SEHS results: score interpretation, percentiles and selection

SEHS results carry weight only once you can read them — the component scores, the percentile rank and the school-specific competition all sit behind the headline number a family receives by email. This page sets out how the test is scored, what each percentile band typically signals for entry to Melbourne High, Mac.Robertson Girls' High School, Nossal High School and Suzanne Cory High School, how the selection timeline works after results are released, and the steps to take in the weeks that follow. It pairs with our Victoria SEHS preparation hub and our SEHS exam format overview for the component-by-component detail. The figures below reference the 2025 sitting cycle.

How are SEHS results scored?

SEHS results are produced across five equally weighted components — Reading Comprehension, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Writing. The Victorian Selective Entry High School entrance exam is built, marked and reported by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), and the structure has been consistent since ACER took over administration in 2023.

1. Raw marking. Each multiple-choice section is marked on the number of correct answers, with no penalty for incorrect answers. The writing task is marked by trained markers against a rubric covering ideas and content, organisation, language and vocabulary, and conventions.
2. Standardisation. Raw scores are converted to standardised scores for each component within the sitting cohort, so results from different years can be compared fairly even when the underlying paper varies slightly.
3. Equal weighting. All five components contribute 20% each to the overall ranking — Reading, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Writing. No section is double-counted, and no section can be dropped.
4. Percentile rank. Each candidate receives a percentile rank showing performance relative to all other SEHS test takers in the sitting cohort. SEHS uses competitive ranking, not a fixed pass mark, so the effective threshold shifts year on year with cohort strength.

What does each percentile band mean?

The table below maps percentile bands to the approximate selection signal for the four SEHS schools. These bands are derived from multi-year offer patterns and unofficial historical data — they are guidance, not guarantees, because selection depends on the strength of the applicant pool and the number of places available each year.

Percentile band	What the result signals	Typical selection outcome
99th percentile	Top 1% of test takers.	Highly competitive for all four SEHS schools.
95th–98th percentile	Top 2–5% of test takers.	Strong chance for Melbourne High and Mac.Robertson; competitive for Nossal and Suzanne Cory.
90th–94th percentile	Top 6–10% of test takers.	Good chance for Nossal and Suzanne Cory; competitive for Melbourne High and Mac.Robertson.
85th–89th percentile	Top 11–15% of test takers.	Chance for Nossal and Suzanne Cory; less likely for Melbourne High and Mac.Robertson.
Below 85th percentile	Below the typical SEHS entry range.	Selection unlikely in the current cycle; consider reapplication with additional preparation.

Balanced performance matters because the components are weighted equally — a child who scores very high in one area but weakly in another can rank below a child with three steady results. Always read the per-component scores alongside the percentile.

What are the unofficial entry benchmarks by school?

ACER and the Victorian Department of Education do not publish fixed cut-off scores. The table below shows unofficial percentile ranges based on historical offer patterns. Actual thresholds vary annually with cohort strength and the number of applicants.

School	Unofficial percentile range	Competition level
Melbourne High School	96th–99th percentile	Very high
Mac.Robertson Girls' High School	96th–99th percentile	Very high
Nossal High School	90th–95th percentile	High
Suzanne Cory High School	88th–93rd percentile	High

Treat these as planning guidance, not guarantees. A child at the 94th percentile with a strong writing score may be more competitive than a child at the 96th with a weak writing result, because writing is one of the five equally weighted components.

What happens after results are released?

The selection process follows a fixed annual timeline. The steps below reflect the usual pattern for the 2025 sitting cycle; confirm exact dates through the Victorian Department of Education.

1. Test results released (late July / early August). Parents receive SEHS test results and percentile rankings via email and mail, typically six to seven weeks after the June sitting. Review scores and percentiles carefully, noting the per-component profile behind the headline rank.
2. Preference submission (within two weeks of results). Submit preferences for up to four SEHS schools in order of preference. Research each school's location, culture and programs before ranking — the same percentile can yield an offer at one school and no offer at another depending on preferences and demand.
3. School offers (mid-August). Offers are made based on test scores, preferences and available places. Places are allocated as 85% merit-based, 10% equity category and 5% principal discretion. Accept or decline within the published deadline.
4. Acceptance and enrolment (late August). Complete enrolment forms, pay fees and attend orientation sessions to prepare for Year 9 entry.

What should we do if we receive an offer?

• Accept promptly. Accept within the deadline to secure the place — offers lapse if not confirmed in time.
• Complete enrolment. Submit all required documents and pay enrolment fees before the published cut-off.
• Attend orientation. Orientation sessions introduce staff, students and the school culture; attendance helps a child settle before Year 9 begins.
• Maintain study habits. Continue strong reading and study habits over the summer break so the transition into a selective environment is smoother.

What should we do if we do not receive an offer?

• Review the component profile. Analyse which components were strongest and weakest — the per-section scores show where preparation was effective and where gaps remain.
• Consider reapplication. Students may reapply for a later year-level entry where available, with significantly improved preparation often lifting second-attempt results.
• Explore alternatives. Research high-performing local government schools and other pathways that match the child's academic profile.
• Request feedback. Ask for the full score breakdown to understand improvement areas before planning the next preparation cycle.

What does this mean for preparation?

SEHS selection rewards balanced performance across all five components, so a preparation plan that targets weak sections — not only the strongest ones — produces better outcomes than one focused on a single area. Pair this page with our SEHS preparation strategies for a phased study plan, our SEHS practice resources for materials to use at each stage, and our SEHS FAQ for answers to the questions parents ask most often after results arrive.