Understanding Private School Scholarship Tests in NSW
In New South Wales (NSW), many private schools offer scholarships to outstanding students, providing an excellent opportunity for families seeking high-quality education. While private schools are usually open to anybody willing to pay the fees, a scholarship will allow a student the same educational opportunities at a much lower cost. These scholarships might cover the full fees, or they might provide a substantial fee reduction. There are three common types of tests used to identify students with exceptional academic abilities: the ACER Scholarship Test, ASS test and Newman.
ACER Private School Entrance Exam
ACER (also known as the Australian Council for Educational Research)produces one of the three most commonly tests used for private school scholarships.
The Exam for year 7 or 8 will have 4 sections:
TEST 1:
Written expression 1 (25 minutes) – This is about originality and the ability to use the language correctly and effectively. There will be a prompt, basically an idea, or a picture, that will form the basis of this writing. And the child may be told to write a narrative, or persuasive, or a discussion piece. A prepared, memorised essay is not really possible as the prompt will never be known in advance. Not writing on the prompt may mean a nil mark.
TEST 2:
Humanities Comprehension and Interpretation (40 minutes) – This will be interpretation of fiction or non-fiction texts, poetry, cartoon, maps or diagrams. There will be more than 40 questions, so there is less than a minute for each answer. Pre-existing knowledge will not help with this test as the information to be interpreted is contained only in the test itself. Preconceived idea from pre-existing knowledge might even be counterproductive!
TEST 3:
Mathematics Achievement and Reasoning (40 minutes) – This looks at the ability to use math and science concepts. While the math involved is straightforward the application can be difficult. The child must be able to discern which of many mathematical concepts applies to a particular real world situation. The answers are multiple choice, with 40 questions in 40 minutes.
TEST 4:
Written 2 expression 2 (25 Minutes) – Similar to question one, but the student will be asked to write in a different style with a different prompt. This might be persuasive, or creative narrative, or comparison.
Academic Assessment Services (AAS) Test
The AAS test is less common but still used by several private schools in NSW. This test evaluates:
- Verbal Reasoning: Language-based reasoning skills.
- Mathematics (45minutes): Problem-solving and mathematical reasoning.
- Abstract Reasoning (45minutes): Pattern recognition and logical thinking.
- Reading Comprehension (45minutes): Understanding and interpreting texts.
The Newman Test
The Newman Test is a selective entrance examination used by many Catholic and private schools in NSW. Named after Cardinal John Henry Newman, it is linked to an education program that focuses on offering a challenging and enriched curriculum to gifted students, fostering their academic and personal growth.
- Verbal Reasoning: This section evaluates a student’s ability to understand and reason using concepts framed in words. It involves tasks such as analogies, synonyms, antonyms, and comprehension questions.
- Numerical Reasoning: This part assesses a student’s capacity to work with numbers and understand mathematical concepts. It includes questions on arithmetic, sequences, patterns, and problem-solving.
- Reading Comprehension: Students are required to read passages and answer questions that test their understanding, interpretation, and critical analysis of the text.
- Mathematics: This section focuses on more advanced mathematical reasoning, including algebra, geometry, and data interpretation. It tests students’ ability to apply mathematical concepts to solve complex problems.
- Writing Task: Some versions of the Newman Test may include a writing task where students are asked to write an essay or a creative piece. This assesses their ability to express ideas clearly and coherently in written
Private School Entrance Exam Tutoring
Can tutoring of coaching help a student in these types of exams? Yes, it can help in some aspects of the exam. Learning good grammar and compositional skills will help with the written expression test. And the child will need to understand the distinction between persuasive, creative and other type of writing. But it is still up to the child to be creative and original. A child who reads widely for enjoyment will have some advantage, as they have developed their language skills. But this is only part of what is being tested.
Solid math concepts will help with the third test, but the child will still need to be able to apply the concepts in the right way. Correct application is not easy to teach, which is the point of the test. They are looking for children who can think for themselves.
Private School Entrance Exam Coaching
One aspect of exams is the ability to perform under pressure and time limits. Stress can compromise a student’s performance, and this may cost them a successful scholarship. Coaching addresses this by having the student sit several in class practice tests that have the same format as the Private school exam. Familiarity helps the child perform well on the actual test, so they are used to the time limit and under less stress.
Private School Scholarships in Sydney
There are several Private Schools in Sydney. Parents of children who obtain a scholarship can benefit from a superior education with significantly reduced fees. Please consider both the reputation of the each private school, as well as the location for travel arrangements.
Edu-kingdom Private School Entrance Exam Coaching Program Hurstville
All education coaching classes are designed to bring a student toward their potential. Even the brightest student will benefit from improved exam technique and interaction with other capable minds. This help to build appropriate confidence, familiarisation with test situations, as well as the skills needed for superior academic performance. Coaching programmes for Private School scholarship give a student the best chance of success. If you are looking for quality Private School Entrance Exam tutor in Hurstville, contact us now.