how to study to get into Melbourne High and Macrob?

[Tashi]

Ohhhh thats cool. Mine finishes at 3:30

[appianway]

Yeah, they don't get late passes.... they just get in trouble. Although it helps having session 1 frees

[kser]

*bump*

Hello, I'm going to be sitting for the melbourne high entrance exam in 2011! I was wondering if any 2010'ers or any students who attend to that school help me out?
For example: Do you guys have any past exam papers?
Any help would be appreciated

[iNerd]

*bump*

Hello, I'm going to be sitting for the melbourne high entrance exam in 2011! I was wondering if any 2010'ers or any students who attend to that school help me out?
For example: Do you guys have any past exam papers?
Any help would be appreciated

There are no companies that make past exam papers however you will find a sample here: http://www.education.vic.gov.au/aboutschool/enrolling/selectentry/tests.htm
English; practice writing essays in 15mins aiming for 1.5 - 2 pages.
Maths; be at a Year 9 level

[Russ]

2 pages in 15 minutes!?

I don't remember anything like that...

[iNerd]

2 pages in 15 minutes!?

I don't remember anything like that...

Courtesy of James An College ...It can be done, I started off with 3/4 page in 15mins; 2months later it was 2 pages. Just spam heaps of essays; time is the main factor at this exam. Of course the old addage still applies [ quality > quantity ] but you will be finding people writing quality 2-page essays.

[IntoTheNewWorld]

English; practice writing essays in 15mins aiming for 1.5 - 2 pages.

are you sure...lol. Pretty sure when I was at James An noone wrote over a page lol. Unless their writing was ridiculously huge.

[iNerd]

English; practice writing essays in 15mins aiming for 1.5 - 2 pages.

are you sure...lol. Pretty sure when I was at James An noone wrote over a page lol. Unless their writing was ridiculously huge.

Positive bro Mayb' things changed because you would have been at James An in 2005? The whole thing is ridiculous though; 15mins is nothing. @kser; aim for 1.5 and you'll be fine!

[taiga]

Yeah it's about 1.5 pages.

Try and know year 10 maths.

Basic trigonometry, pythagorus, notice patterns in things, Do the University of New South Wales little books (i think thats what they were called), the English paper for UNSW was similar to the MHS one if I remember correctly.

[HERculina]

what year is this for?

[taiga]

Year 8 by the looks of it.

[Mulan]

In that case I recommend for...

Comprehension: READ READ READ. For some reason i discovered that my mind is encouraged to actually read (i cant skim :/) the super long passages after reading the q.s? no wait - it depends on the person. XD
Maths: Go over your yr 8 maths txtbook, do exercises
Analytical writing: Make sure you just know the TEEL structure and how to write an essay. I think for essays it doesn't really matter if you don't finish it on time, as long as it looks like you can write from the very start --> intro + first few paragraphs (not to say that finishing would be even better, just dont stress with time limit as much as non writing parts)
Creative writing: Practice writing stories under 15 minutes, try memorise lines where you have used good metaphors and stuff if you're not really good with writing on the spot. Or write a full story that sort of has a general theme where you can sort of just rearrange it a bit to fit with the prompt on the day.
I think that with these writing tasks though, usually just going with the flow and writing your very best on that day will be enough if you're a good enough writer.
Numerical Reasoning: AMC papers and simple number pattern exercises, sudoku?
Verbal reasoning: go on this site - http://www.majortests.com they have heaps of practice tests for comprehension and also word lists.
This site is pretty handy too (try find your weaknesses and work with them): http://www.education.vic.gov.au/aboutschool/enrolling/selectentry/tests.htm
Or if you can be stuff wasting money on preparation, do that Henderson program thing (most people who do it are successful at the end) - http://www.hendersons.com.au/

Usually, if you're a maths person you'll do fine with numerical and maths (maths if you practice). And if you're naturally englishy and really bright you'll do good with verbal and comprehension (I think comprehension is for fast readers/workers who actually know how to 'skim'). And if you just like to memorise PLUS write good you'll ace the writing tasks.

They more so accept people who are well rounded at everything or strengths are more headed towards in English which is obvious since only 2 of the tests are maths linked and all the others are English. Most people who get an average for maths may still get in or by that 5% rule, those who get averages for comprehension or a writing task that isn't compensated by any other English ones probably won't. And if you're trying out for Macrob, make sure you get at least one superior and one above average for maths and numerical, cause then you'll be accepted to sit the accelerated maths test and get to do methods in year 11 if you pass.

Hope that helps. Good luck!

PS. Staying home the day before helps It might not be that "major" and stuff, but an extra 24 hrs could mean a lot.

[pi]

Best prep is to go to University High's Accelerated Program in yrs 7 and 8. I'm in yr 11 MHS now, and did not learn a thing in maths and science in 9 and 10. Uni High teaches yr 10 maths and science in yr 8 and is so useful for getting into MHS. To get an idea of how beneficial it is, I remember finishing the Maths and Numerical Reasoning tests with 15 mins to spare in each (i was in the top area of the results chart -top 11%?)!

I also did James An for four months just for the analytical writing experience every week (tests were also good, most ppl get 60% but me and a few friends averaged 90%). Also, being serious in yr 7 helps a lot, good preparation starts at yr 7, not yr 8.

And to all those pianists and violinsts out there who think they need less academic ability to get in (principal's dis.), too bad. We have at least 30 A.Mus/L.Mus pianists and/or violinists in my year alone. Most pd musos are A.Mus/L.Mus in about three or four instruments.

Being state/national level in a sport (not state badminton, table tennis or counter strike -must be national for them) also helps.

Anyways, go to Uni High if u can, can them change ships to MHS.

[kyzoo]

I wonder...how many of the people who got into MHS/Macrob actually did seriously prep, I think it's a similar situation to the UMAT lol

[iNerd]

I wonder...how many of the people who got into MHS/Macrob actually did seriously prep, I think it's a similar situation to the UMAT lol

You will actually find that the entrance exam can be prepared for especially the technique of writing a quality piece in 15minutes, both creative and analytical. As previous posts have also stated, Maths at a Year 9 level will be signficantly advantageous. Also improving one's vocabulary could potentially help out in Verbal reasoning and Reading Comprehension. As for how many people actually prepare; my own opinion is that A LOT do. There are many institutions that "specialise" in preparing these Year 7-8 students such as James An, St Vincent's Institute, Hendersons, NorthShore etc. Do you really need to prepare? I think not but it's a nice safeguard and confidence base to go in to the exam feeling like you're ready to tackle it on.