ATAR Notes: Forum
National Education => Admissions tests => Selective Schools Admissions Tests => Topic started by: megan24 on September 28, 2021, 04:31:14 pm
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Hi everyone, I'm aware that the JMSS entry for this year was just released, but I know a few people out there that are eager to join this school next year. I'm not sure if the way to apply will be the same as this year (COVID) but below are some tips on how to get in and what I had to do to get in (I received an offer, but declined).
SCIENCE REASONING:
There were 30 questions and a 30-minute timeframe. This test isn't too harsh on the timing so it's important that you get a lot of these questions correct. I think the best way to study for this is to go over past schoolwork, it isn't really an IQ test as it's more like you have to analyse graphs. Biology and environmental things seem to be a favourite of JMSS in the tests.
2021 summary:
- most of the questions involved reading a graph
- around 5 questions were based on the rock cycle and some questions were ‘what are the chemical components of rocks’ and something got to do with pressure and temperature resulting in hard rocks and asking which rocks would be soft
- around 3 to 5 questions were similar in the way they gave u clues to solve something, this was one of them
’three planes (blue, yellow, green, red) must land at 4 different gates’ and then it asked you to pick a multiple choice on where they were allowed to land with then given clues (red must be between green and blue, blue can only be in gate 1 or 4, etc.)
- one question asked about the cross-sections of a conical shape and which of the given shapes would not be made with the cross shape of a conical shape
numerical reasoning:
This is basically more of an IQ test around numbers. A lot of patterns and worded problems will be presented, so it is up to you to turn them into formulas or mathematical methods of calculation. Sometimes it is best to take a formulaic approach, but just being able to look at the differences in a sequence is really important.
____
around ten to fifteen of the questions involved the alphabet and associating the letters with the numbers and just finding patterns; it was really similar to the practice tests in edu kingdom (a jmss tuition)
another ten to fifteen of the questions had numbers separated by commas in which they asked you to find a pattern with the way they were added/subtracted etc, and find the missing number.
mathematics:
There were 60 questions and a 30 minute timeframe, this test is the one that most people struggle with due to the short timing. The best way to prepare for this is just your normal schoolwork, your year 9 curriculum should be broad enough to cover the topics in the test. If you want to study for the test then I recommend going over topics in your math textbook that you aren't too confident with, this could be parabolas or linear relations. The whole test is very broad and goes over heaps of topics, but the questions themselves aren't too hard, you just need to be decently knowledgeable in the year 9 math topics and a bit of year 10.
2021 summary:
- two questions involved parabolas
- around 4 to 8 questions involved linear graphs
- many of the questions involved algebra and solving for x etc.
- two questions were about prime numbers and asked ‘which of these is not a prime number’ and another asked to pick a sentence which was false about prime numbers.
- two questions were about trigonometry, and asked which formula was right (soh, cah, toa)
- one question showed the Fahrenheit to Celsius formula and asked for you to make Celsius the subject
- a few questions required you to know the formula for an area of a parallelogram, a circle, and a semi-circle
- many questions were on ratios and gave you the ratio and you had to find the distribution.
THE INTERVIEW:
In the previous years, we had to write a CV (curriculum vitae) and it seems they are continuing that.
In the CV we had to put in our: sporting teams, musical history, leadership roles, awards (max of 5), involvement with science (extracurricular), community involvement and a few questions to answer.
The questions were:
1. Give an example of when you gave your very best effort to do something really well? What was the activity and what was the result?
What fascinates you? How do you follow up this interest?
2. Imagine you have moved forward in time 50 years. What is it that you would like to be remembered for at the end of your working life?
3. When have you influenced someone else for the better? Explain the context of the situation.
4. During the many Covid 19 lockdowns in 2020 and 2021 people took up new hobbies and developed new skills. What did you do that was different in lockdown?
We also had to give in our end of year reports, and the mid year reports for the pervious year, so make sure you do well in these!
There was a two-stage interview;
the first interview wasn't really an interview. There were around 5 other people with me, and one teacher was present, and we had to do a test that was on a google form. In the test, it was essentially just a science practical investigation (hypothesis, discussion, conclusion etc.)
