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Selective Entry Preparation

Comprehensive preparation for Victoria’s four prestigious selective schools — Melbourne High, Mac.Robertson Girls’, Nossal High, and Suzanne Cory High.
  • Year 7 – Year 8
  • 90-minute weekly sessions
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About The Exam

The Victorian Selective Schools exam is held in June/July each year when students are in Year 8, spanning three hours with short breaks. It covers five sections: verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, persuasive or creative writing, reading comprehension, and mathematics. The exam typically includes content one or two years beyond the standard school curriculum.

Our 40-Week Program

Our flagship preparation program is structured to encompass an extensive range of topics, with a strong emphasis on integrating concepts for deeper understanding. The first three terms build foundational knowledge and content mastery, while the final term shifts to intensive exam training — applying accumulated knowledge to complex, exam-style questions under simulated test conditions.

Mock Exams & Membership

Our Selective Mock Exam classes run for 20 weeks starting in Term 1, providing weekly timed practice exams under the guidance of experienced teachers. We also offer a Selective Membership program with up to 24 weeks of live, timed practice exams online — an excellent way to improve time management and exam confidence.

Selection Criteria

Selective entry high schools accept students based on examination results (85%), equity and consideration (10%), and principal discretion (5%). A solid understanding of core concepts, familiarity with expected question formats, and proficiency in strategic test-taking are essential for success.

What Are the Selective Schools?

There are four select entry high schools in Victoria with approximately 1,000 places available. Every year, 4,000–5,000 students apply for one of these places.
Melbourne High School
  • Boys only
  • South Yarra
  • Accepting ~260 Students
Mac.Robertson Girls' High School
  • Girls only
  • Melbourne
  • Accepting ~225 students
Suzanne Cory High School
  • All genders
  • Werribee
  • Accepting ~200 students
Nossal High School
  • All genders
  • Berwick
  • Accepting ~200 students

Why Attend a Selective School?

Selective entry high schools offer unique advantages that can shape your child’s academic and personal future.

High Academic Standards

Selective schools offer more challenging coursework, specialised programs, and advanced classes that motivate students to excel academically.

Like-Minded Peers

Being surrounded by high-achieving, motivated peers creates a competitive and intellectually stimulating atmosphere that pushes students beyond their existing capabilities.

Access to Preferred University Courses

Selective schools consistently produce students achieving the highest ATARs, improving chances of entry into competitive university courses and careers.

Quality Teachers & Resources

These schools attract experienced, highly qualified teachers and benefit from better funding, facilities, technology, and extracurricular activities.

Diverse Extra-Curricular Activities

A wide range of activities including sports, arts, debate clubs, and community service help students develop leadership skills and explore interests beyond academics.

Character Development

Many selective schools prioritise values such as discipline, integrity, and responsibility — positively impacting personal growth and overall development.

Structure of the Exam

The Victorian Selective Schools exam spans approximately three hours with short breaks. Students are tested across five key areas.
Test 1: Reading Comprehension

35 multiple choice

  • 35 minutes
Test 2: Mathematical Reasoning

35 multiple choice

  • 30 minutes

Short Break

  • 20 minutes
Test 3: Verbal Reasoning

60 multiple choice

  • 30 minutes
Test 4: Numerical / Quantitative Reasoning

50 multiple choice

  • 30 minutes

Short Break

  • 5 minutes
Test 5 & 6: Written Expression

Analytical & Creative

  • 40 minutes

How Are Students Selected?

Most students enter a selective school in Year 9 through an entrance examination. Students are ranked according to their aggregate score.
Examination Results
85%
Equity Consideration
10%
Principal's Discretion
5%

What Scores Are Needed?

Students must reach an acceptable standard across all sections. Aggregate scores are ranked into the following bands:
  • Superior
Top 11%
  • Above Average
12%
  • High Average
17%
  • Average
20%
  • Low Average
17%
  • Below Average
Bottom 23%

The 4% Rule

No more than 4% of students from any single source school can be offered ‘standard’ or ‘principal discretion’ places at selective entry high schools — even if those students outperform students from other schools. For P–9 schools, a 10% cap applies.

