ATAR Notes: Forum

National Education => Admissions tests => Selective Schools Admissions Tests => Topic started by: xinkaihuang97 on April 15, 2011, 11:25:57 pm

Title: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: xinkaihuang97 on April 15, 2011, 11:25:57 pm: what criteria should i meet both academically and in other areas?? what were the questions like in the past few years' exams?
Plz offer some help, and some advice, thx. i will be very grateful :)

"GOIN FOR YEAR 9" :P
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: thushan on April 16, 2011, 09:01:55 am: I've never sat the Melb High test, but from what I heard, so long as your vocabulary is good and you can critically read texts very well, then you should be fine. Also a little more advanced maths wouldn't go amiss.

From memory the sections were like:

Verbal Reasoning
Numerical Reasoning
Maths
Reading Comp
Creative Writing
Analytical Writing
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: iNerd on April 16, 2011, 10:08:53 am: Make sure you can write a 1.5-2 page essay in 15minutes.
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: m@tty on April 16, 2011, 10:26:12 am: Quote from: ATAR on April 16, 2011, 10:08:53 am
Make sure you can write a 1.5-2 page essay in 15minutes.

You should specify a word count rather than page length.. Some people write 150-200 words per page whilst others can write up to 600(there was a guy in my class last year who did xD)

Anyway, wrt the topic, I think tutoring is an absolute waste.

Brush up your vocabulary, look at common words in a thesaurus to bring words from your passive vocabulary to your active vocabulary (words you know but don't use -> words you will use) -- you don't have to learn new words, you already know many you just don't use them.
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: pi on April 16, 2011, 10:46:34 am: Selective School Exam Tips and Strategies
For Year 9 Intake
From a MHS Old Boy (now studying Medicine at Monash Uni), with a younger sibling also at MHS

Firstly, there are many ways to study or prepare for the Melbourne High/Mac.Rob/Cory/Nossal exam. The success of each depends on motivation, effective use of time, and prior academic level (least important of the three) . The general options are:

Option 1
Attend a preparation course. Many large tutoring agencies such as James An Coaching College (JAC) or Hendersons run specially designed courses for entrance into selective schools. Although these companies may charge large amounts of money, if your parents can see them as an investment for VCE and future careers, then it may be worth it. Most of these agencies have success rates of over 75% (the two mentioned definitely do).

Option 2
Self study. This can be particularly effective if you are highly motivated (and/or have highly motivated parents :P). Using books such as Maths Tests for Selective Schools and Scholarship Exams, Further Maths Tests for Selective Schools and Scholarship Exams, Giant Book of Reading/Comprehension Tests for Selective Schools/Scholarship Exams and Giant Book of General Ability Tests for Selective School Tests and Scholarship Examinations under appropriate time restrictions can be very beneficial. Another thing to do is to try and learn as much vocab as possible, for example a word that popped in my exam was 'jihad'. Furthermore, parents/siblings can make up essay topics or google up some images that could be used as essay prompts, all of which can help with written expression (for example, my topics were: "Should violent video games be banned in Australia" and "Imagine a day in the life of either a bee or a bird"). Some official practice material is also available here.

Option 3
A combination of the above two techniques.

Option 4
It may be beneficial to sit a few real exams as practice. For example, you may want to sit the Melbourne Grammar entrance exam beforehand, just to see where you are at (although obviously you wouldn't want to go to MGS, as MHS is far better and cooler :P). This could give you the experience of the real exam and help you cope on the actual day.

Option 5
No preparation (essentially "winging it"). This is probably the worst strategy, but many of my friends did no preparation whatsoever and made the cut. I would not recommend trying this, as it is a bit too risky.

What I did
Basically, my strategy was Option 3. Having been accepted into UHS AP (in late year 6), I didn't need to work on my maths/numerical reasoning much at all (my maths skills were at yr10, you should have yr9 maths under your belt if you want to easily complete the maths sections, worth knowing basic trigonometry, pythagoras, ratios and surds), so I purchased the Reading Comprehension and General Ability books and worked on those to improve my English skills. Furthermore, in the last two months before exams, I attended classes at James An. Their program of having practice exams every week just showed me where I was at, and their exams were harder than the exam, so it was quite beneficial (although avoid long periods of these classes, because you can only improve so much). This strategy also worked with my younger brother (now yr10 MHS), albeit that he is smarter than I am. My brother also sat the Camberwell Grammar exam too (for practice), as he didn't go to UHS beforehand (although he did get in to their AP too). The dilemma was that they offered him a 90-something% scholarship (second time, once at year 7 too), which he had to reject (again). It was pretty funny though.

