Applying to Selective Year 11 (1 Viewer)

[yehun]

Hi, I’m currently a Year 10 student and I’m looking to apply for entry into Year 11 at Fort Street, Hurlstone, and possibly another school (I’m still deciding).

I’d like to know more about the application process for these schools—specifically regarding the HAST test. What kind of content is usually covered? Is it based on current Year 10 knowledge or more advanced material? I’m also curious about how many spots are generally available for Year 11 entry at each school.

Additionally, I’d like to ask if my academic and extracurricular background (not too confident in) would give me a reasonable chance of being accepted. I’m an A-range student (with Bs in Commerce and Geography), and my attendance is over 90%.

Here are some of my extracurriculars and passion projects:

• Shadowed BVN (Architecture firm)
• Interviewed civil engineers
• Completed AMC (2022–2024)
• Built a website highlighting women in STEM
• Self-studied ASL (2022–2025)
• Tutored over 30 students from 5+ schools for free (2024–2025)
• STEM Club (Years 9 & 10)
• Writing Club (2022–2023)
• Masters Art Club (2022–2024)
• Debating (2022–2025)
• Public Speaking (2022–2024)
• Student Leadership (2021–2023)
• Science VALID (2024)
• Young Engineers Club (2023)
• Conducted a student research project on STEM engagement and gender representation
• Careers Expo
• Financial Careers Excursion

I was previously part of an accelerated program. In Year 7, I was offered a chance to skip directly to Year which I took, but I chose to repeat Year 10 this year to strengthen my foundation for the HSC. Due to this, my 2024 Semester 1 and 2 results (for year 10) aren’t as strong—I received ABB in English, Maths, and Science both semesters, and a couple of Cs in other subjects. Would this significantly affect my application?

I also had lower attendance last year, especially in Semester 2, which dropped to around 78%.

In 2024, I completed 4–6 Preliminary HSC units in an accelerated program, including Mathematics Advanced, Mathematics Extension 1, and Physics, all under a compressed curriculum. I was also enrolled in a distance education Engineering Studies course, which I couldn’t begin due to a school change—but I independently covered the required content using the prescribed textbooks. Would these experiences strengthen my application?

Lastly, could anyone recommend other strong schools in Sydney that are accessible via public transport and are less competitive?

Thank you to whoever takes their time to read this!

 

[ilovetacobellalot]

first of all DAYUM that is a lot of flexes and they would definitely be a strength for hast. have you done the test before?

ive done the test yr7 8 and 9 lol so i def know the structure of it. the math isnt actually "mathy" at all. its very abstract and more like word questions u have to decipher. there are TONS of practice tests online (and on this website), i can try link some if u need.

the science test is also more on any given information in the text, so ur analysing skills must be really good.
with writing, just practice discursives and narrative writing within a short period of time.

and lucky for u, even if u get a mid hast score, those types of schools LOVE extra curriculars. the first year i did hast i got rejected even tho i did pretty good in the test, js no extras; and my friend performed worse but got saved with all her sports n debating!!

im confident youll get into ur first options, but def keep penrith as a safety (theyre 2-4 ranks lower than fort). they take a lot of people in yearly, and they open a new class in yr10 +11 .

if u have any more questions def lmk

 

[yehun]

first of all DAYUM that is a lot of flexes and they would definitely be a strength for hast. have you done the test before?

ive done the test yr7 8 and 9 lol so i def know the structure of it. the math isnt actually "mathy" at all. its very abstract and more like word questions u have to decipher. there are TONS of practice tests online (and on this website), i can try link some if u need.

the science test is also more on any given information in the text, so ur analysing skills must be really good.
with writing, just practice discursives and narrative writing within a short period of time.

and lucky for u, even if u get a mid hast score, those types of schools LOVE extra curriculars. the first year i did hast i got rejected even tho i did pretty good in the test, js no extras; and my friend performed worse but got saved with all her sports n debating!!

im confident youll get into ur first options, but def keep penrith as a safety (theyre 2-4 ranks lower than fort). they take a lot of people in yearly, and they open a new class in yr10 +11 .

