rewrite this title A record number of 18,500 students take a selective school test on paper for the last time

Some students spend two years in intensive after-school tutoring to prepare for the selective school test, with parents reportedly spending up to $20,000 on coaching. The Department of Education will conduct a computer-based testing pilot with around 1,400 students in June, with testing centers in Sydney, Newcastle and Bathurst. In addition, a practice test environment will be available to students to help them prepare for the computer-based placement tests later in the year. Janison will partner with Cambridge Assessments for the first online selective school and opportunity class tests in 2025. Mohan Dhall, the CEO of the Australian Tutoring Association, stated that coaching colleges are investing tens of thousands of dollars in adapting paper sources to an online format, while ensuring express the increasingly hyper-competitive environment that the selective school system fosters.

The number of selective school applications has risen steadily for the sixth year in a row, without a corresponding increase in the number of places available, leading to greater competition between students. Dhall noted that while parents are attracted to the selective school system because of the perceived path to success and HSC rankings of schools, the primary purpose of education should not be to cultivate such a competitive environment. Going online is expected to bring benefits as test providers will be able to track how long students spend on each question, potentially identifying the least coachable types of questions. The speed with which online tests can be checked and the results are returned is also an advantage. University of NSW researcher Professor Jae Jung, an expert in gifted education, acknowledged reservations about digital testing, such as concerns about cheating and potential benefits for tech-savvy students. He suggested that as more students apply to selective schools, education officials should consider whether universal screening would be a more effective means of testing or entry.

The transition to digital assessment comes after NAPLAN went online in 2022, signaling an inevitable change in the assessment landscape. While some may worry about the effectiveness and fairness of digital testing, especially in terms of security and potential benefits for certain students, it is seen as a natural progression in education. The move to online testing will provide test providers with valuable data on student behavior and performance, potentially leading to improvements in the testing process. However, it also raises questions around issues such as cheating and ensuring a level playing field for all students, regardless of their technological proficiency. As the education sector evolves, the selective school system may need to rethink its approach to testing and admissions to adapt to the changing landscape and better meet student needs.

Australian Tutoring Association CEO Mohan Dhall highlighted the significant investments being made in coaching colleges to transition their resources to an online format, as well as the challenges in replicating high-quality online tests that truly assess critical thinking skills . The shift to digital testing brings both opportunities and challenges for students, teachers and test providers. While online testing offers benefits in efficiency and data collection, concerns remain about maintaining fairness, integrity, and security in the assessment process. As demand for selective schools continues to rise and competition increases, there is a growing need to reevaluate current testing and admissions procedures to ensure they align with the goals of education and provide equal opportunity for all students. The move towards digital assessment represents a significant shift in the education sector and underlines the importance of staying abreast of technological developments to meet the changing needs of students and improve the assessment process.