The Sections
Multiple-choice: (each 30mins in length)
• Verbal reasoning
• Numerical reasoning
• Reading comprehension
• Mathematics
Written expression: (each 15mins in length)
• Creative writing
• Analytical Writing

Timing
You want to be able to finish each part with around 3-5 mins to spare, and finish each written expression with 1-2 mins to spare and having ~600 words written down (usually two hand-written pages). In my case, I finished Maths and Numerical Reasoning with around 10-15 mins to spare in each, Verbal Reasoning with 2 mins to spare, Reading Comprehension with 5 mins to spare, and each essay with around 2 mins to spare. Time yourself in all preparation tasks. N.B. my timings for exams were 40 mins for multiple choice tests, it has now been shortened to 30 mins.

The other two...
A lot of people don't give Suzanne Cory High and Nossal High a serious thought. Obviously, going to Mac.Rob is going to be a difficult discomfort if you are male (enough said), but the other two schools, from what I am hearing, are excellent. You should consider either one of those (depending on where you live, of course), as a back-up option for MHS.

Another thread you may want to have a look into: http://vce.atarnotes.com/forum/index.php/topic,20607.0.html (although only the first 2 pages have regular advice)

Good luck! :)
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: iNerd on April 16, 2011, 10:49:29 am: ^

Impressive time-ing stats.

How many sups you get?

Also m@tty I put 1.5-2 for your exact reason of handwriting...or I would have put 1.5 ;)
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: pi on April 16, 2011, 10:57:20 am: Quote from: ATAR on April 16, 2011, 10:49:29 am
^

Impressive time-ing stats.

How many sups you get?

In all except Verbal Reasoning (second highest there -too much guesswork I think). My brother got all sups though.
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: iNerd on April 16, 2011, 10:57:47 am: Quote from: Rohitpi on April 16, 2011, 10:57:20 am
Quote from: ATAR on April 16, 2011, 10:49:29 am
^

Impressive time-ing stats.

How many sups you get?

In all except Verbal Reasoning (second highest there). My brother got all sups though.
Yay, I got 5 sups too. :P

I lost in analytical writing though.
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: taiga on April 16, 2011, 11:49:45 am: Writing essays fast with good structure and vocab is probably one of the most difficult things, but they are very lenient markers :)
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: Truck on April 17, 2011, 01:20:24 am: I did option 5 lol. Worked for me, but I don't recommend it - I was one of those people that sat the MHS exam to see if I could get in (was already on a scholarship), so I didn't take it particularly seriously - to increase your chances, do what Rohitpi said =P.
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: thefeminist on April 17, 2011, 10:29:27 am: what I did (even though I go to Mac.Rob, same exam) to prepare was not much at all. I heard that you needed trig and pythagoras' theorem on the exam, so I simply worked a bit harder in accel maths to make sure I knew them. I ended up being top in my school (6 sups). I guess it was good that I read a lot when I was a child, otherwise I would have never known the world "fugue" which popped up in my exam.

Exam-wise, I clearly remember having a lot of time on one of the sections so I started doodling ==;; On the others, make sure you leave no answer in the multiple choice blank. I know this seems like common sense, but it's better having 1/4 chance of the questions you didn't do to no chance at all. I didn't finish about 3 of them, so I did that and managed to get higher than everyone else.
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: taiga on April 17, 2011, 11:01:44 am: You also shouldn't be overly prepared for getting into Melbourne High.

They don't distribute the results such that rank number 1-300 go to melbourne high, 300-400 go to Nossal etc. They will sometimes chuck highly ranked students into one of the other schools regardless of what preference you put. Because lets face it, I'm pretty sure 80+% of first prefs go to MHS/MacRob.
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: taiga on April 17, 2011, 11:34:51 am: Yeah I was helping a student last year with the admission test stuff and he got into Nossal when MHS was his #1 pref, despite getting very high marks (I think it was highest category for all except one, which was second highest).

They can't do it by ranking, as otherwise there will be an obvious divide when it comes to the VCE rankings. The idea behind it is so that they can get an equally beneficial education out of going to any of the schools (and to do that, there needs to be students of similar strengths at all schools). That said, you should expect a slight decline in ATAR medians for all schools in the future. One of the primary reasons that MacRob beats MHS is because they have 130 or so less students, so we have approximately an extra 130 that did not do as well as ANY of their students on the entrance test. All the more impressive when we do beat them though :P
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: pineapple21 on April 18, 2011, 11:59:33 am: You should revise some of the Year 9 maths course, because at my old school I was doing accelerated maths in Year 8 and I found a fair bit of the new stuff we learned was on it.

