guys i understand why you guys keep asking "is my application ok" and what can i do to prepare, trust i have been there before. but 90% of ppl don't make it in bc they spend too much time obsessing on what exactly they need to do to prepare an like tips and tricks as opposed to actual practise.
dont get me wrong bc you should inquire abt things but make sure you start prepping immediately first and then after you do the exam you can worry abt if you will make it or not. atp the best thing you can do is maximise your score on those exams and also in school.
extracurriculars are not as important as everyone thinks bc especially for top selective schools, the most important thing they look for is the academic achievement. unless you are like almost professional or like recognised state-wide for your achievements, the extracurriculars don't mean anything to the school bc t the end of the day you apply to a selective school for the academics and the high rank and the whole reason why they have that rank is bc the kids there are smart.
as for how many spots there are, the best way to check is to check the website thoroughly. if there is no info publically avialable, as a general rule: in for y8, 9 they are usually just replacing ppl that left so not more than 10 ppl tbh. in y10/11 some schools make a new class so thats around 24 spots or so but otherwsie they are also just replacing ppl that left.
most tests are mutliple choice, main ones are HAST and edutest. check the schools' website for more details.
reports need to be good - mostly As and if not Bs, above average ranks etc. but they usually tend to care abt the most recent report the most and the other one is just there to check. in the case that your report is JUST SLIGHTLY bad but your entrance exam score is very good, there are chances you may still get an interview bc some schools mark very harsh for some subjects (esp if you are transferring from high ranking private).
here is all you need to do:
- have 1 or 2 extracurrciulars that you spend a lot of effort for. no need to join 20 clubs but do very little for all of them, just having 1 or 2 things that you have dedicated a lot of time towards examples: you play the piano and have abrsm stuff, you participate in athletics and went to zone, you have a part-time job, you have a leadership role in school or elsewhere (often this doesnt have to be like anything too fancy, as long as you demonstate some sort of leadership e.g. club leader)
- go to the schools wesbite and check the 8-11 admissions page. they tell you what exam and roughly when in the year the exam happens. then go online and find online test banks for that exam. i wrote hast and edutest a long time ago and i used this website called notesedu. i found that the hast questions were pretty identical to notesedu, but the only thing is hast was on paper. its fine to use an online thing to prep for a paper test bc the point is tht you get the questions right.
- log off BOS unless you need genuine advice that hasn't already been asked by someone. there is no shortcut or trick to getting in and sometimes even the smart kids dont get in.
SUMMARY: maximise your grades at school (mostly As, if not Bs), GRIND online practise material, have 1 or 2 strong extracurricualrs that are impressive, worry abt getting in and interviews when you actually get an interview and as for now grind the exams.
