Preparing for the Entrance Exam

When is the exam?

Apps Open: 2 March 2023
Apps Close: Date to be advised

The date for the entrance examination will be held on Saturday 15 July 2023.

What is in the exam?

The SEHS entrance exam is designed to test ability, rather than achievement and will include a focus on higher order thinking skills.

The required knowledge in any section will not exceed that found in the Year 8 curriculum.

In 2023, the SEHS entrance exam will include:

• Reasoning in Reading, Mathematics
• General Ability – Verbal, Quantitative and Writing

It will contain multiple choice questions and written tasks.

Further information about the exam will be available as part of the information pack, which will be published in early 2023.

How can I prepare my child for the exam?

Here are some ways that you can help your child feel prepared and calm in advance of the exam:

• ensure your child has a good night’s sleep
• don’t place unnecessary pressure to perform on your child; it may create anxiety and affect their results
• try and stay as relaxed as possible to help your child to relax
• make sure that you and your child have realistic expectations of their exam performance prior to sitting the tests

It is not unusual for students to only answer half the questions correctly and many do not finish the tests. Remember, these tests are designed to determine high ability and high-achieving students. Also, the entrance tests are designed in such a way that not all students may finish all the questions, so you and your child should not panic if this is the case.

What should you bring to the exam?

Students must bring photo ID to the exam, such as:

• A student card issued by the candidate’s current school
• A current student travel card
• A recent class photograph (with the student and his/her name clearly shown)
• A recent passport
• A current library card (with photograph)
• A photo that has been signed by the student’s school and has the school stamp

When will I hear about the exam results?

Offers for all four selective schools will be sent via email from mid August 2024. Late offers may continue until November 2024. Reports on your child’s performance will be sent in Term 4 2024. All offers will contain instructions about how to accept by the closing date provided. Responses must be sent to the selective entry unit, not to individual schools.

How many times can my child sit the test?

Students may only sit the entry test in Year 8 once; however, each of the selective schools offer limited entry through vacant positions in Year 10 and 11. Testing dates are advertised on the individual school websites each year.