ATAR Notes: Forum
National Education => Admissions tests => Selective Schools Admissions Tests => Topic started by: somebody8442 on November 07, 2021, 12:22:31 pm
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I'm not writing the test, but if you are, maybe talk here instead of other threads. Good luck to all of you and I hope you get into the schools you want to go to.
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Have you sat the test before?
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Have you sat the test before?
Yes, why do you ask?
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I was wondering if you could drop some tips or topics that we should know. Especially for Maths :)
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I was wondering if you could drop some tips or topics that we should know. Especially for Maths :)
As for tips, I can't say anything for maths except for memorise concepts and formulas, practice a lot, and don't stress. For topics, probably study these:
1. Financial Mathematics - compound interest, depreciation, interest,
2. Algebra - Factorising
3. Surds & Indices - Index laws, rationalising denominator, negative fractional powers
4. Simultaneous Equations - substitution, elimination & Inequations
5. Linear Relationships - gradient formula, distance,
6. Non-linear relationships - quadratics, graphing
7. Rates and Proportion - direct proportion, indirect proportion, conversion of percentage to ratio
8. Trigonometry - pythagoras, exact values
9. Geometry - angles of squares, shapes, parallel lines
10. Statistics - interquartile range, average, median, mean, mode
11. Probability - venn diagrams, conditional, tree diagrams
12. Polynomials - division of polynomials specifically
13. Functions
14. Circle Geometry - the formulas, graphing
15. Kinematics - time at which 2 objects meet.
(These are from Di.Dact from here: https://atarnotes.com/forum/index.php?topic=183784.msg1101561#msg1101561)
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Tysm! Just wanted to ask if you think there were any advanced maths questions such as topics from year 10a maths.
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As for tips, I can't say anything for maths except for memorise concepts and formulas, practice a lot, and don't stress. For topics, probably study these:
1. Financial Mathematics - compound interest, depreciation, interest,
2. Algebra - Factorising
3. Surds & Indices - Index laws, rationalising denominator, negative fractional powers
4. Simultaneous Equations - substitution, elimination & Inequations
5. Linear Relationships - gradient formula, distance,
6. Non-linear relationships - quadratics, graphing
7. Rates and Proportion - direct proportion, indirect proportion, conversion of percentage to ratio
8. Trigonometry - pythagoras, exact values
9. Geometry - angles of squares, shapes, parallel lines
10. Statistics - interquartile range, average, median, mean, mode
11. Probability - venn diagrams, conditional, tree diagrams
12. Polynomials - division of polynomials specifically
13. Functions
14. Circle Geometry - the formulas, graphing
15. Kinematics - time at which 2 objects meet.
(These are from Di.Dact from here: https://atarnotes.com/forum/index.php?topic=183784.msg1101561#msg1101561)
May I add, if a question is looking daunting and complex, it may be faster to substitute in the possible answers (if possible) and see if they work rather than solve each question. You should be averaging 30s each question, so I find this quite helpful when revising.
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Hi, does anyone here go to Kambrya College or know about its level of competitiveness? I go to Kambrya, and my friend told me he thinks there are about 60 people trying out, but there might be more (I am holding 70 or so) and 16-17 people can get in. I read somewhere that Kambrya is quite competitive, and 5 people got 4 sups (but that was in 2019 before writings were removed) so I'm a little nervous (Kambrya also has SEAL which I'm trying out for if I don't get accepted in my school of choice). I would appreciate it if anyone knows about Kambrya's competitiveness or how many people try out each year.
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Well, how did you all go?
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Did you do your test today? Mine is tomorrow !!
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Mine is tomorrow as well. I'm so nervous!
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me too lol. What time is yours? MIne is 9 in the morning and I am in building one
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I think I am doing the test in the afternoon. Best of Luck ;D
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Good luck to you too!! :)
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Probably a bit late, but good luck luck you all! I did the test yesterday, but won't spill any info. Just remember to study for subjects you arenit sure on and don't be alarmed by some questions. We should check how we all went after the exams are done today
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I don't know if this is meant to be some info that you are not supposed to give but do you knowif the exams are similar to the hendersons prac exam?
