Independent Australian learning platform. Maths, English and Quantum Learning for curious minds.

Try free practice
Pi Leo Academy Clear learning. Confident thinking.
Victorian Selective Entry · Parent Guide

The Selective Entry exam, explained for parents.

Understand the Year 9 entry examination for Victoria’s four selective entry high schools, then explore Academy practice ideas for maths, reasoning, reading and writing.

Check ACER's current format guidance and official eligibility information. Pi Leo Academy is independent of ACER, the Department and the schools.

Start Free Trial Explore the 5 exam sections See the 12-week plan
Three test areas
Maths & Quantitative · Reading & Verbal · Writing
Knowledge ceiling
Nothing beyond Year 8 curriculum
Writing tasks
Two separate pieces, both marked
Format
Multiple-choice reasoning + written responses
What the test measures

Five skill areas, one clear overview

The Victorian Selective Entry exam tests across five distinct areas. Here's what each one actually involves — and the core skills your child needs.

1

Mathematics

Applying mathematical knowledge and reasoning in context.

Students translate a real-world situation into maths, choose a strategy and solve it cleanly. Questions reward clear thinking and applying mathematical knowledge in context.

Practice ideas
  • Fractions, decimals and percentage conversions
  • Percentage of a quantity and simple financial reasoning
  • Ratios, equivalent ratios and best-buy comparisons
  • Setting up algebra from words and solving equations
  • Angles, triangle and quadrilateral facts, transversals
  • Perimeter, area and volume in real contexts
  • Circle work: circumference, area, semicircles and quarter-circles
  • Order of operations under time pressure
Read full guide
2

Quantitative Reasoning

Patterns, number logic and spatial transformations.

Less about computation and more about recognising a rule, working backwards from conditions and seeing how shapes or numbers relate. Practice can include discussing more than one possible strategy.

Practice ideas
  • Number sequences and rule detection
  • Working backwards from given conditions
  • Part-whole numerical logic with fractions and ratios
  • Visual and spatial transformation of shapes or dot patterns
  • Abstract relationships between numbers and quantities
  • Reading tables, sample spaces and simple Venn diagrams
Read full guide
3

Reading

Reading for meaning, inference and viewpoint — not trivia.

Short texts test whether a student can retrieve information, infer the unstated, spot the main idea, compare viewpoints and notice loaded vocabulary. Recall of literary facts is not the goal.

Practice ideas
  • Retrieve explicit information under time pressure
  • Infer ideas that are implied but not stated
  • Identify the central idea of a passage
  • Compare two viewpoints or writers' positions
  • Detect assumptions behind an argument
  • Evaluate claims and evidence
  • Understand vocabulary in context and recognise tone
Read full guide
4

Verbal Reasoning

Thinking in words — analogies, logic and precision.

Students work with meaning relationships, classify words by category, draw "must be true" conclusions from stated conditions and choose vocabulary with fine-grained precision.

Practice ideas
  • Analogies and semantic relationships
  • Odd-one-out classification by meaning
  • Synonym and antonym nuance
  • Must-be-true logic from given conditions
  • Consequence and assumption reasoning
  • Vocabulary precision under exam timing
Read full guide
5

Writing

Two tasks · planning, structure and precise language.

Markers reward clear task response, well-organised ideas, precise vocabulary and controlled sentences. Students should be comfortable planning fast, drafting tightly and editing on the fly.

Practice ideas
  • Respond directly and fully to the task
  • Generate and develop relevant ideas quickly
  • Organise paragraphs and transitions coherently
  • Use precise, varied vocabulary
  • Maintain accurate grammar, punctuation and spelling
  • Practise narrative, persuasive and discussion forms
Read full guide
Choose a useful starting point

10 practice topics to explore

These are Academy suggestions, not an official topic ranking. Choose a starting point based on your child’s current strengths and areas for practice.

#1
Fraction–decimal–percentage conversions Mathematics
#2
Percentage of a quantity Mathematics
#3
Ratio and equivalent ratio Mathematics
#4
Unit-price and best-buy reasoning Mathematics
#5
Setting up algebra from words Mathematics
#6
Solving one- and two-step equations Mathematics
#7
Circle circumference and area Mathematics
#8
Non-routine perimeter problems with π Mathematics
#9
Number sequences and rule detection Quantitative
#10
Working backwards from conditions Quantitative
See all 20 topics →
12-week prep plan

A clear week-by-week roadmap

This optional Academy plan combines topic practice and review. Adjust the pace, workload and use of timed practice to your child’s needs.

W1

Diagnostic week

Baseline each section

A full-length baseline test across all areas and a starter error log organised by topic.

