How to Get Into Melbourne High School (2026–27)

Parents searching how to get into Melbourne High School usually want a straight answer: what exam, when, who is eligible, and what actually moves the needle. Melbourne High is Victoria’s academically selective government school for boys in South Yarra. Year 9 places are awarded through the statewide ACER selective entry exam — not a local zone, interview, or school report.

This post is the focused Melbourne High pathway. For the full four-school Melbourne system (Mac.Rob, Nossal, Suzanne Cory), use the complete Melbourne selective schools guide. For a culture and results comparison with Mac.Robertson Girls’, see Melbourne High vs Mac.Robertson.

The short answer

1. Your son must be in Year 8 (or the equivalent age/year level) when he sits the exam for Year 9 entry the following year.
2. Apply online through the ACER Victorian Selective Entry High Schools portal during the annual window (typically March–April).
3. Sit the ACER exam in June (month-level timing for the 2027 entry cycle). Exact day is published on the ACER site each year.
4. List Melbourne High as a preference (boys can also preference Nossal and Suzanne Cory; Mac.Rob is girls-only).
5. Offers and outcome reports are released later in the year through the same portal — see how to check selective school results.

Eligibility and preferences

Melbourne High is boys-only. Your child must meet the Victorian Department of Education eligibility rules for selective entry (residency and year-level requirements are published on vic.gov.au). Equity categories and fee waivers exist for eligible families — check the ACER apply page for the current cycle.

You can list up to four schools in preference order. Offers go to the highest preference your son qualifies for. Location and commute matter: a long daily trip can erase academic gains, so weigh Melbourne High against Nossal (Berwick) or Suzanne Cory (Werribee) if travel is unrealistic.

What the exam covers

The VIC selective entry exam is the same for all four schools. ACER administers roughly four hours on the day (including breaks); exam tasks take about 2 hours 35 minutes:

• Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning — 60 minutes
• Reading and Verbal Reasoning — 55 minutes
• Writing — 40 minutes (two tasks)

Full structure: VIC selective entry exam format. Calculators are not part of standard practice for this exam — see calculator rules for selective tests.

How competitive is Melbourne High?

Competition is strong statewide. Thousands of Year 8 students apply for a limited number of Year 9 places across the four schools, and Melbourne High is among the most preferred. There is no published “pass mark” — ranking against the cohort drives offers. Treat tutoring centre cutoff claims as marketing, not official data.

A realistic prep timeline (for June exams)

Most families who land places start serious prep 6–12 months before the June sitting — typically early Year 8 or late Year 7. Cramming in the final 6–8 weeks rarely builds the reasoning depth ACER tests. For weekly hours and pacing, see how long to study for the selective entry exam and the 12-month VIC study plan.

Practice that matches the pathway

Official ACER sample questions show format, not volume. EduSpark's VIC library mirrors the multiple-choice skill areas with timed papers and explanations — 1 free paper per subject, then paid access if it helps. Writing still needs separate timed practice.

• VIC selective practice papers hub
• Browse VIC subjects
• Try free practice papers

Next steps

1. Confirm eligibility and open dates on the ACER / Victorian Department sites for your entry year.
2. Read the Melbourne selective schools guide so preferences are informed, not reputation-only.
3. Baseline with official samples, then timed mocks. Review every mistake the same day.

Melbourne High is an outstanding school for the right student. The pathway is clear: eligibility → ACER exam → preference order → offer. Focus prep on the exam you will actually sit.