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I am not sure if you already gave the test but I did and yes, the Henderson practise exams were accurate to the verbal reasoning and kind of for reading and numerical. Maths was a whole other deal lol. Good luck if anybody's still giving the test!
PS. We can discuss the test here after everyone is done :)
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What time is the last slot?
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I did pretty good in verbal reasoning and reading comprehension, but numerical and maths were hard... The questions were very different to the practice exams of any tuition, and the numerical reasoning questions were quite lengthy. I guessed about 15-20 on each of the two maths exams but found RC relatively easy (only guessed 1) and Vr also simple (guessed 4-5 at the end). How did you do in the maths exams and English ones (how many did you guess or think you got right).
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I did pretty good in verbal reasoning and reading comprehension, but numerical and maths were hard... The questions were very different to the practice exams of any tuition, and the numerical reasoning questions were quite lengthy. I guessed about 15-20 on each of the two maths exams but found RC relatively easy (only guessed 1) and Vr also simple (guessed 4-5 at the end). How did you do in the maths exams and English ones (how many did you guess or think you got right).
You probably did really well because from what I heard, many people guessed 30 questions in maths. It's good to hear that VR and RC was easy for you and I hope that you get in!
Tysm! Just wanted to ask if you think there were any advanced maths questions such as topics from year 10a maths.
Hi! I'm really sorry that I could not reply to this before the exam but I was pretty busy at the time. I hope you get into macrob!
Hi, does anyone here go to Kambrya College or know about its level of competitiveness? I go to Kambrya, and my friend told me he thinks there are about 60 people trying out, but there might be more (I am holding 70 or so) and 16-17 people can get in. I read somewhere that Kambrya is quite competitive, and 5 people got 4 sups (but that was in 2019 before writings were removed) so I'm a little nervous (Kambrya also has SEAL which I'm trying out for if I don't get accepted in my school of choice). I would appreciate it if anyone knows about Kambrya's competitiveness or how many people try out each year.
Kambrya is pretty competetive so you may or may not get in. Lots of people quit last year because of COVID-19 so it may be relatively easier, but hope for the best.
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I am not sure if you already gave the test but I did and yes, the Henderson practise exams were accurate to the verbal reasoning and kind of for reading and numerical. Maths was a whole other deal lol. Good luck if anybody's still giving the test!
PS. We can discuss the test here after everyone is done :)
Maths was pretty hard, but they do it to test your knowledge and stress capabilities because selective schools give a LOT of hard work and it can be pretty stressful. I hope you did well!
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Yeah. I think most people said that the English exams were easy while maths and numerical were quite hard. I studied for 6 months just for maths yet I guessed about half the test. For rc and verbal, I think I guessed about 6-10. Did you guys see that pegion that entered the stadium lol
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The person who said the fridge was annoying was not lying, it was so loud for 5 minutes and then it became silent for the next 5 minutes and it took time to adjust to it. I hope that I got in but thinking about it just makes me feel speculative so I'm going to just wait until I get the results on December the 8th.
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Lol. I was at the very front I am not sure what fridge people were talking about. When did you give the test tho? I gave it today in the morning.
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To people who have done the exam before, do they send emails to unsuccessful applicants or do they only send emails to people who got a spot?
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Hi Guys
Was there a cartoon doctor talking to earth text
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To people who have done the exam before, do they send emails to unsuccessful applicants or do they only send emails to people who got a spot?
I'm pretty sure it's both. I personally got in, but I am pretty sure that the rejected participants get a notice of their rejection. Anyway, just chill and relax and try to forget this test because in reality, selective schools are just schools and not jobs!
