Selective Test Tutoring in Dural

Preparing for the NSW Selective High School test in Dural? A clear guide to the schools local families target and how Test Academy’s online platform and Parramatta classes help Dural students prepare.

By the Test Academy Reviews editorial team

Dural at a glance

Area: Dural, The Hills
Exam: NSW Selective High School Placement Test
Sat in: Year 6 (for Year 7 entry)
How to prepare: Online anywhere in NSW, or in person in Parramatta

Dural is a spacious, semi-rural suburb on the northern edge of the Hills where families weigh up both Baulkham Hills and Hornsby Girls for selective entry. Because it sits some distance from the major centres, online preparation is particularly well suited to Dural students, while those wanting in-person teaching can make the trip to the Parramatta campus.

Which schools do Dural families aim for?

Students preparing for the NSW Selective High School test from Dural and the wider The Hills area commonly target Baulkham Hills High School and Hornsby Girls High School. There are no published cut-off scores, so think of these as the schools families shortlist rather than fixed marks to hit — fit, travel and your child’s strengths matter just as much as any ranking.

Baulkham Hills High School
Hornsby Girls High School

How Dural students prepare

There are two realistic paths for a Dural family. The first is in-person teaching — Test Academy runs small classes (capped at eight students) from its Parramatta centre, within easy reach of The Hills. The second, and increasingly the most popular, is to prepare online: your child sits exam-realistic, computer-based practice tests at home, gets every answer marked instantly with a worked explanation, and you see exactly where the gaps are.

Dural's rural setting and limited rail access make the online program an appealing alternative to the longer drive into Parramatta.

Why Test Academy suits Dural families

Test Academy is, in our assessment, the strongest option in Sydney for selective preparation — largely because of its technology. Its platform mirrors the real Janison-style on-screen test, marks instantly, and gives criterion-by-criterion feedback on writing that few other centres match. For a Dural family weighing the commute against results, being able to prepare to that standard from home is a genuine advantage.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a tutor to pass the selective test in Dural?

Tutoring isn't compulsory, but for a competitive test, Dural families consistently find that regular, realistic practice in the real on-screen format — paired with clear feedback on the questions a child gets wrong — makes the biggest difference. What counts is the quality of that practice and feedback, whether it happens at home on a strong platform or in a classroom.

Can a child in Dural prepare for the selective test online?

Yes. Test Academy’s platform is fully online, so a Dural student can sit realistic selective practice tests, get instant marking and written feedback, and track their progress without travelling. Families who prefer face-to-face teaching can attend the Parramatta centre, which draws students from across The Hills and wider Sydney.

When should a Dural child start preparing?

Most families build foundations through Year 5 and step up to focused, exam-style practice and writing feedback across Year 6, then taper before the test. Starting early and lightly beats last-minute cramming.