The SEHS entrance exam primarily aims to evaluate an individual's abilities for admission to some selective high schools in Victoria.
ACER (Australian Council for Educational Research) administers the centralized selection process on behalf of the Department of Education in Australia.
This exam assesses one's abilities rather than past achievements and is in written form, which includes a particular emphasis on higher order thinking skills. Main points about the tests are:
The knowledge required in each section of the test does not surpass what is taught in the Year 8 curriculum.
In 2024, the selective school entrance exam will include:
The reading test in the Selective School Entry Exam evaluates students' skills in understanding and interpreting written texts, as well as their ability to apply logical reasoning to answer questions based on the provided passages.
Although ACER or DoE do not disclose the details of exact topics, historically the reading test has evaluated students on including but not limited to::
One might encounter a reading question like this:
In the following excerpt from a poem, what is the author's attitude towards the subject?
"Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow."
| Time | 35 minutes |
| Tentative Questions | 35-40 |
| Reading Practice Tests | |
The mathematics test for selective entry into schools in Victoria (SEHS) typically evaluates a student's comprehension of fundamental mathematical topics at a year-8 level, such as Arithmetic, Algebra, Ratios, Geometry, Measurement, Data Interpretation, and other relevant areas.
One might encounter a mathematics question on ratios like this:
At Greenfield Elementary School, students are involved in various after-school clubs. The ratio of students in the gardening club to the science club to the chess club is 5:3:2, respectively. If there are 120 students in total participating in these clubs, how many students are in each club?
A) 50 gardening, 30 science, 40 chess
B) 25 gardening, 45 science, 50 chess
C) 40 gardening, 20 science, 60 chess
D) 30 gardening, 40 science, 50 chess
| Time | 30 minutes |
| Tentative Questions | 35-40 |
| Mathematics Practice Tests | |
The verbal ability test for the Selective School Entry Exam, also known as the "verbal reasoning" test, assesses students for the topics of language comprehension and manipulation skills, covering vocabulary, analogies, and verbal comprehension topics.
An example of a verbal reasoning question that might appear on the Selective School Entry Exam in Victoria, could be:
Select the word that best completes the analogy:
Book is to author as song is to _____.
a) musician
b) singer
c) audience
d) composer
| Time | 30 minutes |
| Tentative Questions | 50-60 |
| Verbal Ability Tests | |
The quantitative ability test also known as numerical reasoning test for Selective Entry in Victoria is designed to assess students' ability to interpret and analyze numerical data, as well as their aptitude for making logical deductions and inferences based on this information.
Although ACER or DoE do not disclose the details of exact topics, historically the reading test has evaluated students on including but not limited to::
One might encounter like this:
What is the missing number in the following series?
254, ?, 62, 30, 14, 6, 2
| Time | 30 minutes |
| Tentative Questions | 45-50 |
| Quantitative Practice Tests | |
Selective high schools
These schools are:
If you have any specific queries regarding the subjects or programs offered by selective entry high schools, or want to enquire about enrollment for Year 10 and above, it is recommended to directly contact the concerned school.
Important dates for 2025 exam
Based on previous patterns, the exam is usually held around July. While in past years it typically occurred after the holiday break, this year it was scheduled earlier.
It’s essential to stay updated with announcements to adjust preparation plans accordingly. ACER Website
What were the important dates 2024 exam
Applications open
Applications close
Advice sent to parents/carers on exam arrangements
Selective Entry High School exam
The Selective Entry High Schools (SEHS) examination is an important assessment test for students in Victoria, Australia. This examination is designed to assess the academic abilities of students who are seeking admission to selective high schools in Victoria.
Is spending money on Selective test preparation for your child not a financial priority for you right now?
Know more about thisSEHS examination provides students with the opportunity to attend high-quality selective schools, which offer a challenging and rigorous academic curriculum. These schools are known for their excellent academic programs, highly skilled teachers, and outstanding resources, which can help students to achieve their academic goals.
Admission to selective high schools is highly competitive, and students who are successful in the SEHS examination have a competitive advantage over other students. These schools have a reputation for producing successful graduates who excel in their chosen careers.
Attending a selective high school can also provide students with personal development opportunities. Students in these schools have access to a diverse range of extracurricular activities, including sports, music, drama, and clubs, which can help them to develop their leadership skills, social skills, and personal interests.
How to use the answer booklet
When taking the Selective Entry High Schools (SEHS) Examination, students are provided with an answer booklet where they must mark all their responses.
In the reasoning and general ability sections, which are multiple-choice, it’s important to shade the answers correctly for the machine scanners to read them.
Adhering to the instructions given on the exam day is essential to ensure that all answers are processed accurately.
Tentative Exam Structure and Format
You can email to sehs@acer.org for more information but they are unlikely to disclose the exact number of questions for each exam.
Our platform offers comprehensive platform provides ACER format practice tests along with all of the topics mentioned above.