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I just did the exam. Maths and NR were sooo hard and I was not at all expecting that since i got 50/60 for the hendersons prac exam. Verbal and RC were relatively easy. Good luck to you allll! Hope we all get in!
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To people who have done the exam before, do they send emails to unsuccessful applicants or do they only send emails to people who got a spot?
they send emails to both, tends to be that they send emails to successful applicants first.
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Yeah, there was one cartoon about that. I think I did C on that one.
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I just did the exam. Maths and NR were sooo hard and I was not at all expecting that since i got 50/60 for the hendersons prac exam. Verbal and RC were relatively easy. Good luck to you allll! Hope we all get in!
I agree math and NR were harsh and at least everybody guessed 10 questions, I gueesed around 17 in Nr and 20 in maths. I did two hendersons practice exams, and got 2 sups in both of them (thoughfor some reason hendersobs thinks a superiors the top 33 percent, when it's the top 11).
they send emails to both, tends to be that they send emails to successful applicants first.
Thanks for the information
I'm pretty sure it's both. I personally got in, but I am pretty sure that the rejected participants get a notice of their rejection. Anyway, just chill and relax and try to forget this test because in reality, selective schools are just schools and not jobs!
Alright, thanks for letting me know
Hi Guys
Was there a cartoon doctor talking to earth text
Yeah there was one question about that I don't remember what I said sorry but I remember it was something upon the lines of globalisation and more and more humans consuming resources
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Nah I think that was another one about the tree. For that one I did: People are prioritizing their needs rather than their wants.
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Oh yes I did that too for that question about the wifi trees.
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Yeah, Well hopefully we both chose the correct answer hahaha
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Lets hope that we all get selected. I've been prepping for this exam for like an year and it would indeed be a HUGE relief if I can make it into MHS. I'm already so anxious for the results (as my name suggests) Again, best of luck to you ALL!
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Yeah, hopefully, we all get in. I studied for more than a year but the thing is I might actually not go even if I get in. So, I am not that stressed.
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When day did you give your test AnxiousInd?
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I gave mine yesterday afternoon. Why would you not go? Are you in a good school already?
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Mine was yesterday in the morning. I might not go because I am in SEAL anyway and also because it's really hard to settle in a completely different school.
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What school r u from?I am sadly not in my SEAL program so i think this is probably my best chance to get selected to a school which will, in the future, academically help me for my ATAR. I really want to experience the competitive nature of MHS for myself
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Hi Everyone.
is any of you remembered any punctuation and grammar question from RC test ??
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I go to a girl's college in Melbourne. Our school isn't on the SEAL list yet since it got SEAL about three years ago. The questions I think I remember are about writing techniques. Such as hyperbole, oxymoron, and alliteration. Why do you ask? Isn't the test finished?
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The exam was painful. That is all I have to say.
I await my rejection letter. I might do a funny and reject the rejection letter.
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What school r u from?I am sadly not in my SEAL program so i think this is probably my best chance to get selected to a school which will, in the future, academically help me for my ATAR. I really want to experience the competitive nature of MHS for myself
Oh you won't regret coming to MHS ;)
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Mine was yesterday in the morning. I might not go because I am in SEAL anyway and also because it's really hard to settle in a completely different school.
It isn't too hard to settle into a different school especially because selective schools start in year 9 and so they know that you guys will be nervous and all.
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Yeah, That's true! I might decide to go if I get in and some of my other friends too.
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Hi guys
I am sitting for test next year.
Can you please share any vocabulary words from VR and RC , if you guys still remember . Just want to have idea about level of vocabulary words, they ask
thankx
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Hi guys
I am sitting for test next year.
