Melbourne High School selective entry preparation
Learn about the eligibility criteria, exam inclusions and enrollment process to get your children into one of Melbourne’s best boys' schools.
Melbourne High School is one of the best of the best
With its towers looming high above the Yarra, it’s not hard to see why Melbourne High School is known as the ‘Castle on the Hill’. With a history dating back to the 1850s, this stalwart’s holistic approach to education turns out kind, courteous, socially responsible and ambitious young men.
Melbourne High School admits approximately 300 Year 9 students every year.
We give our students the best possible chance of earning admission by fortifying their academic prowess and developing their personal values, responsibility, and self-confidence. We’ll turn them into the future leaders that assessors will be looking for.
Eligibility criteria for Melbourne High School
Academic excellence is only one criterion. Prospective students must also abide by the following.
Citizenship and residency
Melbourne High School only admits Australian and New Zealand citizens. It also admits students with a visa or ImmiCard, which exempts them from having to pay international student fees.
Year level and extracurriculars
Most students are admitted in Year 9, with only a dozen or so in Years 10 and 11. The school values students who demonstrate community involvement, extracurricular initiative and leadership skills.
Entrance exam
Enrolment is primarily offered based on exam performance, though the school will occasionally consider school reports and outstanding achievements.
What’s included in Melbourne High School selective entry exams
The exam process differs slightly for students applying in Year 9 versus Years 10 and 11.
Year 9 entry exam
The Department of Education organises the Year 9 entry exam for Melbourne High School using the ACER test. This test usually takes place in June or July the year before students start school.
Year 9 entry exam components
The exam covers a broad range of skills and subjects, including math, written expression, reading comprehension and numerical reasoning.
Year 10/11 entry exam
Melbourne High School conducts this exam themselves using the Edutest exam. Approximately 30 Year 10 students sit this exam, and fewer still sit for it in Year 11.
Year 10/11 entry exam components
Applicants may also be required to sit for an interview with the principal and an assessment board. Select students will be admitted at the principal’s discretion.
Melbourne High School’s enrolment process and dates
The school’s enrolment process is designed to select students who demonstrate strong academic abilities and a breadth of co-curricular experience.
Submit your application
Year 9 students must apply to sit the ACER selective high school entry exam in Year 8. Applications are open from February to May.
Sit the exam
Melbourne High School’s selective entry exam will be held in June and in various locations around Victoria.
Attend the interview
If required to sit an interview, students will be asked to write a personal statement of intention and values and demonstrate their extracurricular initiative and achievements.
Receive your offer
Grading typically begins in July, with the first offers being sent to students in August. Offers may come as late as October.
We’ll help your boys get into Melbourne High School
Define your child’s pathway to a brighter future
FAQs
Our students’ testimonials
We’re proud to know that several of the young men we’ve taught have gone on to receive offers from their first-choice selective school — Melbourne High School. Listen to our students discuss the preparation process and its challenges in their own words.
Yash Mahajan
Over two years, Yash transformed his academic skills, leading to his acceptance into John Monash Science School. In this video he shares his story.
Ruth Goh
Ruth Goh shares her transformative experience with Integral, highlighting the impact Integral had on her confidence and efficiency in test-taking.
Tanish Lakavath
Tanish Lakavath shares his transformative experience with Integral's unique tutoring approach, which helped him achieve his goal of getting into a selective entry school.
Louise Chin Yu Tong
In this heartfelt video, Louise Chin Yu Tong shares her journey and success story with Integral Tuition, which played a pivotal role in her acceptance into Susan Cory.
Harjas Hora
In this inspiring video, Harjas shares his journey with Integral, detailing how it helped him achieve his dream of attending Melbourne High School.
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