Test Academy Reviews

Selective school · Inner West

Fort Street High School: Selective Entry & How to Prepare

A clear guide to Fort Street High School (Petersham, Inner West) — what kind of school it is, how entry works through the NSW Selective High School Placement Test, and the most effective way to prepare.

Fort Street High School at a glance

Location
Petersham, Inner West
Type
Fully selective
Enrolment
Co-educational
Year levels
Year 7–12
Entry test
NSW Selective High School Placement Test

Fort Street High School is a fully selective, co-educational school in Petersham in Sydney's Inner West. It is known for its long heritage, distinctive culture and a broad academic and creative program.

Reputation and results

Fort Street High School is one of the most historic selective schools in NSW and maintains a strong academic reputation across the Inner West. It is a popular choice for families seeking a co-educational selective option, and demand for places is consistently high.

How entry works

Places at Fort Street High School are offered through the NSW Selective High School Placement Test. Students sit the test in Year 6 (for Year 7 entry), list their preferred schools in order, and receive at most one initial offer based on performance and those preferences. For the full mechanics — sections, timing and how placement is decided — see our guide to the Selective test.

How to prepare for Fort Street High School

Because entry is relative and competitive, the families who do best prepare in a way that mirrors the real exam: timed, on a screen, with every mistake reviewed properly. Test Academy’s online platform recreates that environment, marks instantly, and gives the kind of detailed writing feedback that few other providers offer.

  • Build durable skills in literacy and numeracy over time rather than cramming near the test date.
  • List your preferences in real order of fit, as placement depends partly on the order you choose.
  • Be cautious of any online 'rank' or 'cut-off', since the Department of Education releases none.

Explore realistic practice tests Read parent reviews

Frequently asked questions

How do you get into Fort Street High School?

Entry is through the NSW Selective High School Placement Test, which students sit in Year 6 (for Year 7 entry). You list Fort Street High School among your school preferences when you apply through the NSW Department of Education, and offers are made on combined test performance and the order of your preferences. There is no published pass mark.

Do you need tutoring to get into Fort Street High School?

Tutoring isn't compulsory, but Fort Street High School is highly competitive, so genuine familiarity with the on-screen test format and steady practice with good feedback make a real difference. Many families build that online rather than through weekly classes.

What is the best way to prepare for Fort Street High School?

Practise in the real computer-based format, review every wrong answer with a worked explanation, and get specific feedback on writing. Test Academy’s platform is built to do exactly this, which is why we rate it the strongest preparation option we’ve reviewed in Sydney.