Your Guide to Preparing for Private School Entrance Exams
Exams can be stressful for children, especially ones that come with high expectations - like school entrance exams. Thousands of students sit private school entrance exams every year in Australia, hoping to secure a spot at an elite school. Unfortunately, only a small percentage of those who sit this exam will succeed.
Setting your child up for success in this exam not only reduces their stress levels and potential disappointment, but can help set them up for a successful academic future and to enjoy the opportunities that come from attending top schools. Here’s our expert guide to exam preparation and success.
Why Private Schools Require Entrance Exams
Private schools are just that - private. They maintain their elite standards and reputation by strictly and specifically selecting which students they accept, and entrance exams help them review prospective students equally and efficiently.
Some of the main reasons private schools require entrance exams include:
Competition for students
There is high competition amongst schools for high-performing students, as they in turn reflect well on the school and boost school rankings and reputation. Those with a history of academic excellence and who score highly in exams have a good chance of acceptance.
Cultural Fit
Private schools look for potential students that align with the school's values and will be a good cultural fit, improving the school's diversity, achievements or capabilities.
High demand
More and more parents are choosing to send their children to private schools, which is creating high demand and limited capacity. This increase in demand requires schools to be more selective.
What To Expect From An Entrance Exam
Entrance exam content and requirements will vary between schools. Some schools design their own entrance exams tailored to their curriculum and values, which may include subject-specific tests or general ability tests.
Many schools use customised exams commissioned from reputable organisations that create placement exams for schools. These include:
ACER (Australian Council for Educational Research) Exams
Edutest
Academic Assessments
Exams are typically held on-site at the school or a designated testing center. They are timed and supervised, and can last between 2 to 4 hours, depending on the school and the number of sections.
Some schools might require additional information or participation as part of entrance exam requirements, including
Interviews: To assess the student’s character, interests, and alignment with the school’s values.
Portfolios or Auditions: For students applying for scholarships in areas like music, art, or sports.
References: From teachers or principals to provide insight into the student’s behavior and academic performance.
Supporting documents: This can include students’ last NAPLAN result, two recent school reports and any other documents showing academic achievement.
Top Preparation Tips
1. Start Early
Having enough time to prepare, practice and build confidence before an exam is vital. Entry exams for Year 7 placements are usually held at the beginning of Year 6, so students will need to start preparing in Year 5. (The timing for scholarship exams or entry into other years may differ by school). However, if you plan to send your child to private school, it’s really never too early to start preparing them, even through simple activities like reading and writing when they’re younger. Getting them involved early with extracurricular activities can also improve their attractiveness as candidates.
2. Use Practice Exams
Practic exams are one of the most helpful prep tools students can use. Practice entrance exams are widely available online, especially those from ACER, Edutest and Academic Assessments. They mimic real exams and get students used to the types of questions they will be asked, as well as how to construct high quality answers. Parents should help mark practice exams so students can learn and improve each time (online tutors can also help with this).
3. Practice Time Management
Students not only need to be able to answer questions confidently but also efficiently. Entrance exams have a set time frame in which all questions and sections need to be completed, so it’s important to practice this skill. Practice tests will help with this, but overall time management and ability to manage in high-pressure environments is a must.
4. Have Some Answers Prepared
If there’s an interview portion to the entrance exam, practicing speaking and answering questions, as well as having some good examples and anecdotes prepared, will help students make a good impression. It’s one thing to answer questions on paper, but another to speak confidently in front of a panel of strangers! This is also something parents or tutors can help provide feedback on.
5. Engage A Tutor
Tutors aren’t just for those struggling at school. Tutors can help kids of all levels and ages meet their academic goals - including acing their entrance exams. Entrance exam tutoring is specifically designed to work with students to prepare them for elite school exams, with tutors that have expert knowledge and experience of these exams. You can also look at scholarship exam tutoring if your child is hoping to earn a scholarship to an elite school.
Setting Your Child Up For Success
Preparing for private school entrance exams can be challenging, but with the right strategies and support, your child can approach these assessments with confidence. Preparing early and utilising the resources available to you will help relieve some of the pressure.
Engaging a tutor can be one the best things you can do to prepare your child and set them up for success. Private tutoring not only addresses specific academic challenges but also boosts self-confidence, motivation, and overall academic performance through one-on-one learning experience and customised lessons.
Remember, the goal is not just to pass an exam but to encourage ongoing academic excellence and resilience in the face of challenges. With dedication, practice, and the right support system, your child is well-equipped to succeed.