SHS
Victorian Selective School Year 9 - Exam Guide [Edutest]
Jun 20, 2023
New 2023+ exam guide for ACER selective school is coming soon. Visit the link here to find out more.
Exam Format
4x Multiple Choice Exams & 2x Written Exams
Mathematics - 60Q - 30min
Numerical Reasoning - 50Q - 30min
Reading Comprehension - 50Q - 30min
Verbal Reasoning - 60Q - 30min
Persuasive Writing - 1 topic - 30min
Creative Writing - 1 topic - 30min
Mathematics
Is a test that measures year-level appropriate mathematical knowledge. Normally the concepts and problems have a difficulty of a year above your current year. Any of these topics can be tested so make sure to try to learn as much of these before you can. Many people will run out of time before finishing all questions in detail, so it is best to practice quick maths before you enter the exam room. Assuming answers (guessing the answer that looks the most correct) is also really useful to make you finish the test in time.
0: Maths Basics
Number Theory [y7]
Fractions [y6]
Decimals [y6]
Percentages [y6]
Ratios [y6]
BODMAS [y6]
Ascending and descending order [y6]
1: Algebra - 15-20
Simple algebra [y8]
Removing grouping symbols [y8]
Binomial products [y8]
Special products [y8]
Difference of perfect squares [y9]
Complex algebra [y10]
Factorisation [y8]
Common factors [y7]
Factorising by grouping [y8]
Monic quadratic trinomial [y8]
Non-monic quadratic trinomial [y9]
Further Factorisation [y10]
2: Surds - 5
Rules for surds [y8]
Simple Surds [y8]
Addition & Subtraction
Multiplication & Division
Binomial products of surds [y9]
Rationalisation [y9]
Complex algebraic fractions with surds [y10]
3: Indices - 4
Index rules [y7]
Negative powers [y8]
Fractional powers [y9]
Algebraic expressions involving a negative and fractional powers [y9]
4: Equations - 5
Simple equations [y8]
Inequations [y9]
Number lines [y8]
Formulae [y9]
Literal equation [y9]
Simultaneous equations [y9]
Quadratic equations [y9]
Completing the square [y10]
Quadratic formula [y9]
Cubic equations [y10]
5: Linear Relationships - 4
Distance formula [y8]
Midpoint formula [y8]
Gradient formula [y8]
Gradient form [y8]
Point-gradient formula [y8]
Two-point formula [y8]
Parallel and perpendicular lines [y9]
Linear graph [y8]
6: Non-Linear Relationships - 3
Graph Intersection [y8]
Parabolas [y8]
Cubic [y9]
Trunci graphs [y10]
Hyperbola graphs [y10]
Circle graphs [y10]
Exponential graphs [y10]
7: Pythagoras Theorem & Trigonometry - 2
Pythagoras Theorem [y8]
Pythagorean Triads [y8]
Right-angle trigonometry [y8]
Angle of elevation or depression [y8]
Bearings [y9]
True bearings [y9]
Exact trigonometric ratios [y8]
Graphs of trigonometric functions [y11]
Sine rule [y11]
Cosine rule [y11]
8: Geometry - 4
Angles [y8]
Parallel line angles [y9]
Angles for triangles [y9]
Angles for quadrilaterals [y9]
Circle geometry [y9]
Similar triangles [y9]
Congruent triangles [y9]
9: Probability - 6
Theoretical Probability [y8]
Experimental Probability [y8]
Venn diagrams [y8]
Two-way Tables [y8]
Tree diagrams [y8]
Probability with replacement [y8]
Probability without replacement [y8]
Conditional probability [y9]
Permutations and combinations
Selections and identical terms
10: Statistics - 4
Mean, Median, Mode [y8]
Types of Graph [y8]
Interquartile range [y9]
Dot plots [y10]
Stem-and-leaf plots [y10]
Box plots [y10]
Skew [y10]
11: Financial mathematics - 4-8
Financial application of percentages [y8]
Tax [y8]
Interest [y8]
Simple interest [y9]
Compound interest [y10]
Depreciation [y10]
Comparison of prices
12: Rates & Proportion - 3
Conversion [y7]
Direct Proportion [y9]
Indirect Proportion [y9]
13: Mensuration - 4 (1 of each)
Perimeter [y8]
Area [y8]
Surface Area [y9]
Volume [y9]
14: Abstract Reasoning [y9] - 1Q (normally a net)
15: Kinematics [y9] - 1-3Q
16: Sequences and Series [y9]: 1-3Q (more helpful on numerical for number patterns)
17: Functions & Logarithms (Year 11)
Logarithms [y10]
Logarithmic equations [y10]
Logarithmic laws [y10]
Numerical Reasoning
To sum it up it is more of an IQ test around numbers. A lot of patterns and worded problems will be presented, so it is up to you to turn them into formulas or mathematical methods of calculation.
Number Patterns
Series
arithmetic, geometric, geometric, addition, subtraction, division, multiplication, squares, cubes, fibonacci
Grids
Include magic squares, but can have a variety of patterns
Tables
Circles
Boxes
Tables
—maybe—
Sequences
Sequence Sum
Nth term for arithmetic and geometric sequences
Odd number out
Worded Problems
Financial Problems
Coins
Total amount
Minimum amount
Amount required
Cost
New cost
Original cost
Savings
Profit and Loss
Simple Interest
Compound Interest
Successive Discounts
Depreciation
Time Problems
Time fraction
New time
Original time
Time conversion
Age problems
Motion Problems
Speed - Average speed, Total speed
Distance - total distance
Time - Average Time, Total time
Locations and directions
Simultaneous worded problems
Probability worded Problems
Ratio problems
Proportion problems
Rates
Average
Distribution remainders
Verbal Reasoning
There are roughly 12 main question types that are most commonly included on all the exams.
1: Synonyms
Which of the following is most similar in meaning to __:
2: Antonyms
Which of the following is not similar in meaning to ___:
3: Four Words Alike
Four of the following words are alike in some way.
Which is the odd word out?
4: Box Words
___, ___, ___, ___
All of the words in the box below are alike in some way.
5: Foreign Language
In a foreign language
__ means __.
__ means __.
__ means __.
What does __ mean?
6: Two Statements
Find the two statements that together prove that:
1:
2:
3:
4:
5:
7: Analogies
___ is to ___ as ___ is to ___:
8: Information Deduction
Information deduction from a paragraph.
9: Syllogisms
Assume that all/some/none ___ are ___, all/some/none ___ are ___, and all/some/none ___ are ___.
10: Anagrams
Unjumble and add a letter. If 1 consonant/vowel is added to: ___ it forms a word meaning __.
11: Rebus Puzzle
The following question is a rebus puzzle. Try and find the meaning of the photo.
12: Word Pyramid
Which word is missing from the word pyramid below?
Reading Comprehension
Key Skills
Grammar
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Adverbs
Conjunctions
Preposition
Determiners
Interjections
Persuasive language techniques
Alliteration
Anecdote
Clichés
Emotive Language
Evidence
Exaggeration
Expert Opinion
Generalisation
Irony
Metaphor
Pun
Rhetorical Question
Repetition
Sarcasm
Slang
Statistics
Stereotype
Tone
Question Types
Text inferencing - 50% of the exam
Understanding the key themes
Being able to find key pieces of information within a set time
Choosing the most correct answer
Error Correction
Sentence Manipulation