In the second interview, you would enter and there would be two teachers. In this interview, they would ask questions, and you would answer etc. A few questions were:
1. What's a scientific invention that happened in the past 50 years, and what positive impact did this have on the world?
2. What was something really difficult you had to go through and what did you learn from it?
The interview stage is really important, and I can't stress this enough. Find a way to make yourself unique. The teachers were honestly really nice and I didn't feel intimidated at all so remember to not be too nervous entering these!!
The JMSS entry is pretty tough and if you've made it to the interviews already, then well done. I'm pretty sure the cutdowns are from 1000 in the testing stage, 500 in the interviews and 200 that are accepted. Also I don't know if this is allowed, but during the tests I sneaked a few screenshots of some questions... they should be inserted somewhere.
GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU APPLYING!!!!
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Hi everyone, I'm aware that the JMSS entry for this year was just released, but I know a few people out there that are eager to join this school next year. I'm not sure if the way to apply will be the same as this year (COVID) but below are some tips on how to get in and what I had to do to get in (I received an offer, but declined).
SCIENCE REASONING:
There were 30 questions and a 30-minute timeframe. This test isn't too harsh on the timing so it's important that you get a lot of these questions correct. I think the best way to study for this is to go over past schoolwork, it isn't really an IQ test as it's more like you have to analyse graphs. Biology and environmental things seem to be a favourite of JMSS in the tests.
2021 summary:
- most of the questions involved reading a graph
- around 5 questions were based on the rock cycle and some questions were ‘what are the chemical components of rocks’ and something got to do with pressure and temperature resulting in hard rocks and asking which rocks would be soft
- around 3 to 5 questions were similar in the way they gave u clues to solve something, this was one of them
’three planes (blue, yellow, green, red) must land at 4 different gates’ and then it asked you to pick a multiple choice on where they were allowed to land with then given clues (red must be between green and blue, blue can only be in gate 1 or 4, etc.)
- one question asked about the cross-sections of a conical shape and which of the given shapes would not be made with the cross shape of a conical shape
numerical reasoning:
This is basically more of an IQ test around numbers. A lot of patterns and worded problems will be presented, so it is up to you to turn them into formulas or mathematical methods of calculation. Sometimes it is best to take a formulaic approach, but just being able to look at the differences in a sequence is really important.
____
around ten to fifteen of the questions involved the alphabet and associating the letters with the numbers and just finding patterns; it was really similar to the practice tests in edu kingdom (a jmss tuition)
another ten to fifteen of the questions had numbers separated by commas in which they asked you to find a pattern with the way they were added/subtracted etc, and find the missing number.
mathematics:
There were 60 questions and a 30 minute timeframe, this test is the one that most people struggle with due to the short timing. The best way to prepare for this is just your normal schoolwork, your year 9 curriculum should be broad enough to cover the topics in the test. If you want to study for the test then I recommend going over topics in your math textbook that you aren't too confident with, this could be parabolas or linear relations. The whole test is very broad and goes over heaps of topics, but the questions themselves aren't too hard, you just need to be decently knowledgeable in the year 9 math topics and a bit of year 10.
2021 summary:
- two questions involved parabolas
- around 4 to 8 questions involved linear graphs
- many of the questions involved algebra and solving for x etc.
- two questions were about prime numbers and asked ‘which of these is not a prime number’ and another asked to pick a sentence which was false about prime numbers.
- two questions were about trigonometry, and asked which formula was right (soh, cah, toa)
- one question showed the Fahrenheit to Celsius formula and asked for you to make Celsius the subject
- a few questions required you to know the formula for an area of a parallelogram, a circle, and a semi-circle
- many questions were on ratios and gave you the ratio and you had to find the distribution.
THE INTERVIEW:
In the previous years, we had to write a CV (curriculum vitae) and it seems they are continuing that.
In the CV we had to put in our: sporting teams, musical history, leadership roles, awards (max of 5), involvement with science (extracurricular), community involvement and a few questions to answer.
The questions were:
1. Give an example of when you gave your very best effort to do something really well? What was the activity and what was the result?