Also yeah be able to write an essay in 15 mins. It doesn't have to be 1.5-2 pages, but rather 1-1.5
One of my essays wasn't even a page and it still worked a treat, so it's really about quality rather than quantity when you have such a stingy time limit.

It's worth looking at some practice exams though, simply because you shouldn't be surprised at the questions that come up. I went to Ringwood Coaching College and had tutoring for the exam but, while I'd recommend it, I don't think it's entirely necessary if you're confident. Either way, you should pay them a visit and have a chat about what sort of stuff comes up on the exam.

When marking, they're more weighted towards the writing and comprehension than the maths. So make sure you blitz your essays and the only way to do that is to get writing now!
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: xinkaihuang97 on April 18, 2011, 02:13:34 pm: How hard is it to get a 'superior'
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: werdna on April 18, 2011, 02:20:43 pm: Quote from: xinkaihuang97 on April 18, 2011, 02:13:34 pm
How hard is it to get a 'superior'

I think you may be overthinking/overworrying about it. You seem like a bright kid so just play to your strengths and try your best. Try and leave this kind of mentality to year 12, or even better, try to avoid it at all costs. You're in year 8, so make sure you enjoy yourself, but yeah you've got a good couple of months to finalise your preparation for the exam. Your dedication and even your presence on this forum already suggests to me that you're a good contender, so best of luck! ;)
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: thushan on April 18, 2011, 03:12:14 pm: Quote from: werdna on April 18, 2011, 02:20:43 pm
Quote from: xinkaihuang97 on April 18, 2011, 02:13:34 pm
How hard is it to get a 'superior'

I think you may be overthinking/overworrying about it. You seem like a bright kid so just play to your strengths and try your best. Try and leave this kind of mentality to year 12, or even better, try to avoid it at all costs. You're in year 8, so make sure you enjoy yourself, but yeah you've got a good couple of months to finalise your preparation for the exam. Your dedication and even your presence on this forum already suggests to me that you're a good contender, so best of luck! ;)

I have to say, that's probably the best thing to say to him. OP, follow his advice. Shame I only can give one vote for respect.
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: pi on April 18, 2011, 04:11:02 pm: +1 to werdna's advice

Quote from: xinkaihuang97 on April 18, 2011, 02:13:34 pm
How hard is it to get a 'superior'

Easier than you think, especially in written expression. If you can pen 2 pages handwritten in 15 minutes, then you are already better than 90% of the people there. Just have confidence (clearly you don't lack motivation!) and use the next few months for some solid prep.
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: xinkaihuang97 on April 18, 2011, 04:22:34 pm: Well, :D, I'm at a quite bad school right now, and if i dont get in a selective entry school, I'll have to stay at this school. And my parents spent like two thousand dollars on tutoring and stuff. They will be so disappointed if i dont get in.

That's why i really want to get in, and needed examples from prior exams.
It's quite normal to worry about not getting in. So ....... :P
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: onur369 on April 18, 2011, 04:36:26 pm: I dont blame you about your school being bad... lol I saw this a few days ago, a Google map Birdseye view snapshot of your school, quite creative students loll

attached picture below
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: xinkaihuang97 on April 18, 2011, 04:41:51 pm: = = Well, this is my school= = but not the genuine aerial view= =
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: werdna on April 18, 2011, 04:43:08 pm: LOL is the school that bad xinkaihuang97? It's in a 'rich' area..
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: pi on April 18, 2011, 06:59:17 pm: Quote from: onur369 on April 18, 2011, 04:36:26 pm
I dont blame you about your school being bad... lol I saw this a few days ago, a Google map Birdseye view snapshot of your school, quite creative students loll

attached picture below

LOL!

xinkaihuang97, don't be disheartened. Going to a 'bad' school actually makes it easier to get into MHS.
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: Hutchoo on April 18, 2011, 08:07:30 pm: Quote from: taiga on April 17, 2011, 11:34:51 am
One of the primary reasons that MacRob beats MHS is because they have 130 or so less students, so we have approximately an extra 130 that did not do as well as ANY of their students on the entrance test. All the more impressive when we do beat them though :P

Does that mean that MacRob is hardcore when they select students or the demand for getting into MacRob is lower? 0.o
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: shinny on April 18, 2011, 08:10:08 pm: Quote from: Hutchoo on April 18, 2011, 08:07:30 pm
Quote from: taiga on April 17, 2011, 11:34:51 am
One of the primary reasons that MacRob beats MHS is because they have 130 or so less students, so we have approximately an extra 130 that did not do as well as ANY of their students on the entrance test. All the more impressive when we do beat them though :P

Does that mean that MacRob is hardcore when they select students or the demand for getting into MacRob is lower? 0.o

