Tips to Ready Your Child for Selective School Entry

As a parent, you aspire to provide your child with the best educational opportunities possible. For many families in Victoria, this includes aiming for a spot in a selective school—a hallmark of academic excellence.

Hendersons understands the importance of thorough preparation for selective school entry exams and has compiled valuable tips to help parents guide their children on this journey:

1. Start Early

Preparation for selective school entry should ideally begin early to allow sufficient time for skill development and familiarisation with the exam format. Exam preparations can begin as early as Year 6 with Hendersons' Ignite Program. However, if you are starting after this, don't worry, there are still things you and your child can do to prepare for the select entry high school exam.

2. Identify Strengths and Weaknesses

Every child has unique strengths and areas for improvement. Before diving into intensive preparation, it's beneficial to assess your child's current academic abilities. This can help tailor their study plan to focus on areas where they need the most support. It's a good idea to look at your child's most recent academic reports, as well as speaking to their teachers to work out focus areas for their preparation.

3. Enrol in a Preparation Program

Hendersons offers exam preparation Programs that are specifically designed to prepare students for the selective school entrance exam. Programs include workshops that cover essential areas in the exam such as Mathematics, Writing, Reading, and Reasoning (verbal and numerical). Programs also include other services, such as practice exams, to support your child's preparations. Enrolling your child in a Program with Hendersons provides them with structured guidance, practice materials, and expert instruction.

4. Practise Regularly

Consistent practise is key to success in the selective school entrance exam. Encourage your child to regularly complete sample questions (such as those provided in the Bonus Materials after Workshops) and practice exams. We recommend simulating the pressures of the exam by setting time limits to answer sets of questions. Practice not only improves familiarity with the exam format but can also boost your child's confidence in tackling challenging problems.

5. Foster a Positive Mindset

Preparing for selective school entry can be demanding, but it's essential to maintain a positive and supportive environment at home. Encourage your child to stay motivated, set achievable goals, and celebrate their progress along the way.

6. Seek Additional Support

If your child needs extra help in specific areas, consider enrolling them in one-on-one tuition sessions with Hendersons. These personalised sessions provide tailored support in Mathematics, English, and Science.

7. Stay Informed

Stay up-to-date with important dates, exam formats, and requirements from the selective schools your child is interested in. We provide regular updates in our newsletter, Hendersons News (you can subscribe at the bottom of this page). We also recommend visiting the Victorian Government's Selective Entry High School website and thoroughly reading the information related to your child's preferred school/s. Hendersons also runs free, online information sessions that provide insights into the Victorian school system, examination preparation, and the services on offer from Hendersons.

Preparing your child for selective school entry requires careful planning, dedication, and support. With Hendersons Educational Services by your side, you can ensure that your child is equipped with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to excel in the selective school entrance exam.

For more information on our exam preparation Programs for select entry high schools, please download the relevant Program Flyer here.