Selective Entry Exam FAQ - Everything Parents Ask

The SEHS exam is a competitive test administered by ACER (Australian Council for Educational Research) for Year 9 entry into four government selective schools in Victoria - Melbourne High School, Mac.Robertson Girls' High School, Nossal High School and Suzanne Cory High School. Students sit the exam in Year 8.

Students sit the exam in Year 8 for entry into Year 9 at one of the four selective schools. The exam is held in June each year. Many families start serious preparation 6 to 12 months out, ideally from late Year 7 or the first term of Year 8.

The exam runs for around 3 hours including breaks. Section 1 covers Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning (60 minutes). Section 2 covers Reading Comprehension and Verbal Reasoning (55 minutes). Section 3 is Writing - one persuasive task and one narrative task (40 minutes total).

ACER calculates a scaled score across all sections. Places are then offered based on combined score and school preferences. The four schools share the same exam, so a strong overall score gives the best chance regardless of which school is the first preference. Read our how results are calculated guide for the technical detail.

Around 3 hours including the 25 minutes of break time. The actual test time is about 2 hours 35 minutes split across the three sections. Students should plan to be at the exam venue for at least 4 hours including check-in.

Section 1 combines curriculum mathematics (arithmetic, fractions, percentages, basic algebra, geometry) with quantitative reasoning (pattern recognition, sequences, data interpretation, spatial reasoning). All questions are multiple choice. Speed and accuracy both matter - many students don't finish, so practising under timed conditions is essential.

Verbal reasoning includes analogies, code-breaking, logical deduction, word relationships, syllogisms and pattern questions using letters or words. These skills are not taught in school, so dedicated practice with our VR Prep module is essential.

Section 2 includes 6 to 8 passages spanning fiction, non-fiction, opinion pieces and informational texts. Students answer multiple choice questions about meaning, inference, vocabulary in context, author intent and main ideas. Reading widely throughout Year 7 and Year 8 builds the comprehension stamina needed.

Two written responses in 40 minutes total - typically one persuasive and one narrative task. Students get a stimulus prompt for each. The challenge is producing a polished response in just 20 minutes per task. Practice the SK Writing Lab regularly to build speed and quality together.

Results are usually released by ACER in August or September following the June exam. Schools then make offers in October or November for the following year's Year 9 intake. Read our test results day guide for what to expect.

Melbourne High is a boys-only government selective school in Forrest Hill, South Yarra. Founded in 1905, it offers around 225 Year 9 places per year. It is historically the most established and one of the most academically competitive of the four schools.

Mac.Rob is a girls-only government selective school in Albert Park, founded in 1934. It offers around 225 Year 9 places per year. It is the girls' equivalent of Melbourne High and consistently produces top VCE results in Victoria.

Nossal is a co-educational government selective school in Berwick, opened in 2010. It offers around 210 Year 9 places per year and serves families across Melbourne's south-east and outer suburbs. It has strong STEM and humanities programs.

Suzanne Cory is a co-educational government selective school in Werribee, opened in 2011. It offers around 210 Year 9 places per year and serves families in Melbourne's western suburbs. Named after Australian molecular biologist Suzanne Cory.

Several thousand students apply each year for around 870 total places across the four schools. The exact number varies but competition has consistently grown over the past decade as more families learn about the selective system.

Yes. Students rank their school preferences when applying. Places are then offered based on combined exam score and preference order. Listing multiple schools improves the chance of receiving an offer.

Both are highly regarded but only Mac.Robertson accepts girls and only Melbourne High accepts boys. For families with daughters, Mac.Rob is the natural first preference. For families with sons, Melbourne High is the natural first preference. Read our deeper Melbourne High vs Mac.Robertson comparison.

Melbourne High (South Yarra) and Mac.Robertson (Albert Park) are both inner-city. Nossal (Berwick) is in the south-east. Suzanne Cory (Werribee) is in the west. Many families consider commute time when ranking preferences, since selective school students travel from across Melbourne.

All four are government schools. Standard public school costs apply (uniforms, voluntary contributions, excursions, school fees as published) but there are no private school tuition fees. This is a major reason families compete for selective entry - elite academic education at public school cost.

None of the four selective schools offer boarding. Students travel daily from their family homes. Some families relocate within Melbourne to be closer to their preferred school.

Six months is the practical minimum for serious preparation. Twelve months is better, especially for students who have not encountered verbal reasoning or quantitative reasoning before. Year 5 and Year 6 students can build foundation skills (vocabulary, reading, mental maths) without doing exam-style practice.