It just has a smaller school/cohort o.o You could say the demand is higher given that the supply is lower. They're not trying to be hardcore when selecting; they just can't fit that many people into that crappy little building of their's, whereas MHS has a damn castle.
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: burbs on April 18, 2011, 08:13:21 pm: Quote from: shinny on April 18, 2011, 08:10:08 pm
Quote from: Hutchoo on April 18, 2011, 08:07:30 pm
Quote from: taiga on April 17, 2011, 11:34:51 am
One of the primary reasons that MacRob beats MHS is because they have 130 or so less students, so we have approximately an extra 130 that did not do as well as ANY of their students on the entrance test. All the more impressive when we do beat them though :P

Does that mean that MacRob is hardcore when they select students or the demand for getting into MacRob is lower? 0.o

It just has a smaller school/cohort o.o You could say the demand is higher given that the supply is lower. They're not trying to be hardcore when selecting; they just can't fit that many people into that crappy little building of their's, whereas MHS has a damn castle.

For reference:

MHS
(http://www.amuse.vic.edu.au/CONFERENCE/conimages/Melbourne-High-School-5823668.jpg)

MacRob
(http://images.whereilive.com.au/images/uploads/2010/05/24/c03d78751c8d6270ef69d82abb7f2cdf_resized.JPG)
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: Hutchoo on April 18, 2011, 08:15:40 pm: HAHAHAAA.
Oh poor MacRob girls.
WHATEVERS. I'm still making my sisters go there :@
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: werdna on April 18, 2011, 08:26:44 pm: Nice try burbs, it's got a parking sign on it.

;)
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: taiga on April 18, 2011, 08:48:14 pm: Quote from: shinny on April 18, 2011, 08:10:08 pm
Quote from: Hutchoo on April 18, 2011, 08:07:30 pm
Quote from: taiga on April 17, 2011, 11:34:51 am
One of the primary reasons that MacRob beats MHS is because they have 130 or so less students, so we have approximately an extra 130 that did not do as well as ANY of their students on the entrance test. All the more impressive when we do beat them though :P

Does that mean that MacRob is hardcore when they select students or the demand for getting into MacRob is lower? 0.o

It just has a smaller school/cohort o.o You could say the demand is higher given that the supply is lower. They're not trying to be hardcore when selecting; they just can't fit that many people into that crappy little building of their's, whereas MHS has a damn castle.

*Quantity demanded :P:P
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: pi on April 20, 2011, 03:06:21 pm: Quote from: werdna on April 18, 2011, 08:26:44 pm
Nice try burbs, it's got a parking sign on it.

;)

Yes, hence Mac.Rob...

Nice pic burbs!
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: Water on April 20, 2011, 08:03:58 pm: Quote from: SDPHD on April 20, 2011, 08:01:34 pm

Sorry MHS boys, couldn't resist it.

Touche.
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: taqi on April 21, 2011, 01:47:07 pm: i got 0 superiors and made it in! hoozah!
supposedly someone else declined and hence the spot opened up for me
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: werdna on April 21, 2011, 02:27:36 pm: Well you definitely deserve the spot, you my friend earnt MHS an extra 50 in bio. ;)
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: HERculina on April 21, 2011, 03:00:16 pm: Quote from: taqi on April 21, 2011, 01:47:07 pm
i got 0 superiors and made it in! hoozah!
supposedly someone else declined and hence the spot opened up for me
wow really? kool. :)

i think for mhs, for entry into year 10, 11 and 12 they only look at people's reports whereas with macrob you have to do that whole entrance exam thingy again ie. more picky
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: pi on April 21, 2011, 04:51:57 pm: Quote from: taqi on April 21, 2011, 01:47:07 pm
i got 0 superiors and made it in! hoozah!
supposedly someone else declined and hence the spot opened up for me

yes, but you are a genius taqi! :)

Getting that no superiors and getting in doesn't happen too often.
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: xinkaihuang97 on April 21, 2011, 07:57:03 pm: No superior and gets in, hmm, that seldom happens. I thought at least one or two sups is needed.
Oh well, i still had better do my best, in case i get 3 sups and fail it =D
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: simplyme on April 21, 2011, 11:59:40 pm: I have struggled with the Reading Part. I did the practice test and there were 7-8 questions that I had to do a guess work. Is this okay? or you guys could finish the test in time? cheers,
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: xinkaihuang97 on April 26, 2011, 07:29:38 pm: Guessing is an art....
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: pi on April 26, 2011, 08:45:34 pm: Quote from: simplyme on April 21, 2011, 11:59:40 pm
I have struggled with the Reading Part. I did the practice test and there were 7-8 questions that I had to do a guess work. Is this okay? or you guys could finish the test in time? cheers,

My timings (from page 1 of this thread...):
Quote
Timing
You want to be able to finish each part with around 5 mins to spare, and finish each written expression with 1-2 mins to spare and having ~600 words written down. For my case, I finished Maths and Numerical Reasoning with around 10-15 mins to spare in each, Verbal Reasoning with 2 mins to spare, Reading Comprehension with 5 mins to spare, and each essay with around 2 mins to spare. Time yourself in all preparation tasks. N.B. my timings for exams were 40 mins for multiple choice tests, it has now been shortened to 30 mins.

