Hey, I transferred from year 10 to year 11 JMSS back in 2011. As near as I can tell, the testing requirements are identical to the year 10 entry. (I can't say for sure, I never sat the year 10 test, and of course, this was three years ago) Anecdotally, year 11 entry is actually easier than year 10 entry, because apparently less people sit it. I only say this because I felt sure I absolutely bombed the maths section of the test, but still got asked back for an interview. And because I've heard students say it a lot.Pointless story about how I made a terrible first impression on the JMSS maths department that set me up for an even worse two years of maths hell with the schoolSo basically there are two math tests you have to do, tech free and tech active. The tech free one goes for about half an hour and they stress to you at the beginning of the test that you only have to do 'x' number of pages (5 or 6) and that you should not (they were very earnest about this point) do any questions beyond the particular page. So I started the first maths test, and it went pretty well, finished within the time limit, felt good about the majority of the questions (simple stuff, hardest questions were on ratios and quadratics, you know the kind). Then we started on the tech active. That went similarly well, I wasn't super confident in my use of CAS, being only in year 10, but I managed with most of it. Finished really, really quickly. Sat back, feeling kind of smug considering everyone else was still writing. I literally just sat there for ten - fifteen straight minutes before I realised my multiple choice answer sheet had bubbles that went well beyond whatever question I had stopped writing at: you were only meant to stop after so-and-so many pages for the first test. Started freaking out, tried to catch up, realised there was no chance of me catching up with the amount of time left, shaded 'B' for every other answer on the test, and sat there feeling dejected for the last minute of the test, confident I wasn't getting in.
Long story short (too late) about a month and a half later they called me up and asked me back for an interview.Supplementary story of how badly I stuffed up my interview (for current/past JMSS students)I had Mr. Chisolm and Ms. Abels as my interviewers. They asked me what my least favourite subject was. On reflex I answered "geography".
#stillgotin
#y o l o
A good general knowledge of year 10 & 11 science should see you through the science component. I say year 11 because for the essay portion, if you're doing a 1/2 science subject, you will be in a very good place to absolutely smash it. I remember I sketched a cell and talked about the function of the organelles for the biology themed question, while most other kids picked the chemistry question about the periodic table and wracked their brains to come up with something to talk about for groups and periods haha. Remember this also assesses your communication skills, if you've ever sat the MHS test, it's sort of the analogue of their creative essay. I also say year 11 level because some of the questions address science topics not covered under the VELS curriculum. (I had no idea what 'work' was in physics, nor did I know anything about partial pressure, but there were still questions about them) All that being said, it's not an assessment of how many textbooks you've read - it's your ability to reason scientifically. The answer will either be somewhere in the question, or in the way you should be able to tell that the wrong answers are wrong.
If you've kept up to date with your class in maths, you should be all good. There is absolutely nothing on the test beyond year 10 math. If you're up to quadratics and you grasp them, should be all good. Maybe brush up on surds, pythagoras, ratios, simultaneous equations and financial maths (yes, I was as surprised as anyone that they expected me to remember how to calculate compound interest) if you feel rusty in any of this.
As for the interview, don't try to impress. I mean, do, bring your awesome report and achievments from school, but don't fake a passion for science. When they ask you why you want to come to JMSS or what you want to do in the future, don't say something about global warming or cancer research - unless those are things you really care about and can explain why you're interested in it and what you think going to JMSS is going to do about it. Being genuine is a really good look, as they already know you're a super genius prodigy intellectual (you got the interview from the test, remember?), now they want to know if you're going to fit in at the school.
Good luck and don't push yourself too hard, just keep doing well at school and pay heaps of attention in science and math :)
Isn't it harder to get into Year 11 at jmss because of the limit??The figure I've heard consistently, year after year, is 30 kids into year 11, but I suppose that'll depend on cohort size/kids who leave in year 10. About 100 will sit the test, and about 50 will get an interview. Your odds are as good as anyones.
Isn't it harder to get into Year 11 at jmss because of the limit??I would think so, they only offer 10 spots I believe...
The figure I've heard consistently, year after year, is 30 kids into year 11, but I suppose that'll depend on cohort size/kids who leave in year 10. About 100 will sit the test, and about 50 will get an interview. Your odds are as good as anyones.
Hello this might be pretty random but,Hey itzsunny
Does anyone know the format for the year 11 JMSS entry exam? Apparently they will be two science reasonings, an essay and two math exams. Is this true?
:)
Does anyone know the difference between the two science reasoning tests? :o
Is your test this Saturday?Thanks man, good luck to you too :)
Best of luck! I'm sure you'll smash it :D
Have to be at the place by 8:30am, THERE'S ONLY 14 MORE HOURS LEFT 😞😞😞Man, that's rough.
Hey itzsunnyLOL all the best guys :DD
I'm assuming that you are applying for JMSS year 11 as well. There is only one essay, two scientific reasoning tests, numerical reasoning and a mathematics exam. PM me for more details. My the way im applying too :D
Yeah, i'd like to know how you guys went. What was the topic for the essay?Apparently they had to choose between one about heat transfer and digestive systems! Inori told me :D thanks again!
Apparently they had to choose between one about heat transfer and digestive systems! Inori told me :D thanks again!Interesting topics, wouldn't have minded them at all (Especially heat transfer :D).
I would have done digestive systems!
Apparently they had to choose between one about heat transfer and digestive systems! Inori told me :D thanks again!hahaha yea i would of chosen heat transfer
I would have done digestive systems!
For the essay you had to either pick heat transfer (explaining conduction, convection etc) or Enzymes including it's function and then explain the process of food in the digestive system (also explaining how enzymes are involved in the digestive system).Ah, okay thanks so much! Was the science part mostly similiar to ICAS? Was maths just straightforwards or was it complicated and were the worded questions? (Easy/hard?)
For the essay you had to either pick heat transfer (explaining conduction, convection etc) or Enzymes including it's function and then explain the process of food in the digestive system (also explaining how enzymes are involved in the digestive system).LOL i would of picked heat transfer only because i had an assignment on it a few weeks ago.....
Hello is anyone else applying for JMSS year 11 besides me and inori. :D