Selective School Entrance Exam Victoria: Guide for 2026
The 2025 exam has finished. This short guide explains what ACER shares (and what they keep private), likely 2026 timelines, and practical ways to get ready.
Overview
Victoria’s Selective Entry Exam screens students for Melbourne’s selective schools. ACER designs the test to challenge reasoning, comprehension, maths and writing skills. Entry is competitive — thousands of Year 8 students apply for a limited number of places.
ACER: What they reveal — and what they keep private
ACER explains the skills the exam measures but deliberately does not disclose exact operational details. Specifically, ACER does not publish:
- Exact number of questions for each year
- Precise timing per section
- Full test papers or the exact question mix for an upcoming year
That said, historic patterns are useful for practice — but not guaranteed to repeat in 2026.
Key information for 2026
Based on past cycles and Department signals, parents should expect:
- Application window typically in early term 1.
- Exam likely in mid-year (June–July pattern in past years).
- Results and offers several months after the test.
Watch ACER and the Department of Education for official 2026 dates.
| Stage | Typical timing |
|---|---|
| Application open | Term 1 (expected) |
| Exam | Mid-year (June–July window) |
| Results / Offers | Late term 3 / early term 4 |
Exam components — common patterns
ACER keeps the exact format under wraps, but past exams commonly assess the following areas:
| Component | What it tests |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | Understanding passages, inference, main idea and detail retrieval |
| Verbal Reasoning | Word relations, analogies, logic with language |
| Quantitative Reasoning | Number patterns, puzzles, logical mathematics |
| Mathematics | Multi-step problem solving and numerical reasoning |
| Written Expression | One creative/reflective and one persuasive/analytical task (historically) |
Note: These are patterns from previous years; ACER does not confirm the 2026 mix, number of questions, or time allocation.
Application process (quick steps)
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Check ACER/Department pages for the 2026 application window |
| 2 | Fill the online form and choose preferred selective schools |
| 3 | Receive exam venue and instructions by email |
| 4 | Attend test day and wait for results |
How to prepare — practical steps
Preparation is best when focused on reasoning skills, reading broadly, practising timed questions, and gaining confidence under exam conditions.
High-quality practice tests simulate the real pressure, help identify weak areas, and teach time management. Try timed tests that include automatic marking and detailed reports to guide improvement.
Start with a few short practice papers and build up to full timed tests closer to the exam.
Frequently asked questions
Is the exam format public?
No — ACER does not publish the exact number of questions, timings, or the full format for upcoming tests.
Has 2025 finished?
Yes. Families should focus now on 2026 planning and early practice.
Will practice tests help?
Absolutely. They improve speed, accuracy, and confidence—even when the exact test layout isn’t public.
Effective learning through practice test
Prepare efficiently with our test packs that make studying easier.
- Fully online exams with immediate results.
- Prepared by professional teachers and industry experts.
- Know your strengths and weaknesses.