:)
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: xinkaihuang97 on May 07, 2011, 03:43:14 pm: you dont really need to write 2 pages for each writing, do you?
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: Ishaan on June 14, 2013, 05:45:31 pm: Hi, I'm sitting the test tomorrow and I'm kind of nervous. I go to James an and get mainly top 11%. I'm in the enrichment class in my school, Mt Waverley. We can have 18 people get in, 10 males 8 females. Do you think ill get in?I'll post how I went soon. Thank you all, this question is mainly for Pi.
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: pi on June 14, 2013, 06:01:32 pm: Quote from: Ishaan on June 14, 2013, 05:45:31 pm
Hi, I'm sitting the test tomorrow and I'm kind of nervous. I go to James an and get mainly top 11%. I'm in the enrichment class in my school, Mt Waverley. We can have 18 people get in, 10 males 8 females. Do you think ill get in?I'll post how I went soon. Thank you all, this question is mainly for Pi.

I think you're in with a good chance!

Just try and get a few days of rest to calm the nerves :)
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: Ishaan on June 14, 2013, 06:08:43 pm: Thank you Pi, you have given me some confidence
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: Robert243 on June 28, 2013, 08:53:09 pm: Hi pi,
this might not be the right forum to write this comment , but i don't know where else . I am in year 9 , i tried out for Melbourne High last year got a PD a, but didn't do well on the interview . You probably got in when you were in year 8 , but do i have the chance to get in this year . In terms of how i am as a student , i am one of those students who is lazy , but when puts his mind to something achieve his goals (might sound to ambitous) , my school report have been average/low average . I participate in debating as an extra curricular activity , and have a few other awards such as 3 years ahead in kumon . I also had my brother attend the school so would that be an advantage . So from the infor that i have given you do you think i have a slight chance , or not you can be honest mate , you dont have to be nice.

Sorry for bothering you, if you have time plz reply:)
regards robert
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: pi on July 02, 2013, 01:27:43 am: Breaking what I said in my sig to post this (to those who have asked why my sig is such, please don't, but it does take into account both regrettable and unpleasant recent events and the fact that I don't feel I have much to contribute to this forum anymore content-wise), only because you specifically asked for me.

Quote from: Robert243 on June 28, 2013, 08:53:09 pm
Hi pi,
this might not be the right forum to write this comment , but i don't know where else . I am in year 9 , i tried out for Melbourne High last year got a PD a, but didn't do well on the interview . You probably got in when you were in year 8 , but do i have the chance to get in this year . In terms of how i am as a student , i am one of those students who is lazy , but when puts his mind to something achieve his goals (might sound to ambitous) , my school report have been average/low average . I participate in debating as an extra curricular activity , and have a few other awards such as 3 years ahead in kumon . I also had my brother attend the school so would that be an advantage . So from the infor that i have given you do you think i have a slight chance , or not you can be honest mate , you dont have to be nice.

Sorry for bothering you, if you have time plz reply:)
regards robert

Hi Robert,

To be honest, I think you've got to be in it to win it. Now your school reports aren't too flashy, but I think for yr10 entry there is a test too (with a written app). So if you do well in that then they may overlook your report to an extent. A lot depends on your written app, so try and get that to reflect "more than just marks" and "honour the work" as much as possible.

It's not up to me to say what your chances are, but I have known teachers on the panel of selectors before and they're pretty realistic and fair and will see through any bs, so keep things honest and try and show your positive qualities of why MHS would want you as a student :)

May I also suggest you look into JMSS this year, and Eliz Blackburn next year :) Both would suit you well!

Best of luck.

Regards.
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: Shenz0r on July 02, 2013, 01:06:17 pm: Quote from: Robert243 on June 28, 2013, 08:53:09 pm
Hi pi,
this might not be the right forum to write this comment , but i don't know where else . I am in year 9 , i tried out for Melbourne High last year got a PD a, but didn't do well on the interview . You probably got in when you were in year 8 , but do i have the chance to get in this year . In terms of how i am as a student , i am one of those students who is lazy , but when puts his mind to something achieve his goals (might sound to ambitous) , my school report have been average/low average . I participate in debating as an extra curricular activity , and have a few other awards such as 3 years ahead in kumon . I also had my brother attend the school so would that be an advantage . So from the infor that i have given you do you think i have a slight chance , or not you can be honest mate , you dont have to be nice.