W2

Fractions, decimals, percentages

Fluent conversions

Automatic conversions between forms and confident percentage-of-quantity word problems.

W3

Ratio and rates

Ratio, best buys, unit rates

Solve ratio problems without guesswork; compare unit prices quickly.

W4

Algebra from words

Expressions and equations

Turn worded situations into expressions and solve one- and two-step equations cleanly.

W5

Geometry core

Angles, area, perimeter, volume

Triangle and quadrilateral angle facts, transversals and measurement in real contexts.

W6

Circle geometry

Circumference, area, part-circles

Circle reasoning with π, including semicircles, quarter-circles and compound shapes.

W7

Quantitative patterns

Sequences, rules, visual transforms

Spot the rule fast, work backwards and handle dot-pattern and shape transformations.

W8

Verbal reasoning

Analogies, logic, vocabulary

Comfortable with analogies, odd-one-out, must-be-true logic and fine vocabulary choice.

W9

Reading reasoning

Main idea, inference, viewpoint

Read short passages for implication, tone, assumption and competing viewpoints.

W10

Writing intensives

Two timed pieces a week

Plan, draft and edit under time; improve paragraph structure and precise vocabulary.

W11

Mixed timed sets

Combined blocks under pressure

Full Maths/QR and Reading/Verbal blocks back-to-back with pacing discipline.

W12

Mock exam week

Two rehearsals + targeted review

Two full mock exams, pattern-based error review, no new topics introduced.

Open full roadmap →
Weekly rhythm

One possible practice week

3× Maths sessions
2× Reading and verbal reasoning sessions
2× Timed writing tasks
1× Mixed full-timed drill
Daily 10–15 min error-log review
Full rhythm guide
Exam-day habits

10 habits to practise

  • Translates worded situations into maths fast and accurately
  • Handles fraction, percent and ratio questions almost automatically
  • Recognises sequence rules and hidden relationships quickly
  • Stays calm on abstract quantitative and verbal logic items
  • Reads short texts for implication, not just surface meaning
  • Notices loaded words, assumptions and viewpoint shifts
  • Plans writing before drafting, even under time pressure
  • Keeps writing coherent and tightly structured
  • Knows when to skip, guess intelligently and move on
  • Reviews mistakes by pattern, not just by answer
Read more
Deep-dive guides

Five focused guides — one click each

Tap any card to open a dedicated page on that part of the exam. No long scroll, no clutter.

◈

Exam sections

What the test actually measures

Five distinct skill areas — maths, quantitative reasoning, reading, verbal reasoning and writing — explained one by one.

Open guide →
★

20 practice topics

Choose a useful starting point

20 suggested practice topics across maths, reasoning, reading, verbal and writing — colour-coded by section.

Open guide →
▦

12-week roadmap

Week-by-week prep plan

An optional Academy study plan with topic practice, review and exam-format familiarisation.

Open guide →
↻

Weekly rhythm & habits

A routine to adapt to your family

An optional Academy practice routine and ten habits to discuss with your child.

Open guide →
?

Parent FAQ

Quick answers

Common questions parents ask about the Victorian Selective Entry exam and how to prepare for it.

Open guide →
Parent FAQ

Quick answers about Selective Entry preparation

Useful answers for families comparing Victorian Selective Entry exam preparation options.

How hard is the Victorian Selective exam, really?

The exam is designed to challenge. Many strong students do not finish every question. The goal is not 100% — it is accurate, confident work on as many questions as possible in the time given.

Does it cover anything beyond Year 8?

No. The official guidance is that required knowledge does not exceed Year 8 curriculum. The challenge includes how familiar content is applied to unfamiliar, worded and abstract situations.

Which schools use this exam?

The central process is for Year 9 entry to Melbourne High School, The Mac.Robertson Girls’ High School, Nossal High School and Suzanne Cory High School. Eligible students apply while in Year 8. Applications for later entry are handled by the schools.

When should we start preparing?

Choose practice around your child’s current learning needs. Our 12-week plan is an optional Academy suggestion, not a requirement or a guarantee. ACER provides free sample questions for format familiarisation.

Ready to start

Turn the guide into real practice

Pi Leo Academy members get access to Selective-style quantitative and verbal reasoning drills, mock tests, worked solutions and a parent progress portal from $7.90 / month or $79 / year.

Start Free Trial See 100 Mock Tests → See the curriculum guide →
A calm next step

Find the right place to begin

Try a free topic quiz, or use the short maths check-up to identify useful practice areas.

Try Free Practice Take the Free Check-Up