Test Academy Reviews

Selective school · Lower North Shore

North Sydney Boys High School: Selective Entry & How to Prepare

A clear guide to North Sydney Boys High School (Crows Nest, Lower North Shore) — what kind of school it is, how entry works through the NSW Selective High School Placement Test, and the most effective way to prepare.

North Sydney Boys High School at a glance

Location
Crows Nest, Lower North Shore
Type
Fully selective
Enrolment
Boys
Year levels
Year 7–12
Entry test
NSW Selective High School Placement Test

North Sydney Boys High School is a fully selective school for boys, located at Crows Nest on the Lower North Shore. It offers a demanding academic program alongside a wide range of sport and co-curricular activities.

Reputation and results

North Sydney Boys High School is one of the most highly regarded selective schools in the state, with a long record of excellent HSC results. Its reputation draws strong demand from families across Sydney, and places are among the most competitive available.

How entry works

Places at North Sydney Boys 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 North Sydney Boys 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.

  • Develop genuine depth in literacy and numeracy early rather than relying on short bursts of preparation.
  • Think carefully about preference order; this school is one of up to three choices and order matters.
  • Be wary of so-called cut-off scores online, as none are officially published.

Explore realistic practice tests Read parent reviews

Frequently asked questions

How do you get into North Sydney Boys High School?

Entry is through the NSW Selective High School Placement Test, which students sit in Year 6 (for Year 7 entry). You list North Sydney Boys 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 North Sydney Boys High School?

Tutoring isn't compulsory, but North Sydney Boys 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 North Sydney Boys 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.