if u have any more questions def lmk

Thank you so so much would you say selective schools consider acceptances mainly on results in HAST / Edutest, or grades in previous schools? I haven’t don’t the HAST before, or tried for selective through year seven entry so I’m not too sure about the entire entry process generally haha

 

[ilovetacobellalot]

Thank you so so much would you say selective schools consider acceptances mainly on results in HAST / Edutest, or grades in previous schools? I haven’t don’t the HAST before, or tried for selective through year seven entry so I’m not too sure about the entire entry process generally haha

the test is what will grab any schools attention first,, ur gonna want to try be atleast top 15% for mostt of the subject tests (reading, numeracy+science , abstract reasoning, and writing) i was in top 15 for all of them but numeracy and science, where i was around top 40% lol which wasnt too good.

but after that, the next thing they look at is ur extra curriculars which u submit on ur hast form. if there isnt much u probably wont be considered at all. but otherwise you'll get called for an interview, in which u either submit ur past 1-2 reports beforehand or bring on the day.
as long as ur report consists of mostly A-Bs in the core subjects ur good

so id say hast is most important, then extra curric, then grades/ report,, also how come you'd want to do hast before moving into seniors? the adjusting could be a little hard

 

[Mohammad Abas]

first of all DAYUM that is a lot of flexes and they would definitely be a strength for hast. have you done the test before?

ive done the test yr7 8 and 9 lol so i def know the structure of it. the math isnt actually "mathy" at all. its very abstract and more like word questions u have to decipher. there are TONS of practice tests online (and on this website), i can try link some if u need.

the science test is also more on any given information in the text, so ur analysing skills must be really good.
with writing, just practice discursives and narrative writing within a short period of time.

and lucky for u, even if u get a mid hast score, those types of schools LOVE extra curriculars. the first year i did hast i got rejected even tho i did pretty good in the test, js no extras; and my friend performed worse but got saved with all her sports n debating!!

im confident youll get into ur first options, but def keep penrith as a safety (theyre 2-4 ranks lower than fort). they take a lot of people in yearly, and they open a new class in yr10 +11 .

if u have any more questions def lmk

Hi could you possibly link me some matriels for the hast resources. I'm doin the same this year aswell I'm in y10 trying for y11

 

[Ayaan Khan]

Is anyone here applying to Sydney boys, if so what year and what are your grades + extra curriculars

 

[elanaaaa]

Hi, I’m currently a Year 10 student and I’m looking to apply for entry into Year 11 at Fort Street, Hurlstone, and possibly another school (I’m still deciding).

I’d like to know more about the application process for these schools—specifically regarding the HAST test. What kind of content is usually covered? Is it based on current Year 10 knowledge or more advanced material? I’m also curious about how many spots are generally available for Year 11 entry at each school.

Additionally, I’d like to ask if my academic and extracurricular background (not too confident in) would give me a reasonable chance of being accepted. I’m an A-range student (with Bs in Commerce and Geography), and my attendance is over 90%.

Here are some of my extracurriculars and passion projects:

• Shadowed BVN (Architecture firm)
• Interviewed civil engineers
• Completed AMC (2022–2024)
• Built a website highlighting women in STEM
• Self-studied ASL (2022–2025)
• Tutored over 30 students from 5+ schools for free (2024–2025)
• STEM Club (Years 9 & 10)
• Writing Club (2022–2023)
• Masters Art Club (2022–2024)
• Debating (2022–2025)
• Public Speaking (2022–2024)
• Student Leadership (2021–2023)
• Science VALID (2024)
• Young Engineers Club (2023)
• Conducted a student research project on STEM engagement and gender representation
• Careers Expo
• Financial Careers Excursion

I was previously part of an accelerated program. In Year 7, I was offered a chance to skip directly to Year which I took, but I chose to repeat Year 10 this year to strengthen my foundation for the HSC. Due to this, my 2024 Semester 1 and 2 results (for year 10) aren’t as strong—I received ABB in English, Maths, and Science both semesters, and a couple of Cs in other subjects. Would this significantly affect my application?

I also had lower attendance last year, especially in Semester 2, which dropped to around 78%.

