North Sydney Boys Entrance Exam

**russ3l** · 15 Dec 2011, 1:31 AM

Hey guys, I am thinking of moving to North Sydney Boys at the end of year 10 to 11.
i heard that the entrance exam was not an acer exam and that its hard! :O but people said I can study for it? Is this true?
In the mathematics part, people have been saying that it is basically every year 10 topic. (regardless if you havent learnt some) but at a high instensity.some people said they did not even finish the exam!
And for the English exam, I have to have a good grasp of all kinds of texts and comprehension.
Please give any tips/advice on going into this exam! Eg what topics are mostly focused on for the math section etc.
Or just personal experiences or friends experience of the exam!
Thankyou!!!

**MATHmaster** · 15 Dec 2011, 11:25 AM

Isn't the opportunity over already; that being you are in Year 10 now?

**zombies** · 15 Dec 2011, 11:59 AM

^ I think he's currently in yr9.

**russ3l** · 15 Dec 2011, 12:18 PM

Yeh I'm I just finished year 9, want to try our in year 10 (2012) for year 11 (2013)
Anyone got any advice????

**RivalryofTroll** · 16 Dec 2011, 2:25 AM

Originally Posted by mwong

Yeh I'm I just finished year 9, want to try our in year 10 (2012) for year 11 (2013)
Anyone got any advice????

For Syllabus Content Maths, I'd recommend that you get the Excel Advanced Mathematics Study Guide Years 9 - 10 because it covers both Year 9 and Year 10 content so 9.3 and 10.3! I think it will be sufficient!
For English, just know your text types, expand your vocab, read and analyse books/texts and do comprehension every now and then.
Remember to focus quite a bit on English because many students tend to do really well in the maths section but don't do so well in the English section.
Doing well in BOTH sections will differentiate you from the people who are only good at either maths or english....
Also, exam technique is very important so try your best to put yourself under exam conditions (time limit) when studying or doing exercises/work every now and then.
I cannot stress how important the English section is!
In the end, it's really all up to you as we can only give you limited advice and tips...
Just do whatever you think will best prepare you for these fully selective school examinations....
Please, look at my guide regularly to remind yourself about useful tips and hints......
Just treat these entrance exams as your regular school exams but of greater importance!

**Ilikefruit** · 17 Dec 2011, 10:26 PM

Make sure you also have a good report ( with extra curricular), as they consider that into the factor.
For the maths section, it is worth having a look at the end of topic sections, such as Circle geo or polynomials... But don't focus too much, it is important you have a solid grasp of every topic.
For English, focus on your essay skills - structure, language techniques etc. The test is basically 2 writing pieces ( or at least when I did it).
Timing wise, keep a steady pace and don't get caught up on any one question for too long. It's unlikely you will run out of time for English, but for Maths the tests has multiple choice section, short answer section, and a longer answer section ( which basically gives you 2 pages or so to do your working for 5 questions). The last section is fairly hard, but not impossible, just by that time you might feel rushed for time. But it's all really subjective, you might find maths easy, and English hard.
If you try your best and don't finish the tests, then remember they also count your report. So it is important you get a good report.
Going into year 11, they will also accept more students. Good luck~

**russ3l** · 18 Dec 2011, 8:53 PM

Originally Posted by Ilikefruit

Make sure you also have a good report ( with extra curricular), as they consider that into the factor.
For the maths section, it is worth having a look at the end of topic sections, such as Circle geo or polynomials... But don't focus too much, it is important you have a solid grasp of every topic.
For English, focus on your essay skills - structure, language techniques etc. The test is basically 2 writing pieces ( or at least when I did it).
Timing wise, keep a steady pace and don't get caught up on any one question for too long. It's unlikely you will run out of time for English, but for Maths the tests has multiple choice section, short answer section, and a longer answer section ( which basically gives you 2 pages or so to do your working for 5 questions). The last section is fairly hard, but not impossible, just by that time you might feel rushed for time. But it's all really subjective, you might find maths easy, and English hard.
If you try your best and don't finish the tests, then remember they also count your report. So it is important you get a good report.
Going into year 11, they will also accept more students. Good luck~

Hi Ilikefruit, So i am guessing you know the test from 1st hand experience? When you say 2 written pieces, does that mean that there is no comprehension? So the 1st written piece might ask you to write an essay and the 2nd might ask to write a narrative?
And how many As would you think would be considered as what you said as a "good report"?

thankyou in advanced!

**Ilikefruit** · 18 Dec 2011, 11:20 PM

Well, I can't say it's going to be same or similar all years, but there was comprehension, which involved answering an analytical essay question, then creative writing based of a quote. So not too sure, it's good to be ready for anything really.

I would say you shouldn't be getting anything under a B for your core subjects, remember there's a lot of comp. A good report would also consist of extra curricular stuff.

**Balls2u** · 25 Apr 2012, 6:18 PM

I did the test (year 9) last year, and I must say: the mathematics was hard. Hard because there were so many questions, too little time. I assume they will include 2 unit maths questions in the test this year. The english is "meh", but you seriously need to be "up there" in terms of your literacy and mathematical skills. I come from a school in the top 30s, and the NSBHS test compared to what we do in school is crazy.

**TerenceM** · 9 Jun 2012, 1:14 PM

Lol hey mwong, I've noticed you've been really wanting to move schools so some tips here. Plus the NSBHS test I think the test is pretty hard and getting a high mark in the tests is significantly low. Anyways good luck!