Various schools offer accelerated learning programs for gifted and able students in order to accelerate them through high school and reduce schooling from six years to five. These are known as SEAL (Select Entry Accelerated Learning) programmes which ensure that opportunities for academic excellence are provided for gifted and talented students from years 7-10.
It is important to note that preparation for such exams MUST begin in the early stages of year 5-6 in order to build a strong portfolio of academic achievement and prepare students for the competitive exam structure and interview process.
Such testing is highly competitive and only offered in some schools and to the highest achievers despite the large volume of applicants.
Although it is not possible for all students to be accepted into the SEAL program, some schools also offer a High Achiever Program for a select few students allowing extended learning within the classroom without acceleration. This can be highly beneficial for students wishing to re-take the SEAL examination in later years and work at a higher achieving level than their peers. Entry into these programs can give a family outside the school zone an opportunity to enter the school also.
Depending on the school your child attends, each exam format will vary mainly contingent on the company employed by that school to write the exam paper. The main companies are ACER and Edutest. It is crucial to know which company your school has commissioned in order to best prepare your child for that particular format. Most schools will generally have this information on their website and the main differences are outlined in the table below.
ACER (HAST) |
Edutest |
- Creative Writing or Opinion Writing
- Reading Comprehension
- Mathematics
- Abstract Reasoning
|
- Creative Writing
- Mathematics
- Reading Comprehension
- Verbal Reasoning
|