What fascinates you? How do you follow up this interest?
2. Imagine you have moved forward in time 50 years. What is it that you would like to be remembered for at the end of your working life?
3. When have you influenced someone else for the better? Explain the context of the situation.
4. During the many Covid 19 lockdowns in 2020 and 2021 people took up new hobbies and developed new skills. What did you do that was different in lockdown?
We also had to give in our end of year reports, and the mid year reports for the pervious year, so make sure you do well in these!
There was a two-stage interview;
the first interview wasn't really an interview. There were around 5 other people with me, and one teacher was present, and we had to do a test that was on a google form. In the test, it was essentially just a science practical investigation (hypothesis, discussion, conclusion etc.)
In the second interview, you would enter and there would be two teachers. In this interview, they would ask questions, and you would answer etc. A few questions were:
1. What's a scientific invention that happened in the past 50 years, and what positive impact did this have on the world?
2. What was something really difficult you had to go through and what did you learn from it?
The interview stage is really important, and I can't stress this enough. Find a way to make yourself unique. The teachers were honestly really nice and I didn't feel intimidated at all so remember to not be too nervous entering these!!
The JMSS entry is pretty tough and if you've made it to the interviews already, then well done. I'm pretty sure the cutdowns are from 1000 in the testing stage, 500 in the interviews and 200 that are accepted. Also I don't know if this is allowed, but during the tests I sneaked a few screenshots of some questions... they should be inserted somewhere.
GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU APPLYING!!!!
Wow! Great guide! I think this should be extremely useful for future students. Also, why did you decline the offer (just wondering)?
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Wow! Great guide! I think this should be extremely useful for future students. Also, why did you decline the offer (just wondering)?
hiii
i did the JMSS test mostly to up my confidence ahahah, I already go to a decent private school and I'm not even sure I wanna pursue science in the future!
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this is a great guide, if any future applicants need help, feel free to pm me. I've got an arsenal of tricks I wouldn't mind sharing and heaps (tons) of resources. good luck :)
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Hi guys,
for anyone who's done the exam, which tutoring service would you recommend? i'm thinking either edu-kingdom or JAC.
cheers
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Hey, im a year 10 wanting to apply to jmss yr 11 entrance and i have a few questions.
How hard is the test compared to the yr 10 entrance?
What is the interview like and what should i start doing now to prepare for it?
how many students apply?
how many students get in?
what are the minimum scores to get an interview?
does jmss encourage u to do a language?
thanks
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Hey! thanks for your reply, in my case im doing yr 11 entrance this year. Do you know how many students apply and how many get accepted? thanks
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Hey, ah okay. Are there any resources you think would be good to use in order to prepare for the exam and interview? thanks for your reply once again.
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Hello,
I wanted to create my own thread but wasn't sure how to so I'll just chat here.
I wanted to know more about the year 10 2023 entry into a victorian selective school and if anyone is trying out. I tried out last year for year 9 but sadly did not pass. Does anyone know what the process is and when the applications open?
Thanks in advance :)
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Hi,
There is an entrance exam preparation company named Henderson’s who may be able to give resources. Apart from that, there is practice questions on the internet.
The interview is more a personal thing, so individually practising is the best way to go. Companies sometimes advertise interview preparation, but beware as this is not worthwhile, and you are better off researching or gaining advice from graduates of the school.
This is true to some extent. Henderson’s offer good interview prep and recreates the actual interview with questions that were asked in past years.
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This is true to some extent. Henderson’s offer good interview prep and recreates the actual interview with questions that were asked in past years.
Is hendersons good for jmss prep?
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If anyone's trying out for year 10 2023 entry into a selective school, please check out my thread :)
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Is hendersons good for jmss prep?
The tests were pretty similar to the actual test but harder, but then again the jmss test is really easy. They also mark your writing so that’s a plus. I would choose to get henderson’s a few weeks before the actual exam to determine your level and how you’re going. But don’t be disappointed by your score as people don’t get as much as they anticipate (especially in writing haha).
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Hey there, I am thinking about about applying for JMSS for year 11 2023 entry, and I was wondering whether the test for year 11 entry is harder, and whether it is different from the year 10 entry test.