Most students do well with 4 to 6 hours per week of focused exam preparation in the 6 months leading up to the exam, scaling up to 8 to 10 hours in the final 2 months. Quality matters more than quantity - 30 minutes of focused practice beats 2 hours of distracted scrolling.

Yes. Many students prepare effectively with structured online tools. SK Edge Prep provides diagnostic tests, AI-scored writing feedback, timed mock exams and targeted practice modules covering every exam section - all from home. It can complement tutoring or work as a standalone preparation tool.

Aim for 3 to 5 full mock tests in the final 3 months. The goal is exam day familiarity, not endless practice. Each mock test should be followed by review - understanding why wrong answers were wrong matters more than just collecting test scores.

It varies by student, but verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning trip up most kids because they are not taught at school. Writing is also commonly underprepared because 20 minutes per piece is so tight. Maths is usually the most familiar territory but speed under pressure still requires practice.

Practise under timed conditions. Set a 20-minute timer and write a complete persuasive or narrative response. Submit to the SK Writing Lab for instant rubric-based feedback. The combination of regular timed practice plus instant feedback is the fastest way to build both speed and quality.

Daily exposure to analogy patterns, code-breaking puzzles and logical deduction exercises. Our VR Prep module covers all the major question types. Reading widely also helps because verbal reasoning often tests vocabulary and word relationships.

Build in rest days. Practice should feel challenging but not crushing. The SK Study Buddy is designed to detect when a child is struggling and reduce load automatically. Read our exam anxiety guide for parents.

Consolidate, don't introduce new material. Sit 1 to 2 final mock tests as dress rehearsals. Review writing rubric criteria. Get plenty of sleep. Reduce intensity in the final 3 days. Walk into exam day calm and confident, not exhausted.

The diagnostic is a starting point, not a verdict. Low scores tell you exactly which sections need work. Use the per-section breakdown to choose which Section Prep modules to focus on first. Many students who score 40-50 percent on the diagnostic improve significantly with 3 to 6 months of focused practice.

SK Edge Prep is built and run by SK, a parent educator based in Caroline Springs, Victoria. SK also runs SK Maths Edge (offline maths tutoring) and Smarty Kids Parenting (early childhood workshops for parents). SK Edge Prep is a newly launched platform - built for Victorian families preparing for the Selective Entry High School exam. Honest about being new: try the free diagnostic and judge the content on its merit.

Three differences. Fully online with no commuting and no fixed schedules. Writing feedback is rubric-based and instant - criterion scores in seconds, not days. Built in Melbourne by a local parent educator (SK) with Australian English in every AI prompt because ACER marks in Australian English.

The SK Writing Lab evaluates persuasive and narrative essays against an 8-criteria rubric (argument structure, paragraph logic, vocabulary precision, sentence variety, cohesion, evidence quality, time and word count). Students get a band score, criterion-by-criterion feedback, and specific suggestions for improvement - all in seconds. 3 free evaluations included.

SK Mock Tests simulate the real ACER exam timing exactly - Section 1 (60 min Maths and QR), Section 2 (55 min Reading and VR), Section 3 (40 min Writing). Students get paper-like tools (flag, skip, review, rough working area) so the experience matches exam day. Instant scoring after submission with section-by-section breakdown.

The SK Study Buddy is a personalised study companion that creates a daily plan based on your child's diagnostic results and time available. It adapts to progress, sends reminders, tracks streaks and alerts parents when activity drops. Free basic version, with premium features available.

For many students, yes. The platform provides everything a typical tutor delivers - diagnostic, structured practice, writing feedback, mock tests, progress tracking - at a fraction of the cost. Some families use SK Edge Prep alongside a tutor to fill gaps between sessions. Both approaches work.

The Writing Lab uses an 8-criteria rubric aligned to the same areas ACER markers assess. Scores are calibrated against benchmark essays. Like any feedback tool, it should be combined with parent or teacher review for important pieces. The strength of AI feedback is consistency and immediacy - students get detailed feedback in seconds rather than days.

Yes. Section Prep modules cover Mathematics, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension and Verbal Reasoning. The Writing Lab handles persuasive and narrative writing. Skill Builders cover vocabulary, grammar, spelling and essay structure. Mock Tests bring all 5 areas together under timed conditions.

