James Ruse Agricultural High School
James Ruse Agricultural High School is a fully selective, co-educational government school in Carlingford, North-West Sydney, and the only selective high school in NSW with a compulsory agricultural specialisation — all students study Agriculture and take part in farm-based practical work alongside the standard curriculum. Entry to Year 7 is by the NSW Selective High School Placement Test sat in Year 6. The school topped the NSW HSC results table (by percentage of Band 6 results) every year from 1996 to 2022.
Key facts
| Location | Carlingford, North-West Sydney |
|---|---|
| Type | Fully Selective |
| Gender | Co-ed |
| Places (approx.) | 120 |
| Applicants (approx.) | 2,500 – 3,000 |
| Acceptance rate | 3.0% - 5.0% |
Entry score history
Official minimum entry scores are not published for recent years. Historical figures use earlier scoring scales and are not directly comparable to current scores. Estimates are indicative only and labelled as such. Always confirm details with the school and the relevant Department of Education.
| Entry year | Minimum score | Basis | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 248 | Official — NSW DoE selective high schools minimum entry scores dataset (data.cese.nsw.gov.au), as reproduced by Global Education Academy | pre-2022 (out of 300). Final year before the test format changed to the current 120-point scale (2022 entry onwards); NSW DoE has not published per-school minimum entry scores since. |
| 2020 | 246 | Official — NSW DoE selective high schools minimum entry scores dataset (data.cese.nsw.gov.au), as reproduced by Global Education Academy | pre-2022 (out of 300). Minimum score accepted (last-placed student), on the pre-2022 calculated placement scale out of 300. |
Education departments no longer publish exact cutoff scores for recent years, so the only reliable strategy is maximising performance across every test section rather than chasing a target number.
Is your child on track for James Ruse Agricultural High School?
Try the free Selective Readiness Check — enter your child's recent practice scores and get an indicative verdict on whether they're on track for James Ruse Agricultural High School by test day, plus what to work on. No signup required.
The test you'll sit
Entry to James Ruse Agricultural High School is decided by the NSW Selective High School Placement Test.
Read the full NSW Selective High School Placement Test preparation guide →How to prepare
- Free sample lessons — guided tutorials covering the reading, mathematical reasoning, thinking skills and writing sections of the NSW Selective High School Placement Test.
- Practice books — downloadable PDF practice papers and drills.
- A personalised iClass study plan tracks mastery against James Ruse Agricultural High School and tells you whether your child is on track to be ready by test day.
Common questions
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Sources
- NSW DoE - Selective high schools: outcomes (current reporting; no published cut-offs)
- 2020 NSW selective high school minimum entry scores (Global Education Academy, citing NSW DoE)
- 2021 NSW selective high school minimum entry scores (Global Education Academy, citing NSW DoE)
- NSW fully selective schools: 2020 and 2021 minimum entry scores (cross-check, citing data.cese.nsw.gov.au)
- James Ruse Agricultural High School — Wikipedia
Data last verified 2026-07-07.