Selective School Test Secrets: What You Must Know

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clendar November 20, 2023

clendar 8 minutes

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A selective school test is a standardised examination. It challenges students on their ability to read, have mathematical reasoning, write and their level of critical thinking/problem solving skills. Upon the successful completion of the examination, you receive qualifications to enter a selective high school in your state.

It is designed to ensure that the student can handle a standard of education at a higher level of schooling. To increase the likelihood of your success, it is necessary to have an effective study routine in place.

How Do I Prepare For a Selective School Test?

In preparation for the examination, it is vital to ensure that you complete multiple practice tests. In essence, allowing you to actively re-enforce and gain more knowledge. It’s given in combination to answer sheets, answers, and an explanation for multiple choice questions for your convenience.

Working on areas of improvement through multiple study sessions can allow for significant improvement over time. To begin, try doing examinations in as much time needed. Building an understanding of the nature of the questions and furthering content knowledge. The transition should then be made towards working under the time frame given.

Constant completion of practice tests in “exam conditions” improves speed-based abilities and critical thinking skills. It works by allowing yourself to become accustomed to processing necessary decision-making skills faster.

The various categories of testing are as follows:

Writing
Mathematical reasoning
Reading
Thinking

Writing

Writing entails a single based question requiring an open response. It assesses the student’s abilities based on the creativity of their ideas and how effectively their writing skills can communicate to an audience. In combination to this, markers assess their grammar, punctuation, spelling, and vocabulary skills. The topic must be directly addressed in order to receive good marks.

This is necessary as your writing skills are irrelevant if the concept is not demonstrated to be understood by the student. It is advisable to practice creative and persuasive writing styles on different occasions.

Mathematical reasoning

Creating a flexibility to your writing style will make you feel prepared regardless of the question asked. In contrast, the mathematical reasoning assessment will assess your mathematical understanding and knowledgeability of problems. This is determined by questions drawn from various mathematical aspects.

Reading

Working through multiple past examinations and answering questions from a variety of mathematical topics will allow you to improve. Similarly to writing, the reading examination is simply the assessment of your reading abilities.

The various genres of text to be assessed on include non-fiction and fiction, poetry, magazine articles and reports. Reading a variety of texts in your free times will allow you to build knowledge in these areas.

Thinking

It is advisable to read regularly, selecting key words and understanding their meaning to improve your vocabulary. Furthermore, a particular examination that requires no previous knowledge nor preparation is “thinking.”

It inherently tests your general knowledge and critical thinking skills. Partaking in these practice examinations will give you an idea of what content you’ll be assessed on. Essentially, building a routine and selecting allocations throughout the week for study will benefit you immensely.

A dedication to study will strengthen your ability to gain knowledge for the weeks building up to the exam. In addition, assistance from teachers and tutors are vital to progressing in the content you’re learning. Ask your teacher for advice on how to study effectively, knowledge on what you need to improve in and extra work sheets if possible.

Observe your past report cards and ensure that you complete all the tasks given. Consistent communication with your tutor on what you’re struggling in is necessary. This is done so they can further explain key concepts and ideas to ensure your improvement in the long term.

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How Do You Do Good on the Selective School Test?

Studying and general examination preparation often makes you feel as if you’re fully prepared. Although unfortunately, on the day things seem to suddenly not go as planned.

You don’t know the correct equipment to bring?

1.Pre-Exam Preparation for Selective School Test

You’re feeling tired and demotivated? Here’s everything you need to know to prevent this. It is crucial to have prior knowledge available such as the allocated location of your selective test, who will transport you to it and the lunch you’re bringing at the very least the night before.

This will ensure your organisation on the day and ability to focus solely on the examination. To feel motivated and energetic, consume energy inducing, nutritious foods. Such as: Bananas, Oatmeal and yoghurt which are all common breakfast options. Ensure that your diet and sleep are healthily maintained, aiming to achieve at least 9-11 hours of sleep every night. Boosting your concentration, memory and overall academic ability which is essential.

As well as this, the main equipment to bring are 2 2B pencils, a sharpener, eraser, and a print of the test authority letter along with the application number. Items that should be brought if necessary are tissues, glasses, an asthma puffer, an FM transmitter, and a nutritious lunch to maintain high energy levels in the meantime.

2. Exam Room Etiquette and Strategies for Selective School Test

General etiquette involved in the exam room is remaining quiet, not looking at other students whilst the examination is ongoing and obeying all instructions from the test administrator. The issue of malpractice is serious in an examination room. Occurring when you copy an exam off another student or secretly carry information to assist you. It has detrimental consequences and risks your disqualification. Understand the instructions given to assure a smoothly riding exam experience.

Demonstrations will be given by the selective test administrator prior to the exam such as the correct method of noting answers. Ensure that in multiple choice examinations, you note answers on the answer sheet provided. If a change of mind occurs, erase your answer until invisible and select the correct one neatly.

If you are unsure of the answer, undertake a process of elimination. This involves narrowing down the answer to a few candidates. With complete uncertainty of the answer, simply guessing provides an appropriate option as opposed to leaving it blank. Remember to assess each question, reading slowly and filling out/writing the answer down accordingly and patiently.

If working out is needed, you may do it on the question sheet. Along with this, punctuality is essential to maximising the amount of test time available to you. Enter the location by 9:00am sharp, as entering later puts you at a disadvantage and results in you finishing the same time as other students. Upon entering the examination, the stress, and anxious thoughts often time become overwhelming.

3. Maintaining Mental and Emotional Well-being for Selective Test

Preventing you from working to the best of your ability. A calm and relaxed headspace not only benefits your health, but your overall academic performance. Along with the excellent study routine you’ve implemented, try learning some relaxation techniques too! A great one is “Visualization.” In the days near to your exam close your eyes for five minutes day.

During this, take deep slow breaths and imagine yourself in the exam room. Visualising your content and happiness with your responses to the questions. Then, walk out the exam room with an immense feeling of pride and self-confidence. This’ll assist you in taking over negative self-talk with positivity.

Remembering that having confidence in yourself and working to the hardest of your ability will benefit you immensely! Not only to be successful in just your examination but long term, as you enter the difficulty of high school academics. Ensure to incorporate all the above knowledge given into an effective routine to increase the likelihood of success.

You can also read about the Selective School Test in our latest blog, What is a Selective School Test? Everything You Need to Know.