Yes. Every Writing Lab essay receives criterion-by-criterion feedback. Every diagnostic shows section-by-section strengths and weaknesses. Mock tests show which question types your child finds difficult. The Study Buddy uses these results to recommend what to practise next.

Yes. SK Edge Prep is built and operated from Caroline Springs, Victoria, under Smarty Kids Parenting (ABN 27 391 734 350). Every AI prompt uses Australian English because ACER marks in Australian English. Pricing is in Australian dollars and support is local.

The 50-question diagnostic is free. Annual plans: BUILD $99 per year (skill builders and diagnostic), PRACTICE $149 per year (adds section prep courses and Poetry Mastery), PRO $199 per year (adds AI essay coaching and parent reports). Mock tests, Writing Lab subscription and add-ons are available as separate purchases.

Yes. The 50-question diagnostic is permanently free with no credit card required. It covers all four exam sections, takes about 35 minutes, and gives an instant score breakdown showing strengths and weaknesses.

Yes. 7-day free trial of any plan, no credit card required to start. Cancel anytime during the trial without being charged. The diagnostic, blog and Module 1 of every prep module are free permanently.

BUILD ($99/yr) is foundation skill building - skill builders, diagnostic, gamification. PRACTICE ($149/yr) adds the four section prep courses (Reading, Verbal Reasoning, Maths, Quantitative Reasoning) plus Poetry Mastery and Typing Lab. PRO ($199/yr) adds AI essay coaching, the SK Writing Lab (8 evaluations per year), 3 included Mock Tests, parent reports and priority support.

The Writing Lab is included in the PRO plan (8 evaluations per year). Standalone subscriptions: Starter $9/mo (4 evals), Standard $14/mo (8 evals), Intensive $29/mo (20 evals). 3 free evaluations are included for everyone, even on the free plan.

Single mock test $19. 5-pack $79. 10-pack $149. Mock tests are sold separately from subscriptions. The PRO plan includes 3 mock tests as a starter.

Yes. 10 percent off the second child's base subscription, 20 percent off third or subsequent children. Discounts apply to base annual plans only (BUILD/PRACTICE/PRO), not to add-ons or coaching subscriptions.

Use the 7-day free trial before committing. Annual subscriptions are non-refundable after the trial period. Mock tests and add-ons can be requested for refund within 7 days of purchase if unused. Full details are on the terms and refund policy page.

Yes. PayID is accepted for mock tests, sprint packs and consultation purchases. Subscriptions are processed through Stripe (credit/debit card). The PayID number is 0424 429 101.

Yes. School and tutoring centre group pricing is available on request. Contact skedgeprep@gmail.com with the number of students and we will reply with a customised quote.

Yes. The platform works in any browser - desktop, laptop, tablet or phone. We recommend a tablet or laptop for mock tests and writing practice (since the exam itself is paper-based and a larger screen is closer to that experience), but daily skill practice works fine on a phone.

No. SK Edge Prep runs in any modern browser. Optionally, you can install it as a Progressive Web App (PWA) on your home screen for one-tap access on mobile or desktop.

One parent account can manage up to 4 children. Each child has their own profile with separate progress, scores, mistakes and study plan. Switch between profiles with one click using the Family Profile Switcher in the navigation bar.

Yes. The PRO plan includes a Parent Report showing diagnostic scores, mock test results, writing band scores, study time and weak areas. The Study Buddy also alerts parents when activity drops, so you can check in early.

Yes. We follow Australian Privacy Principles. We never sell data and we never share information with third parties for marketing. Only the parent account holder can access their child's data. Full data handling details are in our privacy policy.

The platform is self-paced, so students can spend longer on each task without pressure. ACER offers exam adjustments for students with documented learning difficulties - speak to your school about applying. Our diagnostic and writing feedback work the same regardless of pace, so your child gets honest results either way.

Yes. Email support at skedgeprep@gmail.com is available to all users. PRO subscribers get priority support with faster response times. Personal consultations with SK directly are available via the Consult SK page.

Email skedgeprep@gmail.com with the subject "Delete account" from the parent account email. Data is removed within 7 days. You can also export all your child's data before deletion.

Start free with the diagnostic - no sign-up needed. To save your progress and unlock the platform, create a free account. You can add up to 4 children to one parent account using the Family Profile Switcher.

For platform questions: skedgeprep@gmail.com. For 1-on-1 consultations about your child's preparation strategy, book through the Consult SK page. SK responds personally to support emails - it's a small business.