Hi,
I haven’t done the year 10 exam, but just got in for the year 9 one. While studying for it, I read about the year 10 stuff as well in case it comes up or if I fail. For year 10, you need to be good in something or another and do something extracurricular/socially. For example, if you play cricket at a high level and have won some debating comps, piano auditions or something along those lines, and you do reasonably well in the test, then you may well get a place (but there are very limited spots so this may not be 100% true). For the 4 selective school tests in year 10, I believe the format and number of question is the same but the caliber will be much harder.
However, I wouldn’t advise to do this, as there are science schools up such as EBSS and JMSS. Another user named Di.dact has siaid this about the format:
Science Schools
EBSS Year 10-11(Individual guide:
https://atarnotes.com/forum/index.php?topic=176822.0)
5 Tests:
1. Mathematics [60 questions, 30min]
2. Science Reasoning [15 questions, 30min]
3. Verbal Reasoning [50 questions, 30min]
4. Reading Comprehension [40-50 questions, 30min]
5. Essay about how EBSS can help you [15min]
JMSS Year 9-10
5 Tests:
1. Mathematics [60 questions, 30min]
2. Science Reasoning [15 questions, 30min]
3. Verbal Reasoning [50 questions, 30min]
4. Reading Comprehension [40-50 questions, 30min]
5. Science Writeup Report [15min] (I think there were 2 writeups when applying in year 9)
You don’t have to do any ICAS or AMC tests, but doing them and having good results will certainly boost your chances in the year 10 interview.
This is what Di.dact said about availability and requiments:
Year 10
250 available spots.
Total Applicants: 1200 (200 NHS, 800 JMSS, 200 SCHS, MHS ??, MGHS ??)
Spots available;
Boys:
MHS - 20-25
NHS - 5
SCHS - 5?
JMSS -100
Girls:
MGHS - 20-25?? (not sure)
NHS - 5
SCHS - 5?
JMSS - 100
Requirements:
At least 3 superiors for the 4 selective schools (very limited spots, I only got 2 and was not able to make top 10). JMSS needs to have at least 1 superior and able to do well in the interview.
I’m not really sure about any of the standards you have to meet or the exact level of difficulty. Watch some of Jayce Batallones’ videos about the selective 3xam, JMSS and EBSS, he is very helpful and provides great detail and I practically got my content checklist from him.
Hope this helps and thanks Di.dact, not me, lol