Maths for the Victorian Selective Exam: Full Topic Breakdown

Apr 1, 20265 sections

Exam Format

A complete topic-by-topic breakdown of the mathematics content tested in Victorian selective entry exams (ACER and Edutest). Covers what to learn, what to skip, and how to prioritise your study.

How Maths Is Tested

Mathematics appears in every Victorian selective entry exam, whether administered by ACER or Edutest. But the format differs: ACER Reasoning — Mathematics: 35 questions in 30 minutes. Focuses on problem-solving and logical reasoning with mathematical content. Questions are designed to be challenging, and most students will not finish. Edutest Mathematics: 60 questions in 30 minutes. Faster pace, broader topic coverage, more procedural questions alongside reasoning. Rewards speed and accuracy. Both exams test content up to approximately Year 8-9 level, with some questions reaching Year 10 difficulty. You are not expected to know Year 10 content, but students who do have an advantage on the hardest questions.

Number and Algebra

This is the largest topic area and typically accounts for 40-50% of maths questions.

Essential Topics

• Operations with integers, fractions, decimals, and percentages
• Order of operations (BODMAS/PEMDAS)
• Ratios and proportional reasoning
• Algebraic expressions — simplifying, expanding, factorising
• Solving linear equations and inequalities
• Substitution into formulas
• Number patterns and sequences (arithmetic and geometric)
• Index laws and basic surds (Year 9-10 level)

Advanced (Year 9-10)

• Simultaneous equations
• Quadratic expressions and factorisation
• Linear and non-linear graphing
• Exponential notation and scientific notation

Measurement and Geometry

Typically 25-35% of questions. These questions often combine spatial reasoning with calculation.

Essential Topics

• Perimeter, area, and volume of standard shapes
• Angles — complementary, supplementary, vertically opposite, on parallel lines
• Properties of triangles, quadrilaterals, and circles
• Pythagoras' theorem
• Coordinate geometry — plotting points, finding midpoints, distance between points
• Transformations — reflection, rotation, translation

Advanced (Year 9-10)

• Trigonometry — SOH CAH TOA for right-angled triangles
• Surface area and volume of composite shapes
• Circle geometry — arc length, sector area
• Similar and congruent figures

Statistics and Probability

Typically 15-25% of questions. Often the most accessible section for students who find other topics challenging.

Essential Topics

• Mean, median, mode, and range
• Reading and interpreting graphs (bar, line, pie, histogram, stem-and-leaf)
• Probability of single events
• Probability of combined events (and/or rules)
• Data collection methods and bias

Advanced

• Two-way tables and Venn diagrams
• Box plots and interquartile range
• Relative frequency and experimental probability
• Misleading graphs and statistical claims

How to Prioritise Your Study

Not all topics are equally important. Here is how to allocate your preparation time: 1. Master the essentials first. If you cannot confidently solve linear equations, calculate percentages, and find areas of standard shapes, these should be your first priority. These topics appear in almost every exam. 2. Build speed on routine calculations. Many exam questions test straightforward skills under time pressure. Being able to calculate quickly and accurately with fractions, decimals, and percentages is worth more than knowing advanced topics slowly. 3. Add advanced topics gradually. Year 9-10 topics (trigonometry, quadratics, simultaneous equations) appear in the harder questions. These are worth learning if you have time, but not at the expense of mastering the basics. 4. Practise with exam-format questions. Knowing a topic and being able to answer an exam question on that topic are different skills. Use practice papers to bridge the gap. 5. Review mistakes systematically. After every practice session, categorise your errors: was it a conceptual gap, a calculation error, or a time management issue? Each requires a different response.

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