Sorry for bothering you, if you have time plz reply:)
regards robert

I know this is directed at pi, but I'd just like to offer my few cents. I got into the Year 9 cohort though, so take my words with a grain of salt.

Debating - that boosts up your chance slightly. Have you got any other extra curricular activities though? From what I remember of the Year 10 intake, they all had very strong extra-curricular involvement in the schools they went to before MHS, and when they were admitted into the school they fully embraced all of the opportunities presented to them. That's what the selectors are looking for. They want to get the impression that you're going to make full use of the extra-curricular activities of the school.

Your academics are a bit on the low side in terms of the competition. Most people have somewhat strong school reports. I don't think most of the selection panel will take into account Kumon. If I was a selection officer and I knew what Kumon was, I would think: "Why haven't you been able to replicate your achievements from Kumon into your school results?".

Whether you have family that attended MHS or not has no effect on your chances of selection. There is no bias in the selection process.
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: Robert243 on July 11, 2013, 02:39:00 pm: alright thanks both of you guys .
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: SKGUN11 on May 29, 2014, 12:15:48 pm: Hey,
Do you guys know how to structure analytical essay for 15 mins.
I think it would be okay if it went like

Intro - 4 - 5 lines
Argument 1 - 4-5 lines
Rebuttal - 4-5 lines
Conclusion - 4-5 lines

It is extrememly rushed but i guess it is the quickest way to actually do the essay. Is it correct? Will I lose marks for something. Is it possible to do like 20 sentences in 15 mins?

Thanks

SKGUN11
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: radicalness123 on June 03, 2014, 07:50:03 pm: Can anyone give tips on argumentative and what you should study for in maths and verbal reasoning.. also what words would appear on there (verbal and reading) thnx ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: sopydan on June 21, 2014, 06:00:52 pm: Hi

I SAT THE ENTRANCE TEST ON JUNE 14 2014,PLEASE GIVE ME SOME FEEDBACK ABOUT THE EXAM.i FOUND THE MATHS VERY HARD.
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: alchemy on June 21, 2014, 07:08:41 pm: Quote from: sopydan on June 21, 2014, 06:00:52 pm
Hi

I SAT THE ENTRANCE TEST ON JUNE 14 2014,PLEASE GIVE ME SOME FEEDBACK ABOUT THE EXAM.i FOUND THE MATHS VERY HARD.

ok, you should really stop typing in caps.
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: SomeGuy101 on June 08, 2018, 04:28:23 pm: Hi,
I just want to know if the minimum for getting into MHS is still 1 or 2 superiors. :)
Thanks
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: john tran on June 08, 2018, 10:16:24 pm: Quote from: SomeGuy101 on June 08, 2018, 04:28:23 pm
Hi,
I just want to know if the minimum for getting into MHS is still 1 or 2 superiors. :)
Thanks
it doesn't matter how many superiors you get, what matters is whether you're a well rounded contestant(you're fairly good at everything). There's no point getting superiors in the multiple choice test and getting averages in the written components.
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: cloudyy on June 08, 2018, 11:24:24 pm: Quote from: SomeGuy101 on June 08, 2018, 04:28:23 pm
Hi,
I just want to know if the minimum for getting into MHS is still 1 or 2 superiors. :)
Thanks

If you're at a school with A LOT of smart kids trying out for MHS, you'll need 3 or 4 superiors. Someone got all sup and still didn't get in because their school mates did so well :')

If you're at an average school, you'll need 1 to 2

If you're at a really bad school with no one trying out, you should get in even with no superiors.

But let's say you got superior on Maths but for reading, below average. You wouldn't be able to get in, if you're only good at one something.

It also depends on what scores other people get, but what I said was just an average score thing. Don't take my words 100%.
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: appleandbee on June 08, 2018, 11:56:34 pm: You don't have to be "well-rounded", in the sense that you will still be considered even if you get a low/below average in one area. The number of superiors you get will still be prioritised such that if a person got 6 superiors, they will be given a 600000 score (since there are six bands) and if a person got 5 superiors and 1 above average, they will be given a 510000 score. Case in point, I got a low average in reading comprehension (maybe even a below average), and three superiors and got a first round offer to Mac.rob. I also know other people in similar positions as well.
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: crystahlll on June 10, 2018, 04:08:48 am: anyone has any topics for the creative and persuasive writing section?? i need as many resources as i can get :D p.s tips for numerical reasoning will be greatly appreciated, i am quite weak at it!

