Month-by-Month SEHS Preparation Timeline - When to Start Each Subject

Timing is everything when it comes to selective entry exam preparation. Knowing the key dates - and what to focus on at each stage - can make the difference between a well-prepared student and one who is scrambling in the final weeks.

This guide covers every important date in the SEHS exam calendar and provides a month-by-month preparation timeline so you can plan with confidence.

Key Dates for the Selective Entry Exam

The Victorian selective entry exam is administered by ACER (Australian Council for Educational Research) on behalf of the Department of Education. It determines entry to four government selective entry high schools: Melbourne High School, Mac.Robertson Girls' High School, Nossal High School and Suzanne Cory High School.

Here are the dates you need to know:

Important: These dates are based on the typical SEHS exam calendar. Always check the official ACER and Department of Education websites for confirmed dates, as they can shift slightly from year to year.

The 12-Month Preparation Timeline

The best outcomes come from steady, structured preparation - not last-minute cramming. Here is what to focus on at each stage, working backwards from exam day in June.

1. 12 Months Before the Exam (Previous July)

   This is the ideal time to start. You are under no pressure and can build a strong foundation.

   • Take the free diagnostic test to identify your child's starting point across maths, reading, verbal reasoning and writing
   • Establish a regular study routine - even 20 to 30 minutes per day builds habits
   • Focus on reading for pleasure. Fiction, non-fiction, newspapers, magazines - variety matters
   • Begin basic maths revision: fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, area and perimeter

2. 9 Months Before the Exam (Previous September - October)

   Build skills systematically. This is the skill-development phase.

   • Start practising verbal reasoning question types: analogies, word relationships, code-breaking
   • Introduce timed reading comprehension passages - aim for 5 minutes per passage initially
   • Begin writing practice with the SK Writing Lab - try both persuasive and narrative tasks
   • Review diagnostic results and focus on the weakest areas first

3. 6 Months Before the Exam (Previous December - January)

   School holidays are a prime opportunity. Your child has time and energy.

   • Increase study sessions to 45 to 60 minutes per day, 5 days a week
   • Start doing full timed practice sessions for individual sections
   • Take your first mock test under real exam conditions - strict timing, no breaks within sections, no help
   • Analyse mock test results carefully. Where did time run out? Which question types caused the most errors?
   • Set up a SK Study Buddy plan to structure the remaining months

4. 3 Months Before the Exam (March)

   This is the intensive phase. Skills should be solid - now you are building speed and accuracy.

   • Complete one full mock test every 2 weeks minimum
   • Drill weak areas identified from mock test data
   • Practise writing under strict 20-minute time limits - every session
   • Work on exam technique: reading questions before passages, eliminating wrong answers, managing time per question
   • Submit your child's application through the official ACER process (applications typically close in late April)

5. 1 Month Before the Exam (May)

   Refinement, not cramming. Your child should be consolidating what they already know.

   • Take a full-length mock test every week
   • Focus on pacing - can your child complete each section with a few minutes to spare?
   • Review all writing feedback and practise incorporating the suggestions
   • Keep reading daily. This is not the time to stop - reading comprehension fades quickly without practice
   • Begin reducing study intensity in the final week to avoid burnout

6. Exam Week

   Preparation is done. This week is about being calm, rested and ready.

   • Light revision only - review notes and key strategies, do not start new topics
   • Confirm the exam venue, time and what to bring (pencils, eraser, water, student ID)
   • Get to bed early every night. Sleep has a bigger impact on test performance than last-minute studying
   • Eat well. No sugar-heavy breakfasts on exam morning
   • Remind your child: they are prepared. This is not a surprise. They know what is coming

7. Exam Day (20 June)

   The exam runs for approximately 2.5 hours plus breaks:

   • Section 1: Maths and Quantitative Reasoning - 60 minutes
   • Break: 20 minutes
   • Section 2: Reading and Verbal Reasoning - 55 minutes
   • Break: 5 minutes
   • Section 3: Writing (2 tasks, 20 minutes each) - 40 minutes

   Arrive early. Bring everything the night before. Stay calm. Trust the preparation.

After the Exam - What Happens Next

The waiting period between the exam and results is the hardest part for most families. Here is what to expect:

September - Results Released

ACER releases results to families, typically in mid-September. You will receive a standardised score that ranks your child's performance against all candidates. There is no "pass mark" published - selection depends on the number of applicants and available places at each school.

October - Offers Made

Schools make offers to successful candidates. Your child may receive an offer from one or more of the four selective entry schools based on the preferences listed in the application. Melbourne High School is boys only. Mac.Robertson Girls' High School is girls only. Nossal High School and Suzanne Cory High School are co-educational.

Late October to November - Acceptance and Enrolment

You must accept or decline the offer by the specified deadline. After acceptance, schools will send enrolment packs and schedule orientation days. If you decline or do not respond by the deadline, the place may be offered to another student.

What If Your Child Does Not Receive an Offer?

This is not a reflection of your child's ability or potential. The exam is highly competitive, with thousands of applicants for a limited number of places. Many excellent students do not receive offers. Your child can re-sit the exam the following year (applications are typically for Year 9 entry, sitting in the year before). The skills they have built during preparation - analytical thinking, writing ability, time management - are valuable regardless of the outcome.

Start Your Preparation Today

Whether you are 12 months out or 3 months away, the most important step is knowing where your child stands right now. A clear picture of strengths and weaknesses lets you focus preparation where it matters most.

Recommended tools: SK FREE Diagnostic Test SK Mock Tests SK Study Buddy