Thanks a ton
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Hello! We are JMSS students and we wish to offer help and our own experiences and anecdotes (as new year 10 jmss students) to students aiming to enter year 10 at JMSS for 2023! Many of you will experience what we have experienced last year and that little bit of relatability can certainly go a long way in terms of confidence and performance in the exam and interview! We have created a discord server to ensure efficient and quick responses. Necessary resources and 1 on 1 interview practice can be provided and everything is extremely flexible. We also foster a friendly and accepting environment that ensures collaboration, an essential value for jmss students! If anyone is interested, feel free to join the server. Q/A sessions can be held through calls to maximise knowledge transmission and ensure confidence in potential JMSS students! Also, for those who get in, if you wish to do Methods in year 10 you will have to pass a test and we can most certainly help you with preparing as year 10 methods students. The server link is https://discord.gg/eRFQNHhYBw . Good luck and we are ready to help when needed! I certainly hope the best for all of you in your entrance exams and interviews for jmss 2023.
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hey there everyone!
umm so ive been going to ekc for jmss classess and im getting exposed to the material so its pretty useful....i'd like to know if anyone has been there and like if if got u in and tips on the test
ps - sorry for my bad typing my keyboard is missing keys :)
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Hi guys,
for anyone who's done the exam, which tutoring service would you recommend? i'm thinking either edu-kingdom or JAC.
cheers
hey hey I'm a current year 10 in JMSS, and i went to edukingdom in preparation for the test, I recommend it. idk if it varies between locations but my place also provided interview practice (after I passed the tests), so its pretty good overall I think.
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Hello! I'm planning on doing the Year 10 2023 entry test this year, and I have a question about preparing for the test.
My school doesn't use any textbooks for science, so does anyone have any good resources that I could use to prepare? These could be theory notes or even practice prac report topics, just anything that you think would help me with the science portions of the test.
Thanks a bunch in advance! :D
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I have one more question ;D
Is there a way I can sort of brush over the fact that I don't do any extracurriculars? I was thinking if it came up in the interview I could just tell the truth and say how my school doesn't provide any extracurriculars suited to my interests in physics and IT (and then tie it back to the fact that jmss's extracurriculars would be able to cater for my interests) or, would it be better not to talk about my current school at all?
Thanks!!
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I did the yr 10 entry last yr and unfortunately flopped, but I'm planning on doing it again for yr 11 this yr. Is it any different compared to last time? and if so how?
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hiya! so umm I don't know how to like mention ppl but from all the things that i read and experienced from tuitions and school i used : Ted talks, Khan academy, yr 10 n 9 oxford, yr 10 icas tests and tuition prac tests. Some topics that we covered were Physics, Geology, Biology and basic chemistry, also for science reasoning there is a lot of numerical reasoning questions well this is from my tuition. Its like a mix of selective school numerical and school science.
But yh to sum up :
Khan academy on like genetics and chem basics and earth science + yt vids
ICAS practice science tests
oxford yr 9+10
and like i find some books at da library as well as tuition stuff:)
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also im trying for the yr 10 entry thiss yr too!
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Thank you for bringing new knowledge to everyone, it is very helpful slope 2
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Is the Jmss yr 11 entrance format same as yr 10 entrance format. I've heard that in yr 11 entrance exam u have science knowledge test instead of science report
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will there be exponentials in the test along with truncus etc.
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will there be a lot of worded problems/problem solving and are they hard?
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I just did the year 10 jmss entry test for 2023 does anybody know when we will know if we got an interview? thanks so much
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I just did the year 10 jmss entry test for 2023 does anybody know when we will know if we got an interview? thanks so much
july mid i think cuz the interviews are from the 3rd of aug to the 10th
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I just did the year 10 jmss entry test for 2023 does anybody know when we will know if we got an interview? thanks so much
The email sent by the school states that the interview will take place in August. I'm guessing your parents will be contacted mid to late July because some previous applicants have said that their interview was a week after they got the email.
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Yeah exactly as he said, its best to prepare for the interview even before the exam results come out, so you can maximise the amount of preparation that you can have.