SELECTIVE SCHOOL PREPARATION
Selective preparation that builds the skills behind a stronger attempt.
Give preparation a clear direction with structured practice in mathematical thinking, reasoning, comprehension and written expression. We help students approach unfamiliar problems, learn from errors and use their practice time purposefully.
Discuss your child’s selective preparation →
Start with a free 15-minute academic assessment · In person in the western suburbs · Individual online tutoring across Victoria
Develop an approach, not just an answer
Competitive questions can combine familiar ideas in unfamiliar ways. A student may know the underlying content but still be unsure where to begin. Preparation should develop the knowledge, flexible thinking and decision-making needed to work through that uncertainty.
We begin by discussing the intended school pathway, entry year, current year level and preparation so far. This helps us choose a suitable starting point and focus practice on relevant needs.
Strengthen essential knowledge. Revisit the number, algebra, language and comprehension skills needed before attempting more demanding work.
Develop flexible strategies. Look for patterns, draw useful diagrams, compare approaches and test possibilities.
Make practice more purposeful. Identify whether an error comes from a knowledge gap, misreading, reasoning or time management, then work on the cause.
A focused mix of knowledge and reasoning
Mathematical thinking
Non-routine number, fractions, percentages, ratio, algebra, geometry and data problems. Students practise connecting ideas and recognising which information is useful.
Reasoning strategies
Interpreting unfamiliar questions, spotting patterns, working systematically and checking possibilities. Students learn to choose an approach rather than rely only on a memorised example.
Reading and language
Understanding meaning, making supported inferences and reading carefully. Students practise distinguishing what a passage says from what they assume.
Written expression
Planning a response, organising ideas, selecting relevant detail and using clear language for the intended task. Feedback helps students identify a specific next step in their writing.
Know the starting point before increasing the challenge
Maths students complete a 45-minute year-level diagnostic test to identify foundational strengths and gaps. We use that information to help set learning priorities before increasing the challenge.
This learning diagnostic is separate from the free 15-minute academic assessment conversation. It is not a selective-entry examination or a prediction of admission.
Practice that leads somewhere
Clear teaching establishes the ideas, guided examples demonstrate useful strategies and independent questions test whether a student can apply them. Reviewing mistakes turns a practice session into a plan for what to strengthen next. Timed practice can then help students examine how they manage decisions and available time.
Regular preparation is important. The STS selective preparation programme requires at least two sessions per week, through individual or small-group tutoring, subject to availability. Individual online sessions are available for families across Victoria. We will discuss suitability, available times and fees before you decide.
Begin with the pathway and a realistic plan
Tell us the intended pathway. Share the target school, entry year, current year level and preparation completed so far.
Discuss the priorities. Use the free 15-minute academic assessment to discuss strengths, current challenges and suitable support.
Start regular, focused practice. Build the necessary knowledge and strategies, then use feedback to decide what to practise next.
Questions families ask
When should we enquire?
Enquire once you are considering a selective-entry pathway. The right starting point depends on the intended school, entry year, available preparation time and the student’s current skills.
Does a student need to master every topic before starting?
No. Understanding the starting point helps us identify the foundations to strengthen alongside more demanding reasoning. Tell us about schoolwork and any practice completed so far.
Is the programme the same for every school?
No. Tell us the intended school and entry pathway so we can discuss relevant preparation. Families should confirm the school’s current application and assessment requirements through its official admissions information.
Does preparation guarantee a place?
No. Admission depends on the school’s selection process and the student’s performance. Tutoring provides structured opportunities to develop knowledge, reasoning and preparation habits; it cannot guarantee an offer.
Plan the next stage of selective preparation
Share the student’s current year level, intended entry year and target school. We respond within one business day and will help you explore a suitable preparation pathway.