How changing demographics and exam structures are reshaping the path to selective schools
Elite schools charging up to per year (Years 9–10)
Annual fee increases in 2024
Cost to educate two children K–12 privately
“Even when you go to a private school, you still need additional coaching… amounting to even more financial burden.”
Increase in independent school enrollments (2019–2024)
Increase in public school enrollments (2019–2024)
As private education becomes financially unsustainable for many families, more parents are turning to selective schools as a high‑quality alternative.
A new demographic of students with strong English and writing skills is now competing for selective school places.
“The kids who did selective schools test were generally people from a migrant background... English wasn't their primary language.”
“Most private schools, especially the elite, have very good English and writing literacy levels.”
This demographic shift is creating significantly increased competition in English and writing sections of the selective school test, challenging the traditional applicant pool.