Minister orders review into 2025 selective high school testing

Respected education academic Dr Michele Bruniges AM has begun the work of examining the issues that led to the selective tests at three Sydney venues being postponed and rescheduled.

While the majority of testing centres across NSW delivered the opportunity class and selective testing as planned, the first day of testing at three large testing centres in Sydney – Randwick Racecourse, Sydney Olympic Park and Canterbury Racecourse – were significantly disrupted.

The rescheduled tests were successfully held over the past two weekends (May 17, 18 and 24, 25).

The review will:

• identify the challenges faced at testing venues in 2025 and why these occurred
• provide recommendations on how to prevent any repeat of the issues in future tests
• assess the department’s delivery of the rescheduled and re-sit tests
• provide recommendations on how the testing should be implemented in future years. 

Dr Bruniges AM is a former teacher and recently held the position of Secretary of Education in the Australian Government. She was Director-General of the NSW Department of Education and Communities from 2011 to 2016, and is the current Chair of the Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership. Dr Bruniges AM has also chaired the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) Governing Board since 2017. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy in educational measurement.

Dr Bruniges AM will deliver her report to the NSW Government for its consideration by mid-July 2025.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Prue Car said:

“The disruption that occurred at the three large testing centres on the first day of testing was not acceptable.

“That’s why I have ordered an independent review to ensure that it does not happen again and determine the path forward informed by expert advice.”