In 2024, I completed 4–6 Preliminary HSC units in an accelerated program, including Mathematics Advanced, Mathematics Extension 1, and Physics, all under a compressed curriculum. I was also enrolled in a distance education Engineering Studies course, which I couldn’t begin due to a school change—but I independently covered the required content using the prescribed textbooks. Would these experiences strengthen my application?

Lastly, could anyone recommend other strong schools in Sydney that are accessible via public transport and are less competitive?

Thank you to whoever takes their time to read this!

hellooo did you get into hahs '27

 

[yehun]

hellooo did you get into hahs '27

Yes!

 

[elanaaaa]

Yes!

Ohhh holy moly me too you’re going right

 

[yehun]

Ohhh holy moly me too you’re going right

Yeahhh are you?

 

[elanaaaa]

yess

 

[elanaaaa]

another boy from my school made it in too but we dont really talk, a mutual of mine was rejected. Anyway are you excited for orientation the free food sounds nice. Also have you heard the school song its about plough wheat hoe and something about sporting teams

ahem

Come gather round Hurlstonians
And sing with all your heart.
It's here we learn about life's ways
And how to play our part.
It's here we learn about the land
That gave us all your start.
We are glad that we belong to Hurlstone.

CHORUS:
Hurrah, hurrah for the plough and the harrow and the hoe.
Hurrah, hurrah for the wheat in the waving row.
And when we're out upon our own
The good results will show
What we have learned at dear old Hurlstone.

Now you should see our sporting teams
When they achieve their goals.
They try their best and tear it in
With all their hearts and souls.
While o*n the field the other side
Lie round in countless shoals
When the blue, red and gold play up for Hurlstone.

CHORUS

And here's to those who've gone before
To fortune and to fame,
All fiercely proud Hurlstonians
Who've won for us a name
And in the years that are to come,
We hope to do the same,
For the honour of our great school, Hurlstone.

CHORUS

(totally not copied from a comment from 2004)

 

[cristal]

ahem

Come gather round Hurlstonians
And sing with all your heart.
It's here we learn about life's ways
And how to play our part.
It's here we learn about the land
That gave us all your start.
We are glad that we belong to Hurlstone.

CHORUS:
Hurrah, hurrah for the plough and the harrow and the hoe.
Hurrah, hurrah for the wheat in the waving row.
And when we're out upon our own
The good results will show
What we have learned at dear old Hurlstone.

Now you should see our sporting teams
When they achieve their goals.
They try their best and tear it in
With all their hearts and souls.
While o*n the field the other side
Lie round in countless shoals
When the blue, red and gold play up for Hurlstone.

CHORUS

And here's to those who've gone before
To fortune and to fame,
All fiercely proud Hurlstonians
Who've won for us a name
And in the years that are to come,
We hope to do the same,
For the honour of our great school, Hurlstone.

CHORUS

(totally not copied from a comment from 2004)

That's one long school song

 

[elanaaaa]

That's one long school song

yes

 

[yehun]

another boy from my school made it in too , anyway are you excited for orientation? I'm mainly excited for the uh free food. Also have you heard the school song its about plough wheat hoe and something about sporting teams, it's quite intriguing

oh wow do u have Instagram we can talk more on there haha

 

[elanaaaa]

oh wow do u have Instagram we can talk more on there haha

YES ITS ellieandanna_1

 

[yehun]

YES ITS ellieandanna_1

Just added you

 

[elanaaaa]

Just added you

me too

 

[cristal]

gladly yes. Though my current school is totally lamentable and has no musical style, personality, nor technique and thus has no school song, and the last time my school 'attempted' to blast the national anthem was in year seven, and no one has uttered one musical note. I did some digging and found the music sheet

Oh wow no school song that's def strange, although if assemblies are long it's probably quicker w/o music

Btw what subjects are you two planning on doing

 

[elanaaaa]

Oh wow no school song that's def strange, although if assemblies are long it's probably quicker w/o music

Btw what subjects are you two planning on doing

im doing music 2 eng ext1 math ext1 legal ancient his but in yr 12 im thinking of dropping either legal or ancient his to do ext 2 eng and ext music.