Last‑Minute Exam Preparation Tips for Select Entry High Schools (SEHS)
- Hendersons Educational Services
- Apr 23
- 3 min read
With the Select Entry High Schools (SEHS) exam approaching, many families are feeling the pressure. Whether your child is aiming for Melbourne High School, Mac Robertson Girls’ High School, Nossal High School, or Suzanne Cory High School, the next 6-8 weeks offer a valuable window. This time is long enough to make meaningful progress, but close enough that every study session counts.
Effective Study Strategies for SEHS Preparation
If you’re wondering how to use this time effectively, here are some practical and realistic strategies. These will help students lift their performance without feeling overwhelmed.
Understanding the SEHS Exam Structure
A common mistake is relying solely on revision of schoolwork materials. The Year 9 Entry SEHS exam is different:
It tests Year 8 Maths content, but in multi-step, problem-solving formats.
It includes reasoning skills that aren’t taught in schools.
It requires timed writing, which most students rarely practice.
A good study plan should reflect these differences.
Focus on Application, Not Just Re-learning
At this stage, students should not be re-learning Year 8 Maths. Instead, they should be learning how to apply it to exam-style questions. Focus on:
Multi-step problems
Pattern recognition
Worded questions that require logical reasoning
Strategies for breaking down unfamiliar problems
The biggest gains often come from understanding how SEHS questions are structured and learning techniques for approaching them.
The Importance of Reasoning Skills
The SEHS exam includes Numerical Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning. These are not part of the standard curriculum taught in schools. Therefore, students need deliberate practice and will benefit immensely from exposure to reasoning-style questions. Useful approaches include:
Learning common reasoning question types
Practising elimination strategies
Building vocabulary for verbal reasoning
Strengthening mental maths for numerical reasoning
Reasoning is a skill that requires practice and should be included in final preparations.
Mastering Timed Writing
Timed writing is one of the biggest challenges for students. The best way to improve this is through consistent, timed practice.
Each week, aim for:
1-2 Creative Writing Pieces completed in 20 minutes.
1-2 Persuasive Writing Pieces completed in 20 minutes.
One of the challenges with timed writing is generating ideas that show unique perspectives and a deep understanding of a given prompt. To help prepare to do this quickly in the exam, exposure to a variety of prompts is key.
In addition to timed writing practice, spend 10 minutes a day planning responses to different prompts. Exposure to different topics helps students avoid "blank page panic" on exam day!
The Role of Regular Reading
Regular reading strengthens:
Vocabulary
Comprehension
Writing Quality
Idea-generation skills
Verbal reasoning skills
To prepare for the exam, students should:
Read newspaper articles every few days.
Read one piece of fiction a fortnight.
Mix genres: opinion pieces, features, short stories, biographies.
Even 15 minutes a day can make a noticeable difference.
Practicing Under Pressure
With 6-8 weeks remaining, students should rehearse performing under pressure and timed conditions. This includes:
Timed comprehension passages
Timed multiple-choice questions
Timed writing tasks
Timed maths drills
Full Practice Exams are also useful and can help identify areas where more study and timed practice are needed.
Establishing a Consistent Routine
Consistency beats cramming. Parents should encourage:
Regular sleep
Focused study sessions
Breaks between tasks
Exercise
Time away from screens
A steady routine helps students stay motivated and confident.
Want Structured Support for the Final Stretch?
Our May 2026 Intensive Package is designed specifically for students preparing for the SEHS exam. This package is ideal for families wanting high-impact study sessions in the weeks leading up to the test.
