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Exam Reform
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I think NSW DoE's decision to take higher of the two attempts is deeply unfair against those children who can only sit once. I support the opportunity to resit the test by those candidates who were impacted. But, instead of accepting the score from last attemp, the DoE is putting the other children, who only sat once, into very unfavorable circumstances. I will urge the department to revise this decision or announce fair moderation in their assessment process. Current explanation by the Department isn't fair or acceptable to majority of children and their guardians.
Kazi, supported: Use the Last Attempt to Place OC/Selective Kids OR Provide All with Two Attempts OR Scaleneed to be fair please
yunita, supported: Use the Last Attempt to Place OC/Selective Kids OR Provide All with Two Attempts OR ScalePlease use the second time test results!
Stella, supported: Use the Last Attempt to Place OC/Selective Kids OR Provide All with Two Attempts OR ScaleI strongly support the call for fairness and transparency in the NSW Department of Education’s handling of the recent issues with the Selective High School and Opportunity Class (OC) placement tests held on 2 May 2025. The Department’s intent to support students who experienced disruptions is understandable and commendable, but the current solution—allowing these students to resit the exam and retain their higher score—is deeply problematic from a fairness and equity perspective.
If the goal is to offer a fair remedy to those affected, then a principle must be applied consistently: a resit should be a true replacement, not an opportunity to choose the better result. The current policy of “best-of-two” is highly irregular in the context of standardized high-stakes testing, not just in Australia, but globally.
In no credible high-stakes exam system is a dual-attempt-with-higher-mark approach considered equitable. Even in countries with large-scale standardized testing—such as the United States (SAT), the United Kingdom (GCSE/A-Levels), or Singapore’s PSLE—students must submit one result per sitting. While some systems allow multiple sittings, students and families choose to resit under their own preparation timeline and must live with the outcome of that single attempt. A policy that lets a test-taker sit twice in the same cycle and keep the better score is highly irregular and undermines confidence in the entire testing process.
The advantage given to the 2 May cohort is not minor:
They’ve now seen the format, difficulty, and nature of the 2025 paper firsthand—a live past paper—giving them a preparation advantage no other student has.
They receive two full weeks to reflect, study, and even work with tutors using this privileged knowledge.
They’re guaranteed no penalty—if their resit goes poorly, they still keep their first score.
This is essentially “risk-free extra preparation time” combined with the benefit of a real test walkthrough—an advantage no other students get. The rest of the cohort, who also faced anxiety, illness, or other common challenges on test day, are only allowed one chance. This is neither equitable nor justifiable.
If the Department insists on offering a resit for the affected students, only the latest score should count—not the higher one. This aligns with international assessment norms and ensures that the resit is genuinely a correction for a disrupted test environment, not an undue bonus. If the student felt disadvantaged, they should accept the resit as their official result. If they choose not to resit, their original mark stands. That’s a fair and clean solution.
Alternatively, if the Department insists on allowing “best-of-two” resits, then all students statewide must be offered the same. Anything less is an admission that fairness applies only to a few.
Selective entry is already a high-pressure, competitive, and emotionally charged process. We need to trust that it is managed with integrity, impartiality, and fairness. The current policy undermines that trust.
We urge the Department to revise this policy urgently, and at a minimum, ensure that if a resit is permitted, only the most recent score is considered final. That’s the only way to ensure the system treats all students with the fairness and respect they deserve.
Vincent, supported: Use the Last Attempt to Place OC/Selective Kids OR Provide All with Two Attempts OR ScaleIt is not fair for all the students in this batch. Kids who are asked to retake and kids whose exams were postponed. Both equally went through mental trauma and confusion which has a root cause in inappropriate arrangements and planning from DOE.
Arif, supported: Use the Last Attempt to Place OC/Selective Kids OR Provide All with Two Attempts OR ScaleProvide all students with 2 attempts, fairness is necessary given the avoidable confusion that was caused
Jen, supported: Use the Last Attempt to Place OC/Selective Kids OR Provide All with Two Attempts OR ScaleYou’re not alone — a community of supporters is ready to back you.
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