What should you know for year 10 entry?

[vashappenin]

Hi guys,

I'm tutoring someone who wants to try out for the year 10 selective entry/accelerated programs at a school that offers the program (i.e. this isn't Macrob, MHS, etc. it's just a normal school that has this program as well). I think her test is in 1-2 months and I want to prepare her as best as I can. However, I'm not sure what sorts of topics to go through with her. Does anyone have any experience sitting one of these tests? All I know is that it's run by edutest (and apparently it's done on a computer, and it runs for about 100-150 mins, or so I've been told) but it isn't the same as the MHS/macrob/nossal/etc. tests. I was just wondering what sorts of areas/topics are tested for maths (especially maths) and english? Any particular books/website that may be of use?

Thanks in advance!

[SKGUN11]

Hey,
Well if it helps I have sat 3 edutest exams and one for year 10 entry this year! The tests should be similiar, they were

Verbal Reasoning (60 questions in 30 minutes)
Numerical Reasoning (50 questions in 30 minutes)
Mathematics (60 questions in 30 minutes)
Reading Comprehension (50 questions in 30 minutes)
Analytical Writing (15 minutes)
Creative Writing (15 minutes)

The timing seems crazy right? Well, I guess this exam is about tactics as well as knowledge! I will guide you through each tests on my perspective because I did it a few months ago. Also what school is he/she trying for?

Verbal Reasoning: Should know advanced vocabulary, word patterns and have logical reasoning techniques. I'm sure you can get practice exams on that in the EduTest website, they are really similar even though it is meant to be for year 8's.

Numerical Reasoning: Need to know number patterns, magic squares, worded problems and also logical thinking. Kind of similiar to verbal reasoning as they both are IQ tests.

Mathematics: Full of questions in the full curriculum of the respected year level (year 9). The last 5 questions may contain complex questions from year 10 syllabus too. Tactics is key for these exams as well as the knowledge so dont expect to finish the whole exam. However it is possible. Skip over hard ones or complicated ones as they are all worth 1 mark.

Reading Comprehension: I found this the most difficult because to read a large passage and answer with stress, pressure and that time is really daunting. It is unlikely to be finished so just learn skim reading, picking up main events/ideas and understanding. Also, there are a few grammar fixing questions that I recommend doing first because they are easy!

Analytical Writing: Practice makes perfect here! Know the structure (T.E.E.L) and try use sophisticated vocabulary. It is possible to finish these, so practice writing in that time and practise these essays.

Creative Writing: Be creative, let your imagination rule over you. Think of anything, make a good plot, climax and end it resolved. Make it great and also use sophisticated vocabulary.

Hope this helps, this is from my point of view so it may or may not be useful!

[HermioneGranger29]

Heylo,

I am a maths geek so I will provide details of the test (currently in year 9, did the exam last June).
SKGUN11 had said that the Mathemagics test was mostly year 9 level and the last couple were year 10 questions. This is correct and the test does indeed contain questions that students may not have encountered before.
The test consist of these problems (I cannot remember all and will provide details only of the ones I remember)-

-Algebra- solving equations- theres a couple requiring you to solve algebraic fractions.
-Pythagoras- They may give you a rectangle and ask you to find the distance between a bottom edge to a top edge diagonal. Sorry but since theres like no picture and stuff I can't explain it that well. Therefore, you need the height of the rectangle and know the distance between the bottom edge to the bottom edge diagonal to it.
-Trigonometry- like one or two question- does not require to solve as we are not allowed calculators. All we had to do was to use the trig ratios. Eg. A) sin theta= 4/5 B) cos theta= 4/5.... and so on.
-Bearings
-Geometry
-Quadratics and linear graphs- Quadratics it may require knowledge on factorising, expanding and simplifying. Also, there was one or two graphs which required finding the midpoint of the quadratic.
-Surds- maybe a couple of expand and simplify- Eg. (2root3 -5)(5root 10-1). There may also be just simplify- Eg. root 50 would become 5 root 2

There are some other questions that require understanding of BODMAS, percentages and ratios.
There may also be questions that may be from year 8.

Also, here's a link to practise exams so you can have a general idea of what stuff will be on the test.
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/parents/secondary/pages/practicetests.aspx
I'm not sure what level the practise exams are, but they seem slightly easier so I would assume those practise test would be to prepare year 8 taking the test for year 9. Although it may be true, this is still very good reference to prepare.

[Hannibal]

For mathematics I did relevant exercises from the Year 9: Cambridge Essentials textbook, and it provided me with more than enough theory to tackle the test. Definitely aim to cover these areas:

- Angles
- Pythagoras
- Trigonometry (SOHCAHTOA)
- Linear Algebra
- Simultaneous Equations
- Linear Relations (Sketching, understanding the different properties)
- Measurement (Surface Area, Volume, Conversion, Area, Perimeter)
- Indices Law
- Surds
- Geometry (Basics behind Congruence, Similarity and Bearings)
- Factorising and Expanding (Make sure you can do these fast)
- Parabolas (Sketching and Properties)
- Quadratic Equations (Nulls Law will be useful)
- Probability (Optional but may save a few seconds in the test if you understand how a certain chart works)

A free login to Cambridge Hotmaths (Online program) is provided when you purchase the textbook, and can really help in exposing you to a diverse range of problems.

[SKGUN11]

For mathematics I did relevant exercises from the Year 9: Cambridge Essentials textbook, and it provided me with more than enough theory to tackle the test.
A free login to Cambridge Hotmaths (Online program) is provided when you purchase the textbook, and can really help in exposing you to a diverse range of problems.

I agree 100%. Cambridge Mathematics for the Australian Year 9 Curriculum will not do you wrong. We have it for our school textbook and its really great. Most things in their are actually on the exam and there are great explanations as well as the brilliant digital copy.