Example: Regular School

A Year 8 cohort of 100 students → maximum 4 students can gain entry from that school.

Example: Regular School

A Year 8 cohort of 100 students → maximum 4 students can gain entry from that school.

The equity consideration category is not subject to the source school cap policy.

Candidates enrolled in home-school, interstate, or overseas schools are treated as separate cohorts with their own caps.

How Spectrum Tuition Prepares Students

To be successful, students must:
  • Be able to apply their knowledge in new situations
  • Have a consistent study schedule
  • Have strong content knowledge across reading comprehension, mathematics, verbal reasoning, and writing
Our classes are designed to:
  • Teach students concepts up to a Year 9 standard by the time they sit the exam in Year 8
  • Help students find links between related concepts and adapt questions to new situations
  • Save time by teaching effective techniques to answer questions that may appear on the exam
  • Build on existing knowledge while developing positive study habits and valuable exam techniques

40-Week Program Timeline

We recommend students start preparing early. Our program begins one year before the exam, progressing from knowledge building to intensive exam training.
Feature
  • In-Centre
  • Online
Curriculum-aligned course books
Qualified, experienced teachers
Weekly quizzes & progress tracking
Homework with worked solutions
5-Band learning pathway
Personalised learning plan
Pause, rewind & replay lessons

Learn from anywhere in Australia

Flexible scheduling
3 × 30-min private support sessions
Detailed written feedback via email
Regular tutor check-in calls

Face-to-face interaction

15 Melbourne locations

Everything You Get in Our 40-Week Program

Complete the entire program or select the options that suit your child’s specific needs.

Start Your Free Online Assessment

Our free assessment discovers your child's current strengths and weaknesses. This information tailors a program to their specific needs and assesses suitability for our programs.

Enrol in the Selective 40-Week Program

Commencing in Term 3 for Year 7 students, available in-person or online. Over four terms, we progressively enhance knowledge, interlink topics, and prepare students to reach Year 9 level by exam day.

Enrol for the Full Year

At the end of the first term, you can enrol for the full year and receive up to one term FREE.

Selective Revision Course

A condensed 6-week online course covering the full 40-week program content. Perfect for accelerated revision and enhanced memory retention.

Mock Exam Classes

20 weeks of weekly full-length exams with instant feedback, commencing in Term 1 for Year 8 students. Build exam stamina and confidence.

Online Selective Membership

Up to 24 weeks of live, timed practice exams online with tutor guidance. An excellent way to improve time management and exam confidence.

Full Live Mock Exam Experience

Approximately 6 weeks before the actual exam — a fully simulated, timed mock exam replicating the real testing environment with expert feedback.

The Ultimate Package

6 full practice exam packages with 24 full-length papers, 950+ questions with detailed solutions, plus best-selling narrative and persuasive essay writing packs.

Online Mock Exam Bundle

Final-week revision with a full 2.5-hour mock exam, detailed worked solutions, sample essays, and a 7-hour workshop recording for last-minute strategy insights.

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What's Included

  • 40-week comprehensive preparation program
  • Weekly Selective Mock Exam classes
  • Online Selective Membership with live timed exams
  • Regular check-in calls with your designated online tutor
  • Custom materials covering all five exam sections
  • Digital bookstore with additional practice resources

What Families Say

Real results from real Melbourne families.
"My daughter joined Spectrum to prepare for special entry exams and found that their teaching methods were very enjoyable and also helping with her preparations for the exam...
Nina Sventek
Parent
"A year at Spectrum Tuition really helped me to understand core concepts for the selective schools exam. The teachers were very helpful, explained subjects clearly, and helped me...
Spectrum Student
Student
"I have two children, daughter in university now and son in year 9. Both were enrolled in Spectrum when they started primary school and since then Spectrum has supported them all the...
Spectrum Parent
Parent · Hoppers Crossing

Ready to get started with Selective Entry Preparation?

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Your Child's Potential Is Waiting. Let's Find It Together.

The free assessment takes under 30 minutes and gives you a clear picture of where your child sits across English and Maths. No obligation, no pressure — just clarity.

  • Takes less than 30 minutes • Completely free • No obligation
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