also, how many questions in average are there for each section? i'm super unclear about this too. i have so many queries honestly sorry :P my last question would be how well must one score to get a "superior"? thank you in advance!!
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: Albert Einstein on June 10, 2018, 12:21:50 pm: Quote from: crystahlll on June 10, 2018, 04:08:48 am
anyone has any topics for the creative and persuasive writing section?? i need as many resources as i can get :D p.s tips for numerical reasoning will be greatly appreciated, i am quite weak at it!

also, how many questions in average are there for each section? i'm super unclear about this too. i have so many queries honestly sorry :P my last question would be how well must one score to get a "superior"? thank you in advance!!

-essay topics can found via https://atarnotes.com/forum/index.php?topic=160659.0
-for numerical practice, number patterns and rules
-in order to get a superior you will have to be within the top 11% (note: they rank you for every test)
STRUCTURE OF EXAM
-verbal reasoning 30 mins(60 questions)
-numerical reasoning 30 mins(50 questions)
-persuasive writing 15mins
BREAK
-reading comp 30 mins(50 questions)
-Maths 30 mins(60 questions)
-creative writing
FINISH

Good luck, hope we both get into our first prefs.
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: crystahlll on June 10, 2018, 03:57:10 pm: Quote from: Albert Einstein on June 10, 2018, 12:21:50 pm
-essay topics can found via https://atarnotes.com/forum/index.php?topic=160659.0
-for numerical practice, number patterns and rules
-in order to get a superior you will have to be within the top 11% (note: they rank you for every test)
STRUCTURE OF EXAM
-verbal reasoning 30 mins(60 questions)
-numerical reasoning 30 mins(50 questions)
-persuasive writing 15mins
BREAK
-reading comp 30 mins(50 questions)
-Maths 30 mins(60 questions)
-creative writing
FINISH

Good luck, hope we both get into our first prefs.

thank you so much!! wow getting a superior sounds extremely difficult ugh. p.s, do you know of topics for Y11 entrance exams?? or are the topics of the same standard for all entrance exams regardless of which year you’re trying out for?
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: Albert Einstein on June 10, 2018, 05:19:10 pm: Quote from: crystahlll on June 10, 2018, 03:57:10 pm
thank you so much!! wow getting a superior sounds extremely difficult ugh. p.s, do you know of topics for Y11 entrance exams?? or are the topics of the same standard for all entrance exams regardless of which year you’re trying out for?
hi, I'm trying out for the year 9 entry. The year 9 entry exam only requires you to meet the school's requirements, it also unfortunately only accepts no more than 5% of year 8 students from any school.
I only know a little about the year 10 exams and it is that you need to do a fair bit of extra curriculars, fill out a application, sit an exam and do an interview.
BTW if you want more information about the y11 exam, you can ask GALACTIC PROCESS because he tried out for the the y11 exam and got a place.
His profile is here https://atarnotes.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=171558
PM him for info, i'm sure he will help out.
Good luck
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: crystahlll on June 10, 2018, 08:18:50 pm: Quote from: Albert Einstein on June 10, 2018, 05:19:10 pm
hi, I'm trying out for the year 9 entry. The year 9 entry exam only requires you to meet the school's requirements, it also unfortunately only accepts no more than 5% of year 8 students from any school.
I only know a little about the year 10 exams and it is that you need to do a fair bit of extra curriculars, fill out a application, sit an exam and do an interview.
BTW if you want more information about the y11 exam, you can ask GALACTIC PROCESS because he tried out for the the y11 exam and got a place.
His profile is here https://atarnotes.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=171558
PM him for info, i'm sure he will help out.
Good luck

aw man :( thank u for all the help anyways! and wow the acceptance rate sounds tough- i hope you get in!!!
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: crystahlll on June 11, 2018, 06:18:08 pm: hi all,
i'm wondering if you guys could help me mark my essay and give me feedback?? I'm going for the year 11 exam

Prompt: image of girl looking outside window. Below the image says "What happens next?"

