ATAR Notes: Forum

National Education => Admissions tests => Selective Schools Admissions Tests => Topic started by: simplyme on April 19, 2011, 09:12:35 pm

Title: Questions about MHS and selective school writing test
Post by: simplyme on April 19, 2011, 09:12:35 pm
I am preparing for the test for the selective school in Melbourne. Currently I want to get into Melbourne High School and I heard that competition is really fierce. I want to know about the written part of the exam. How long should each one be because I've been doing my own everyday and i could only do up to about a page and a bit but I've heard you have to do a page and a half! And what are the standards that I need to achieve to get superior in it.

Also are there any tips for reading comprehension because I've done the practice test and it was really hard and there is so little time for each question. :'(

Any help is appreciated :D
Title: Re: Questions about MHS and selective school writing test
Post by: Dr.Lecter on April 19, 2011, 09:15:42 pm
At least 300words for both
Title: Re: Questions about MHS and selective school writing test
Post by: taiga on April 19, 2011, 09:23:26 pm
1.5 to 2 pages. Good vocab, well structured, and it needs to make sense!

Reading comprehension is just about knowing the questions  before you read the text in my opinion
Title: Re: Questions about MHS and selective school writing test
Post by: Dr.Lecter on April 19, 2011, 09:32:40 pm
look for key words in the passages - they will give out what you are looking for
Title: Re: Questions about MHS and selective school writing test
Post by: simplyme on April 20, 2011, 02:31:35 pm
-__-lll  TWO PAGES?????  Really? How am I suppose to manage lol

So how is it structured like how long should you take doing each paragraph because when i do it i was writing nonstop and  didn't look up at all every time. Each time my best was like 1.5 pages.
I practice writing essays everyday (like literally everyday) and read on current issues but i still don't have enough to write 2 pages +_+

Title: Re: Questions about MHS and selective school writing test
Post by: Drunk on April 20, 2011, 06:23:49 pm
i wouldnt really stress out too much for the essays; if you do well on the other 4 aspects of the exam then you should be alright
that is if your year level at school has nobody but you attempting the exam or if the ones that are attempting it are a bunch of retards
i know a guy who didnt get any superiors and he got in because his old school had no one else try out
Title: Re: Questions about MHS and selective school writing test
Post by: pi on April 20, 2011, 06:33:18 pm
Might be worth having a look at these threads too:
http://vce.atarnotes.com/forum/index.php/topic,40269.0.html
http://vce.atarnotes.com/forum/index.php/topic,40258.0.html


i wouldnt really stress out too much for the essays; if you do well on the other 4 aspects of the exam then you should be alright
I know many people with superiors in the 4 other sections and only top 17%s in written, they didn't get in. They look for all-rounders.

that is if your year level at school has nobody but you attempting the exam or if the ones that are attempting it are a bunch of retards
i know a guy who didnt get any superiors and he got in because his old school had no one else try out
+1, if thats the case, then don't stress too much!
Title: Re: Questions about MHS and selective school writing test
Post by: simplyme on April 21, 2011, 12:12:21 pm
Would it be that easier if I go to the test without anyone from my school? Because I am the only one going to take the exam at my school and i think probably the only one in the whole town. (I live in Ballarat lol so no one even knows about the school there). Also, do you know any topics that has already been used for the analytical essay?
the ones i know that has already been used are:
should public transport be free
is google map good (or something)
and something about cloning
Title: Re: Questions about MHS and selective school writing test
Post by: Hutchoo on April 21, 2011, 02:05:11 pm
Would it be that easier if I go to the test without anyone from my school? Because I am the only one going to take the exam at my school and i think probably the only one in the whole town. (I live in Ballarat lol so no one even knows about the school there). Also, do you know any topics that has already been used for the analytical essay?
the ones i know that has already been used are:
should public transport be free
is google map good (or something)
and something about cloning
When I did the analytical part, I'm pretty sure it was on Kevin Rudd and his views/ideas on broadband access across Australia. I'm not 100% sure to be honest.

A good tip: I'd be reading newspapers (online if you want) for the most current issues/news with the Australian government etc.
It would be a good idea because most of the analytical topics come from current issues.


Title: Re: Questions about MHS and selective school writing test
Post by: taiga on April 21, 2011, 07:46:58 pm
Back in my day it was whether or not we should make transport free.

I think "should we introduce an internet filter" or something along the lines of that might be good.

If you like you can write a practice essay, post it in the English boards (clearly stating that it is a MHS entrance test) and I will mark it for you. (others may help too!)
Title: Re: Questions about MHS and selective school writing test
Post by: pi on April 21, 2011, 09:01:50 pm
My topics were:
"Should violent video games be banned in Australia" (analytical)
"Imagine a day in the life of either a bee or a bird" (creative)

Would be happy to look over one of your responses too :)
Title: Re: Questions about MHS and selective school writing test
Post by: Hutchoo on April 22, 2011, 12:33:55 am
Yeah, I wouldn't mind going over your responses as well :D
Good luck, man.
Title: Re: Questions about MHS and selective school writing test
Post by: simplyme on April 22, 2011, 11:32:25 am
thanks taiga, rohitpi and Hutchoo...will do as advised and look forward to your responses man... Happy Easter!
Title: Re: Questions about MHS and selective school writing test
Post by: simplyme on April 22, 2011, 05:57:07 pm
Back in my day it was whether or not we should make transport free.

I think "should we introduce an internet filter" or something along the lines of that might be good.

If you like you can write a practice essay, post it in the English boards (clearly stating that it is a MHS entrance test) and I will mark it for you. (others may help too!)

THANKS taiga, I've posted it in the english board under the name of
(MHS and selective school test. Can someone evaluate it for me please?)
Title: Re: Questions about MHS and selective school writing test
Post by: tinat2 on April 22, 2011, 07:41:21 pm
Hopefully this will make you feel a little better, but I go to Mac.Rob and did the test same year as Rohitpi.
I scored the 2nd highest for my analytical, but the 2nd lowest for my creative essay(yeah, shock horror everyone), and I STILL MADE IT OMG!#$@!%24. Yep.
My other scores weren't outstanding either so don't feel like only a 'superior' will get you anywhere.
Good luck :)
Title: Re: Questions about MHS and selective school writing test
Post by: labib1677 on December 16, 2013, 10:27:13 pm
HELP I HAVE SIX MORE MONTHS UNTIL THE SELECTIVE ENTRY TEST AND I DONT KNOW HOW TO PREPARE. IM ALSO OVERSEAS AND DONT GO TO SCHOOL. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME PLZZZZZZ
Title: Re: Questions about MHS and selective school writing test
Post by: Shenz0r on December 16, 2013, 10:32:17 pm
Please refer to this thread
Title: Re: Questions about MHS and selective school writing test
Post by: pi on December 16, 2013, 10:42:34 pm
As Shenz0r said, some good things to read in that post (and that thread in general)

HELP I HAVE SIX MORE MONTHS UNTIL THE SELECTIVE ENTRY TEST AND I DONT KNOW HOW TO PREPARE. IM ALSO OVERSEAS AND DONT GO TO SCHOOL. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME PLZZZZZZ

I think the easiest thing to practice if you're overseas is writing. Get some simple prompts (parents or older siblings can make them up) and get some pictures at random and write about them. Write them to time (15 minutes I think?).

If you can grab any books on "Reading Comprehension" wherever you are, they'd be a good help too.

I found that those areas were the trickiest for most applicants I talked to.