A guide on how to to study for the John Monash Science School exam

[Robert243]

Fantastic guide!!!

I remember how preparing for JMSS mostly consisted of reading everything on the internet that mentions the test. I went on yahoo and the information provided was a bit vague; so it was hallelujah when i found IndefatigableLover's post. Nevertheless, this guide is useful on its own agenda and future applicants should definitely use it!!!

I agree with how youtube videos can be a valuable resource of preparation. If anyone has heard of the Vlogbrothers (John Green & Hank Green), they'll have heard of their latest channel called CrashCourse. In a nutshell, the channel covers important topics in history, biology, chemistry, physics and literature. I highly recommend watching these videos and many other science dedicated channels like Vsauce and SciShow. Reading books that explains scientific concepts are also great. Bill Bryson has written a novel called 'A Short History of Nearly Everything' which literally delivers information from atoms to how plane works. I think this will help with the Science Interest and Communication part of the exam. The book explains science in a very neat and succinct manner whilst providing examples to intensify the reader's understanding. In scientific essays, the ability to provide examples is a must-have skill!!! Other important aspects that will be considered are; grammar, spelling, use of scientific language (instead of 'shiny' we use the term 'lustrous')  and a fluid structure - quite a fundamental convention in essay writing.

The Mathematics and Numerical Reasoning section was a reminiscent of the MHS/Mac.R test - but slightly harder. You cannot study for Numerical Reasoning but you can train yourself to be better by doing maths puzzles. Knowing your roots/square numbers is also a great asset for identifying numerical patterns. Mathematics contains questions of different topics in maths from year 8-10. Data analysis, trigs, parabolas, Pythagorus, algebraic arithmetics, linear, quadratics, surds and ect.

Science Reasoning ranged from reading scientific passages and applying them to questions; analysing data and answering questions and determining the correct answer to a basic science question (e.g. which is element is most reactive? a. oxygen b.sodium c.nitrogen d. iron e. none of them) This is one of those tests that are unpredictable because it's a concoction of different subjects melded into one. Reading and analytical skills are crucial and understanding basic science fundamentals is also important. My example question was one of the questions from this year's test. For me, this question was easy as I know that sodium is highly reactive when exposed to oxygen. Some people may have to do a little thinking - they could cancel oxygen and nitrogen out as they are nobel gases. Between Iron and Sodium, people could take an educated guess and pick sodium.

An important thing to keep in mind is that selective entry tests are aptitude tests. It's designed so you can't 100% prepare for it and JMSS specifically made it to filter out; those who really love science from those who only wants to get accepted because it's a selective entry school.

Lastly, the test is not overly difficult and people shouldn't stress much about it. There are going to be 'those' questions that'll induce a moment of mental blank, but overall; if you know the maths and science that is required at your year level, then you're good to go.

some great advice their

[Thedawg78]

Good guide man , i am doing the exam next year can you please tell me what types of topics ill need to study for the essay .

[Undeadeast15]

Good guide man , i am doing the exam next year can you please tell me what types of topics ill need to study for the essay .

You can't just 'study' for the essay section. The science essays for jmss are unpredictable, and hence, requires strong basic knowledge of science beforehand. I suggest you just revise over your school's science textbooks. Also read articles on science based websites (http://www.sciencealert.com.au/ ).

Good luck

[shadows]

I think more importantly, you need to know how write well, and be able to express yourself clearly and coherently. (Crucial for science writing)

I don't think they expect people to throw these huge scientific words in, and explaining first year uni science.... from what I've heard from others, It changes every year so I would be ashame if all that study did go to waste.

I think JMSS want to see what you are capable of, not what you already know. It wouldn't hurt exposing yourself to some science study, but the key here is they wanna see how you think. How you can approach the prompt, logically, rationally, creatively etc. They want to see potential.

So I think writing essays, make sure your structure is solid. Try it out in test conditions as from what I hear, they give you like 30 mins (or was it 15?) to write an essay.

[Miss_nacii101]

I think more importantly, you need to know how write well, and be able to express yourself clearly and coherently. (Crucial for science writing)

I don't think they expect people to throw these huge scientific words in, and explaining first year uni science.... from what I've heard from others, It changes every year so I would be ashame if all that study did go to waste.

I think JMSS want to see what you are capable of, not what you already know. It wouldn't hurt exposing yourself to some science study, but the key here is they wanna see how you think. How you can approach the prompt, logically, rationally, creatively etc. They want to see potential.

So I think writing essays, make sure your structure is solid. Try it out in test conditions as from what I hear, they give you like 30 mins (or was it 15?) to write an essay.

Good news ^.^ it's 30 min for each essay.

[Robert243]

guys does anyone know how to find out our exam results ?

[IndefatigableLover]

guys does anyone know how to find out our exam results ?

Towards the start of next year in Term 1 there's like a form you fill in to get your results. If you don't fill it in then you don't (it's not really an 'official' form but that's what happened with my year). If not, just ask/call reception I guess (maybe on Orientation Day or something I dunno LOL)

[Robert243]

Towards the start of next year in Term 1 there's like a form you fill in to get your results. If you don't fill it in then you don't (it's not really an 'official' form but that's what happened with my year). If not, just ask/call reception I guess (maybe on Orientation Day or something I dunno LOL)

Thanks mate

[The Usual Student]

In the interview try to  talk about the application of science today. I quoted so Socrates and Aristotle at least seven times through the interview and I also talked about MRI's which convinced them that I knew science beyond a schooling level.   

[The Usual Student]

Haha, pretty much these were the questions asked. And I did say I wanted to go into the medical field. If you know how to elaborate as to why you want to be a doctor, dentist etc then you'll be fine. Oh and medicine is an applied science (if I'm correct?) so jmss is probably one of the best schools to be at to aim for med

true, but I have heard that JMSS has a lot of students aiming for medical and not enough students exploring other sciences.

[IndefatigableLover]

true, but I have heard that JMSS has a lot of students aiming for medical and not enough students exploring other sciences.

There are quite a few people who do have the intentions of doing something in the health and allied fields but there are quite a number of people who want to do other things that aren't related to those field (E.g Theoretical Physicist, actuaries, engineers etc.). I know there's quite a few people interested in becoming lawyers (for pharmaceutical companies) as well. In the end there are probably a lot of people aiming for Medicine but in the end it evens out across the board in the field of science, maths, technology (and even in the arts as well [after JMSS some people may indeed like Humanities better]).
This is sort of distinguishable within the science electives you have in Year 10 (people choose what they enjoy )

[Robert243]

why have you deleted the questions they asked  Usual Student .

[The Usual Student]

why have you deleted the questions they asked  Usual Student .

IndefatigableLover recommended that I did. I could send them to you but I am not sure if it is a good idea to make them public. 

[Robert243]

Hi guys ,
I have updated this thread and added a few things to it . I have added my results which came to me today .

[minosne]

for the interviews, does every single student need to go for it? Like for example, u had quite a lot of superiors, did u still need to go to an interview, or did you just get in straight away?