Victorian Selective School Year 9 - Exam Guide [ACER]
Exam Format
4x Multiple Choice & 2x Written: Reasoning-Reading (50Q/35min), Reasoning-Mathematics (35Q/30min), General Ability-Verbal (60Q/30min), General Ability-Quantitative (50Q/30min), Writing-Persuasive (20min), Writing-Creative (20min)
Reasoning - Reading
Assesses comprehension across a variety of text types including narrative, expository, and argumentative passages. Students must identify main ideas, make inferences, evaluate arguments, and interpret vocabulary in context. 50 questions in 35 minutes requires efficient reading strategies.
Reasoning - Mathematics
Covers number and algebra, measurement and geometry, statistics and probability. Questions range from straightforward calculations to multi-step problems requiring logical reasoning. 35 questions in 30 minutes allows slightly more time per question than Edutest format.
General Ability - Verbal
Tests language-based reasoning through analogies, antonyms, synonyms, sentence completion, and logical word relationships. Requires a broad vocabulary and the ability to identify patterns in language. 60 questions in 30 minutes demands fast, accurate processing.
General Ability - Quantitative
Evaluates numerical and spatial reasoning through number sequences, pattern recognition, data interpretation, and quantitative comparisons. Less reliant on curriculum knowledge than the maths section, focusing instead on raw problem-solving ability.
Writing - Persuasive
Students write a persuasive response to a given topic in 20 minutes. Assessed on argument quality, logical structure, use of evidence, vocabulary range, and writing conventions. The shorter time limit compared to Edutest demands concise, focused writing.
Writing - Creative
A 20-minute creative writing task responding to a prompt. Markers assess narrative structure, originality, descriptive language, character or setting development, and technical accuracy. Efficient planning is critical given the tight time constraint.
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