Can you please share any vocabulary words from VR and RC , if you guys still remember . Just want to have idea about level of vocabulary words, they ask
thankx
Hey Sanju,
The level of vocab was honestly not hard, I think most people knew 80% of the vocabulary and I only remember a couple of words, such as aspersion and overt. Besides, you don’t really need to know the meaning of the word, because you could just pick the odd one out from the options and use elimination. One of the questions was like which is the odd one out: overt, like, match, same, equal and it was so easy, so vocabulary should be fine. Also, there weren’t many questions on vocabulary, instead there were mainly puzzles, reasoning and sequences rather than questions such as “what does extirpate mean”? Also for reading, study comics, poetry and long texts because those were the ones here. But mainly try study for the maths exams because those were very difficult this year. Most people got over 80% for reading and verbal, but maths and numeric will play the deciding part as they seperate the average kids from the best ones. The person beside me somehow finished on maths when I was like halfway - either they are a genius or they gave up midway.
Hope it helped a bit
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I agree. The thing about maths was that even though I knew the topics they were talking about in the question, it was a lot of application. SO they might give you a formula and ask you to work out something. I remember a question about SohCahToa exact values as well. Also one about cubic equations and parabolas. The first 10-15 questions were fairly easy. Most of them were simple BODMAS problems with decimals in them. Just make sure you're good at application type questions although I think that's a skill you can't really learn and you just have to know.
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Oh you won't regret coming to MHS ;)
Hopefully I get in first :-\
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Also for anyone giving the test next year, I think this vocab list on vocabulary.com will help!
100 top SAT words: https://www.vocabulary.com/lists/23400
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Hi guys
I am sitting for test next year.
Can you please share any vocabulary words from VR and RC , if you guys still remember . Just want to have idea about level of vocabulary words, they ask
thankx
Selective User is right. I studied only maths for 8 months and guessed half the questions in maths. I think they made this year's one especially hard to make up for the cut writing exam.
Good luck for next year!
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Hi guys
I am sitting for test next year.
Can you please share any vocabulary words from VR and RC , if you guys still remember . Just want to have idea about level of vocabulary words, they ask
thankx
Vocab is 1/4 of one test. Don't worry about vocab since you will mot likely know every word they give anyway.
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Hopefully I get in first :-\
All I can say is hope for the best!
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Thanks Guys .
Do any of you remember any punctuation and grammar questions from RC
Thanks
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Yeah. I think it was just the same as practice tests. It was literally like doing a practice test.
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Yeah, there weren't many questions on punctuation/grammar. I don't remember any sorry, but you should focus of maths instead (parabolas, quadratics, surds, equations and a bit of polynomials).
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I agree. Also there was a question about trigonometry exact values as well.
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Yeah, there weren't many questions on punctuation/grammar. I don't remember any sorry, but you should focus of maths instead (parabolas, quadratics, surds, equations and a bit of polynomials).
Emphasis on quadratics. Around a third of the exam iirc was talking about quadratics. The math and NR practice paper on the DET website was way easier than the actual test.
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Omg, I actually studied quadratics for 3 months and did not realize that the test had quadratic questions lol. I think it was a bit wordy and I did not bother to read (the last questions especially).
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I think that the lesson we rajd from this is that tuitions and practice tests are far easier than the real exam and that most people failed the 2 maths exams lol. Don't dwell over it too much and wait for the results
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lol yeah.
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Sorry I meant learnt instead of rajd I don’t even know how I typed that.
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Emphasis on quadratics. Around a third of the exam iirc was talking about quadratics. The math and NR practice paper on the DET website was way easier than the actual test.
Which is why I've been saying that the DET test is not the best measure, but the test is done so relax and enjoy the time you have before the results :-\
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Which is why I've been saying that the DET test is not the best measure, but the test is done so relax and enjoy the time you have before the results :-\
I'll try my best.
The results are out December 8th, right?
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Yup! offers are sent between 8-17 dec I think.
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I'll try my best.
The results are out December 8th, right?
Yes the results come out in the 8th (in just under 3 weeks) and you have until the 9th to accept or decline if you are selected. The detailed report of what scores you got and how you did compared to other comes out after the offers on the 20th of December.
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Has anyone else seen the changes to quota? My school always had the maximum students taken and last year a few got in through the PD process.
