The Selective Entry High School Examination

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The Selective Entry High School Examination 是維州政府為墨爾本的精英中學（Selective Entry High Schools）選學生而設，考試時間是每年六月中旬，當年的8年級學生（不論公校私校）可以報名。墨爾本2009年及以前有兩所精英中學，一個男校 Melbourne High，一個女校 Mac Robertson Girls' High，2010年增加了一所男女混校 Nossal High，2011年又增加另一所男女混校 Cory High，這四所精英中學隻有9到12年級，有近3000人報名2011年的入學考試，錄取950人左右。每所普通中學最多隻能有5%的8年級在校生可以被精英中學錄取，如果你所在中學水平高，就是過了錄取線，也有可能被這5%的限製卡住。此外，2010年還開了一所混校 John Monash Science School，這所學校隻有10到12年級。

考試共有六個科目（兩大類），考試時間約三小時（星期天的中午11點半到下午3點半）。

第一類是 ABILITY TESTS，下有 Verbal Reasoning 和 Numerical Reasoning 兩個科目，全是選擇題。

官方的說明是：
The Abilities tests are designed to assess a student's ability to think, reason and solve problems, without necessarily relying on prior knowledge. Ability generally predicts how quickly a child will be able to learn and the level of complexity they can comfortably deal with. Please note that most students tend to perform better on either Verbal Reasoning or Numerical Reasoning.
Verbal Reasoning
This test assesses the ability to think and reason using words and language. Vocabulary, word relationships, coding, classification and deduction are assessed.
Numerical Reasoning
This test assesses the ability to think and reason using numbers. Series, matrices, arithmetical reasoning and deduction are assessed.

第二類是 ACHIEVEMENT TESTS，下有Reading Comprehension，Mathematics，Analytical Expression 和 Creative Expression 四個科目，其中前兩個科目是選擇題，後兩個科目是作文。

官方的說明是：
The Achievement tests are designed to measure actual achievement in some key academic areas. Achievement or performance scores are influenced by a student’s ability, as well as the application and practice of knowledge that has been learned at school and through reinforcement at home.
Reading Comprehension
This test assesses the capacity to read and interpret meaning from written passages, as well as correct, complete and punctuate sentences.
Mathematics
This test assesses year-level appropriate mathematical knowledge. Numbers, measurement, space and data are assessed.
Analytical Expression
This test assesses the ability to convey ideas clearly in written form. Punctuation, construction, grammar, spelling and relevance to the task are assessed.
Creative Expression
This test assesses the ability to convey ideas clearly in written form. Punctuation, construction, grammar, spelling and relevance to the task are assessed.

最終的計分是按科目，把絕對分數轉換成相對分數，分成六級：
Superior (11% of population)
Above Average (12% of population)
High Average (17% of population)
Average (20% of population)
Low Average (17% of population)
Below Average (23% of population)

根據 Hendersons Educational Services (http://www.hendersons.com.au/) 的經驗，六個科目中如果有三個 Superior，兩個 Above Average，一個不低於 Average 的成績，上 Melbourne High 或 Mac Robertson Girls 是不會有問題的。

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