   The world outside hoome seemed so alive. So carefree. I looked down at the labyrinthe streets filled with people. A family of three caught my eye. The daughter,
sandwiched in between her parents, had a huge grin plastered on her face. It was such a simple vision - a happy family but something I will never be able to possess.
   A loud shatter pierced the air. I buried my head in my hands as I anticipated what would come within seconds - the roar of my father's voice, followed by my mother's
soft cries. My vision blurred as I felt tears well up in my eyes- I shook my head and bit my lip. Why must I cry over an everyday occurence?
   The door slammed open, snapping me out of my thoughts.
   "Look at your useless daughter!" my father slurred, pointing one accusatory finger at me. "She can't do anything right and I have to shoulder the burden of taking care
of this rubbish family!"
   My hands balled into fists upon hearing the insults thrown at me. What angered me most was the sight of my trembling mother, trying to put up a facade
that she is alright with her quivery smiles. What did my father, an irresponsible drunkard, ever do for this family in the first place.
   Something in me snapped. I grabbed the beer bottle out of his hands and smashed it on the ground.
   I screamed at him, pushing past my mother's loose grip. "You are nothing but an abusive man who treats his family like dirt! I wish-"
   Before I could finish, a hand flew across me and I felt my consciousness fading.

thank you!
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: Servillian on June 14, 2018, 09:19:42 pm: Quote from: crystahlll on June 11, 2018, 06:18:08 pm
hi all,
i'm wondering if you guys could help me mark my essay and give me feedback?? I'm going for the year 11 exam

Prompt: image of girl looking outside window. Below the image says "What happens next?"

   The world outside hoome seemed so alive. So carefree. I looked down at the labyrinthe streets filled with people. A family of three caught my eye. The daughter,
sandwiched in between her parents, had a huge grin plastered on her face. It was such a simple vision - a happy family but something I will never be able to possess.
   A loud shatter pierced the air. I buried my head in my hands as I anticipated what would come within seconds - the roar of my father's voice, followed by my mother's
soft cries. My vision blurred as I felt tears well up in my eyes- I shook my head and bit my lip. Why must I cry over an everyday occurence?
   The door slammed open, snapping me out of my thoughts.
   "Look at your useless daughter!" my father slurred, pointing one accusatory finger at me. "She can't do anything right and I have to shoulder the burden of taking care
of this rubbish family!"
   My hands balled into fists upon hearing the insults thrown at me. What angered me most was the sight of my trembling mother, trying to put up a facade
that she is alright with her quivery smiles. What did my father, an irresponsible drunkard, ever do for this family in the first place.
   Something in me snapped. I grabbed the beer bottle out of his hands and smashed it on the ground.
   I screamed at him, pushing past my mother's loose grip. "You are nothing but an abusive man who treats his family like dirt! I wish-"
   Before I could finish, a hand flew across me and I felt my consciousness fading.

thank you!
Hi I’m taking the Melbourne High exam in two days.
Anxiety ;-;

I actually commented on this but the message was deleted so I’ll make this quick since I’m lazy:

1) Less dialogue. All teachers, including the tutors at Henderson’s told me this.
2) Follow the structure. I usually follow Introduction > Rising Action > Climax > Resolution
You could also think of it as Pebble in shoe > Rock in shoe > AN ENTIRE BOULDER IN YOUR SHOE > Getting rid of it.
So you could do: Dad verbally abuses daughter frequently > Dad leaves town > Dad returns and attacks the girl > Mother stops him/ police is called.

3) Have *more* to your story. This kind of coincides with (2). I’m pretty sure one confrontation between two people wouldn’t be enough. Build it up, get to the climax then resolve it.
Also, aim to finish an entire page. I find it’s just right for me. It should be the standard. Spend a minute planning then write, write, WRITE.
Best of luck to both of us.
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: Servillian on June 14, 2018, 09:24:01 pm: Quote from: Servillian on June 14, 2018, 09:19:42 pm
Hi I’m taking the Melbourne High exam in two days.
Anxiety ;-;

I actually commented on this but the message was deleted so I’ll make this quick since I’m lazy:

1) Less dialogue. All teachers, including the tutors at Henderson’s told me this.
2) Follow the structure. I usually follow Introduction > Rising Action > Climax > Resolution
You could also think of it as Pebble in shoe > Rock in shoe > AN ENTIRE BOULDER IN YOUR SHOE > Getting rid of it.
So you could do: Dad verbally abuses daughter frequently > Dad leaves town > Dad returns and attacks the girl > Mother stops him/ police is called.

3) Have *more* to your story. This kind of coincides with (2). I’m pretty sure one confrontation between two people wouldn’t be enough. Build it up, get to the climax then resolve it.
Also, aim to finish an entire page. I find it’s just right for me. It should be the standard. Spend a minute planning then write, write, WRITE.
Best of luck to both of us.

Actually, I just realised that you’re going for the Year 11 exam. I don’t know the details, but if it’s 15 minutes then you’d better write more than a page. I’m going for year 9.
The tips that I gave are for my level.
Also, use sophisticated words in essays, they help :)
Title: Re: how should i study for the melbourne high test???
Post by: rakshanaraj06 on January 30, 2019, 07:47:44 pm: wow thats amazing