Won’t get so lucky this year. It really looks like the universe (or Dept of Education ) is against smart students. They now only take up to 5% all up from any Victorian school, including Principal’s discretion unlike in the past where principals discretion was on top of the 5% quota. It really works against kids from high achieving schools like mine. I am so depressed about this. I worked hard to get a place. ☹
Also, my auntie went to a tour and the school said that quota increased for interstate, homeschooled and kids from overseas got a lot higher chances than kids from Victorian High Schools.
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What quota change are you talking about? I haven’t heard of any change. What school are you from?
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It's in the information package.
"In addition, up to 10 per cent of enrolments are through the equity consideration category and up to 5 per cent of enrolments are made under the principal's discretion category.
With the exception of the equity category, no more than 5 per cent of Year 8 students from any one school can be accepted across the four selective entry high schools"
my school is out west.
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It's in the information package.
"In addition, up to 10 per cent of enrolments are through the equity consideration category and up to 5 per cent of enrolments are made under the principal's discretion category.
With the exception of the equity category, no more than 5 per cent of Year 8 students from any one school can be accepted across the four selective entry high schools"
my school is out west.
damnit
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Wasn’t it always like that?
Say if your cohort size is 300 and 40 people are trying out, 20 would get in (5% of the total which is 15 people and then about 5 from principals discretion), so for that school you would have a half chance of getting in.
Also, I read somewhere that only some select schools can actually have kids applying for the selective schools, about 20 schools. So going to a terrible school might actually be bad if Melbourne high/whatever selective school because the 4 schools might not accept that school.
I don’t know if all of this is true, so can someone please confirm if it is? My school is in the south east, it’s reasonably competitive and has SEAL but it’s not as competitive as other schools, about 45 people are trying out of which 20- 25 will get in, wby?
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Wasn’t it always like that?
Say if your cohort size is 300 and 40 people are trying out, 20 would get in (5% of the total which is 15 people and then about 5 from principals discretion), so for that school you would have a half chance of getting in.
Also, I read somewhere that only some select schools can actually have kids applying for the selective schools, about 20 schools. So going to a terrible school might actually be bad if Melbourne high/whatever selective school because the 4 schools might not accept that school.
I don’t know if all of this is true, so can someone please confirm if it is? My school is in the south east, it’s reasonably competitive and has SEAL but it’s not as competitive as other schools, about 45 people are trying out of which 20- 25 will get in, wby?
There's no such thing as not accepting a student because of their school. If you do well, then you'll make it.
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Wasn’t it always like that?
Say if your cohort size is 300 and 40 people are trying out, 20 would get in (5% of the total which is 15 people and then about 5 from principals discretion), so for that school you would have a half chance of getting in.
Also, I read somewhere that only some select schools can actually have kids applying for the selective schools, about 20 schools. So going to a terrible school might actually be bad if Melbourne high/whatever selective school because the 4 schools might not accept that school.
I don’t know if all of this is true, so can someone please confirm if it is? My school is in the south east, it’s reasonably competitive and has SEAL but it’s not as competitive as other schools, about 45 people are trying out of which 20- 25 will get in, wby?
It used to be like that. Now it's only 5% and once your school hits quota no one will be offered a PD place. :(
Using your example it's 15 only plus a few who applied under equity.
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How did you do in the test Junhi and how many people are trying out from your school?
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I am not sure but I don't think it's 5% of the people trying out from your school. I think it's 5% of ALL the year 8s in your school. So if you have 200 students in year 8, only 10 can get in. If 5 are trying out then all 5 of them might get in. Not sure but that's what I believe!
Logical reasoning for the thing I just said lol: If only 5 people were trying out from your school..then 5% of that would be 0.25 and it's not possible that none of the students can get in and therefore it makes more sense to me that 5% of all year 8s in your school can only get in.
