Almost 20 per cent of all year 6 students will sit the selective school test next month – the final time the entry exams will be paper-based as the state government prepares to shift the tests online from 2025.
A spokesperson for the department said the computer-based testing software used for the online entry tests will be the same as that used for NAPLAN and for online literacy and numeracy “check-in assessments” used by public primary and high schools. The department confirmed it will run a computer-based test pilot with about 1400 students in June, in testing centres in Sydney, Newcastle and Bathurst.
“Many are easing into it by creating online homework for students. But it’s extremely hard to replicate online tests of quality that really test critical thinking,” he said.