GATE Result School Cut-off: Understanding Entrance Cut-off Marks in Perth

GATE Minimum Entrance Cut-off Scores (2016-2023)

School	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
Albany Senior High School	-	-	-	-	-	209.50	ALT	ALT
Alkimos College	-	-	-	-	-	209.50	ALT	ALT
Bunbury Senior High School	210.62	209.50	209.50	209.50	209.50	209.50	209.50	ALT
Bob Hawke College	-	-	New	229.55	231.61	234.65	236.41	234.76
Carine Senior High School	-	-	New	218.34	221.26	221.42	221.93	223.83
Comet Bay College	209.50	209.50	209.50	209.50	209.50	209.50	ALT	ALT
Duncraig Senior High School	216.98	222.30	229.47	219.73	217.73	220.76	216.12	215.19
Ellenbrook Secondary College	-	-	-	-	209.50	209.50	ALT	ALT
Fremantle College	New	209.50	209.50	209.50	209.50	209.50	ALT	ALT
Governor Stirling Senior High School	209.50	209.50	209.50	209.50	209.50	209.50	ALT	ALT
Harrisdale Senior High School	-	-	-	New	220.26	222.17	227.05	226.15
Kelmscott Senior High School	210.43	209.50	209.50	209.50	209.50	209.50	209.50	ALT
Melville Senior High School	213.64	217.73	218.25	219.88	216.00	217.68	220.11	223.67
Perth Modern School	233.86	237.00	237.78	240.13	240.06	242.61	245.56	242.52
Shenton College	226.66	229.28	230.42	230.43	228.22	232.69	231.72	231.39
Willetton Senior High School	226.15	228.25	229.27	228.88	227.78	231.91	235.76	234.58
Selective Academic Program Online (country students)	209.50	209.50	209.50	209.50	209.50	209.50	209.50	209.50

Language Programs Cut-off Scores

School	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
Mount Lawley Senior High School	209.50	209.50	209.50	209.50	209.50	209.50	209.50	209.50
Rossmoyne Senior High School	220.00	220.00	220.00	225.00	225.00	227.00	227.50	227.50

Key Notes:

1. ALT: Denotes schools that were approved for an alternate (lower) cut-off due to specific circumstances such as lower applicant numbers.

2. Schools marked as "New" indicate the year they were first included in the GATE selection process.

3. The cut-off scores are based on historical data and are subject to change each year depending on the applicant pool and competition levels.

Introduction

The Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program in Perth is designed to identify high-achieving students and place them into specialized academic programs that nurture their talents. The entrance process involves taking the Academic Selective Entrance Test (ASET), followed by a rigorous evaluation of scores to determine placement. Each year, students and parents eagerly await the results and cut-off scores that decide their eligibility for various schools. This guide delves into the details of GATE entrance cut-off marks, ASET scores, and what these results mean for placement into Perth’s leading schools.

1. Overview of the ASET and its Importance

The Academic Selective Entrance Test (ASET) is the cornerstone of the GATE selection process in Perth.

The ASET is more challenging than typical school assessments, such as NAPLAN, due to its emphasis on higher-order thinking skills. The questions are designed to be difficult, with very few students achieving maximum scores.

2. Understanding the ASET Performance Report

Reading Your Child’s Performance Report

After taking the ASET, all students receive a detailed performance report via email in late May. This report provides a breakdown of their scores in each of the four sub-tests, along with a Total Standard Score (TSS), which is crucial for determining eligibility for placement.

• Standardized Scores: These scores are normalized, meaning they are compared against the performance of all other students who took the test that year. They do not reflect a percentage or a percentile rank.

• Total Standard Score (TSS): The sum of all four sub-test scores. A minimum TSS of 209.5 is generally required to be considered for placement in an academic program, although actual cut-offs for each school often exceed this baseline.

Minimum Entrance Scores and Yearly Cut-offs

The competition for spots in GATE programs is intense. Thus, while a minimum TSS of 209.5 is the baseline, popular schools may have much higher cut-offs due to the number of applicants.

3. Historical Cut-off Marks for GATE Schools

To help families gauge the chances of securing a placement, historical cut-off scores for various schools are made available. These scores represent the minimum TSS required for entry into Year 7 programs in previous years.

School	2020	2021	2022	2023
Albany Senior High School	209.5	209.5	ALT	ALT
Bob Hawke College	231.61	234.65	236.41	234.76
Carine Senior High School	221.26	221.42	221.93	223.83
Perth Modern School	240.06	242.61	245.56	242.52
Shenton College	228.22	232.69	231.72	231.39

Note: The above scores indicate the minimum TSS needed to secure a placement at each school. Schools with "ALT" had lower cut-offs due to special approval for that intake year.

4. Placement Offers and Acceptance Process

Timing of Offers

Placement offers for GATE programs are issued in two main rounds:

• Round 1: Offers are sent in mid-June.

• Round 2: Offers for remaining spots are sent in July.

Responding to Offers

Families must respond to offers by specific deadlines to confirm their child's place in the program. The options include:

• Accept: Secures the placement; no further offers will be made.

• Decline: Removes the child from consideration for that program.

• Hold (Round 1 only): Allows families to keep their current offer while waiting for a higher preference to become available.

In Round 2, there is no "Hold" option, and families must decide whether to accept or decline immediately.

Reserve Lists

Applicants who do not receive an offer in Rounds 1 or 2 may still be placed on a reserve list, which remains active until 1 December. If additional spots open up, reserve list candidates may receive offers, with only 48 hours to respond.

5. Requesting a Results Check

Parents who are concerned about their child’s ASET scores can request a results check within 7 days of receiving the performance report. The check involves:

• Verifying that test answers were accurately scanned and matched.

• Reviewing written components by the chief marking supervisor.

Results checks are free but cannot be used to dispute marks due to illness or other incidents during testing. Instead, those concerns are handled through a misadventure review process.

6. Changing Preferences After Receiving ASET Scores

After receiving ASET results, families are given a 7-day window to change their school or program preferences. This is crucial for those who want to optimize their chances based on their child's TSS.

Limitations on Changes:

• Arts programs: Can only be added if the necessary testing was completed.

• Languages programs: Require an interview, so changes must be made before scheduling deadlines.

Requests for changes must be submitted in writing to the Gifted and Talented Selection Unit (GTSU).

7. What to Do If Your Child Is Unsuccessful

If your child does not secure a placement in either round, they will receive a notification by August. However, they can reapply in subsequent years, as additional entry points exist for Years 9, 10, and 11.

Reserve List Strategy

Being on a reserve list offers hope, but spaces are limited. Applicants who do not receive a spot by 1 December may need to consider reapplying in the following intake year.

8. Final Tips for Parents Navigating the GATE Process

• Plan Ahead: Understanding the cut-off scores for various schools can help set realistic expectations.

• Monitor Deadlines: Offers, preference changes, and results checks all have strict deadlines.

• Be Informed: Utilize resources such as the performance report, minimum score tables, and past cut-offs to make informed decisions.

Conclusion

Navigating the GATE entrance process can be complex, but understanding the ASET, cut-off marks, and the placement process can significantly ease the journey. Each year, the competition intensifies, making preparation and strategic decision-making crucial for parents and students in Perth seeking entry into these prestigious programs.