@karthkeyagudisay771 yes like I said, there is always a chance but it will be very low. Nothing to lose, try your best and with a mixture of some luck, you could also make it in.

[@karthkeyagudisay771]

@@BingsAcademy Ty.And yes I agree with you and also I think the amount of competition matters as well because we need to know how many people are gonna be applying for that school.If competition is less then it will higher my chances of getting in but if competition is high then it will lower my chances of getting in.

[@KAZEX1]

@@BingsAcademy Hi john, i in year 9 and my report is all A's and 1 B in maths do you think that would help me and benefit me somewhat into getting into penrith selective from a christian private school!

[@LaurenEgan-ey8ot]

Hello Bing, I’m doing the Selective High School Test this year and your videos have helped with motivation and my studying however I am quite nervous if I do not get accepted into any school. Thank you!😁

[@BingsAcademy]

Hello! That is a perfectly normal feeling given it is such a short time to it. The Selective test is so competitive, it is about a 10% acceptance rate. This means only 1 in 10 people will get into a selective school. Rather than feeling nervous, the only thing you can control is trying your best so there is no regret. I got my fingers crossed for you! No matter the result, you can always try to transfer in year 7-10 to another school but it is more competitive. I moved from Penrith to Girraween myself as I wasn't 'smart' enough when I was in year 6 doing the test!

[@LaurenEgan-ey8ot]

Thank you so much Bing! After reading this comment, I feel more confident knowing that there is chances to be accepted into a Selective High School in the next few years!😁

[@LaurenEgan-ey8ot]

Sorry to reply again Bing but do you have any final studying tips for the Selective High School Test since it in a few weeks? If so, I would gladly use the tip for studying before the test.😁

[@YenaHong-w8r]

Hi Bing, can you make a video about the type of questions or like format in the HAST test, especially for maths??? Love your videos btw, very helpful!!

[@BingsAcademy]

I can't share too much as we are also tutoring students in the subject. But just know that they do not usually have complex math concepts rather they are pretty basic. Instead, they are all worded math problems that focus on application. Sometimes they are on scientific concepts but you don't really need science knowledge to solve, just maths,

[@Utpal-u8y]

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[@selectiveprep-wg8nm]

Hey John. I will be sitting the selective test this year and I just wanted to know if you had any tips since it is literally in a week and a bit! 12 more days to go!! Also, I am aiming for North Sydney Girls High School and my average right now is 31 in maths, 33 in thinking skills, 23 in reading and 23 in writing. Do you think that will be enough or should I try and get my marks up a little bit?

[@BingsAcademy]

goodluck! It is always hard to guess from a raw score but let's pretend that this is an average across a more challenging exam rather than an easy one. I would want to push thinking skills and reading more. There is not much room to get a lot better in maths and writing as you are already nearing the top. Thinking skills is worth 35% and since there is still 7 questions to get marks from, this is going to be a huge decider for you! If you are getting 23/25 in writing, you will likely be in the top 10% already.

[@selectiveprep-wg8nm]

@@BingsAcademy okay thank you!

[@hislayy-ed7tg]

Hey, The selective test is in 4 days! So soon. I was just wondering if you had any last minute tips for this year, it’s ok if not. (Anything I should look out for or anything I could do to be prepared). Thanks in advance.

[@BingsAcademy]

Best of luck! I will have a video out soon about making the most out of annotations as the exam still done on paper. Whether it is underlining or marking questions to come back at a later time. Try your best, that is all you can really do and check the time carefully as they do not give any time warnings.

[@hislayy-ed7tg]

@@BingsAcademy thank you so much John!

[@thund0r976]

that's interesting. I got in for 8-12 entry last yr for mfhs, objectively, the exam wasn't difficult, but hast is probably way harder.

[@thund0r976]

Heard about it last year when I was searching how to get in to Sydney boys (didn't do it in the end) , if I'm correct Sydney boys doesn't use hast right

[@thund0r976]

also just in case I might do hast this yr (doubt it), does school preference really matter at all for chances of passing?

[@BingsAcademy]

nice! I don't know how difficult that exam is as I never did it myself but I guess if it was too simple, that is a reason why they moved to the HAST exam for 2024.

[@BingsAcademy]

school preferences won't matter as you can get multiple offers from different schools. This is different compared to in year 6 where you can only get one offer. In saying that, you can still only apply and transfer to 3 schools. Yes correct, Sydney Boys does not do HAST either

[@chamee7]

Thx this is really helpful

[@BingsAcademy]

Glad it helped !

[@kirtipande8685]

Good to know!

[@BingsAcademy]

:) :D