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I am not sure but I don't think it's 5% of the people trying out from your school. I think it's 5% of ALL the year 8s in your school. So if you have 200 students in year 8, only 10 can get in. If 5 are trying out then all 5 of them might get in. Not sure but that's what I believe!
Logical reasoning for the thing I just said lol: If only 5 people were trying out from your school..then 5% of that would be 0.25 and it's not possible that none of the students can get in and therefore it makes more sense to me that 5% of all year 8s in your school can only get in.
Yep that's correct but, not all 5 ill make it cause if someone's performance is below standard, then thney won't make it.
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Yeah, that's why I said it might be a possibility that all 5 would get in meaning no one would need to worry about being cut because of the 5% rule :)
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I am getting so nervous now lol, only 6 days left, and now I'm getting serious doubts because of the PD-5% thing and seeing that some people got good scores... BTW the tests were different on both days I think because on Saturday people guessed over 20 and on Sunday people guessed only 5 or so for the maths tests, some kids at my tuition who got really low scores did well in the test
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How did you do in the test Junhi and how many people are trying out from your school?
Lots of kids from my school sat, a good number dropped out before the test.
Numerical = :'( abysmal. I was prepared Maths was going to be bad but that one was worse.
Verbal was doable. Same for Reading. I was bummed they cut the written test.
What did you think?
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I pretty much agree with you - Reading was reasonably good, Verbal was slightly less, but still good and doable., munerical/maths were both poor, guessed 20 in numerical (about 23 for maths). Writing was my strong point, at JAC I averaged 29/30 and at my other tuition 85%.
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I pretty much agree with you - Reading was reasonably good, Verbal was slightly less, but still good and doable., munerical/maths were both poor, guessed 20 in numerical (about 23 for maths). Writing was my strong point, at JAC I averaged 29/30 and at my other tuition 85%.
Im nervous too and have been ever since i finshed that brutal test.
I guessed about 15-20 questions in math
10 questions i guessed for numerical
RC was pretty straightforward and i guessed probs like 1 or 2
Verbal was a bit harder than RC and i ended up guessing like 8-9 questions on the test.
From what i heard many people did similar to me on the test day from my school and my school is kind of sweaty which gives but of assurance. I literally sit and think about this exam everyday, the thought of the exa never lets go off my head. Sometimes i want to know the results and sometimes not because i know that if i dont make it in im going to feel reeally depressed. Maths is also my strong point and knowing that i guessed a lot of questions on the day of the test really hurt me. I really hope, really really really hope that we all make it in.
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i am a yr 7 student planning to take the macrob entry exam next year. i haven't practiced at all and i am very nervous, do you have any study tips that might help?
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AnxiousInd, were you on saturday or sunday?
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sunday
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IM pretty sure the test was the same because i did a hendersons recap after the tests and people who did the test on saturday got the same question as the people who did it on sunday
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i am a yr 7 student planning to take the macrob entry exam next year. i haven't practiced at all and i am very nervous, do you have any study tips that might help?
Welcome to ATARNotes!
This post helped me prepare (although it isn't strictly "last minute") : https://atarnotes.com/forum/index.php?topic=155074.0
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Hi, these were the websites that helped me the most:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkvTgAiBt5o
https://atarnotes.com/selective-schools-tips/
https://atarnotes.com/selective-school-tips-student-guide/
https://www.examsuccess.com.au/blog/posts/how-to-prepare-for-the-victorian-selective-school-test-by-a-former-macrob-girl
Just out of curiosity, what school do you go to and how many people are trying out from it?
Other than these links, the basic info I can provide is that you select tuitions wisely (do Henderson’s or James An), don’t be intimidated by the questions on the day, don’t study very hard in the first few months because otherwise you will lose momentum towards the end and study on the maths topics.
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Hi, I took the selective entry exam in 2021 and got all superiors and got into the school of my choice. I wanted to share my experience on the exam and some tips and tricks so see below for a Youtube video I made.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5xPea-Q4xY