12-Month Selective Entry Exam Preparation Checklist

Your month-by-month guide to success — Victoria & NSW, 2026 Exam

This checklist breaks down selective entry preparation into manageable monthly tasks. Follow this timeline to develop reasoning skills, build practice volume, and master exam strategies — without overwhelming your child. Print this page and check off tasks as you complete them.

Month 1–2: Foundation & Baseline

12 months before exam

Assessment & Planning

Research exam format (visit ACER website, read format guides)Complete 1 diagnostic practice test (all sections, untimed)Record baseline scores for each sectionIdentify 2 weakest areas (these get the most study time)Set up a practice test log or spreadsheetCreate study schedule (5–7 hours per week maximum)

Skills Introduction

Read guide on weakest subject areaComplete 2 untimed practice tests (focus on understanding)Check typing speed (goal: 30+ WPM for writing section)Start typing practice if below 30 WPM

Build Routine

Establish consistent study days and timesComplete 1 practice test per week (alternate subjects)Review every mistake thoroughlyBegin building a vocabulary journalStart reading widely (novels, news, non-fiction)

Wellbeing Check

Sleep: 9+ hours every nightExercise: 3+ hours this weekMaintained at least 1 hobby or sportStudy time under 8 hours this week

Month 3–4: Skill Building

9 months before exam

Balanced Development

Complete 1–2 practice tests per weekSpend 60% of study time on weakest areasStart timing practice (1.5× actual time limit)Complete targeted practice (10–15 questions) dailyBegin writing practice (1 timed response every 2 weeks)Review mistakes from all tests

Subject Focus

Mathematics: master percentages, ratios, patterns, algebraVerbal Reasoning: practise word relationships and analogiesReading: practise skimming and inference questionsVocabulary: learn 5–10 new words daily from reading

Progress Check

Retake diagnostic test — compare to Month 1 scoresExpected improvement: 5–10% in weakest areasAdjust study plan if needed

Wellbeing Check

Sleep: 9+ hours every nightExercise: 3+ hours this weekMaintained at least 1 hobby or sportStudy time under 8 hours this week

Month 5–6: Intensify Practice

6 months before exam

Volume & Time Management

Complete 2 practice tests per weekPractice at 1.25× time limit (approaching realistic)Start “Writing Wednesday” (1 timed writing every week)Review all mistakes within 24 hours of each testTrack common error patterns in your log

Time Management Skills

Practise the skip-and-return methodCalculate time per question for each sectionSet interim time checkpoints during practicePractice with a visible countdown timer

Writing Component

Write 1 timed response every week (30 minutes strict)Practise diverse prompts: narrative, persuasive, creativeGet feedback on structure, vocabulary, and grammarTyping speed should be 30+ WPM by now

Wellbeing Check

Sleep: 9+ hours every nightExercise: 3+ hours this weekMaintained at least 1 hobby or sportStudy time under 8 hours this week

Month 7–8: Targeted Improvement

4 months before exam

Address Weaknesses

Analyse last 5 practice tests for error patternsIdentify specific question types causing errorsTargeted practice on weak question types (50–100 questions)Continue 2 full practice tests per weekAll practice now at actual time limits

Subject-Specific Drills

Mathematics: 20–30 questions on weakest topicsNumerical Reasoning: pattern recognition drillsVerbal Reasoning: vocabulary and logic practiceReading: timed passage practice (5–7 min per passage)Writing: continue weekly timed responses

Progress Check

Target: all sections at 85%+ by end of Month 8If not, intensify focus on lagging sections

Wellbeing Check

Sleep: 9+ hours every nightExercise: 3+ hours this weekMaintained at least 1 hobby or sportStudy time under 8 hours this week

Month 9–10: Exam Conditions

2 months before exam

Realistic Simulation

Complete 2–3 full-length tests per weekSimulate exact exam conditions (computer-based, timed, no breaks)Practise exam day routine (breakfast, timing, travel)Continue weekly writing practice

Computer-Based Test Familiarity

Practise on a platform similar to the ACER interfaceMaster navigation: skip, flag, and returnPractise with on-screen calculatorGet comfortable with the timer display

Strategy Refinement

Perfect the skip-and-return methodPractise intelligent guessing (never leave blanks)Identify personal time traps and avoid them

Progress Check

Target: all sections at 88%+ consistentlyScores should be stable (not fluctuating wildly)

Wellbeing Check

Sleep: 9+ hours every nightExercise: 3+ hours this weekMaintained at least 1 hobby or sportStudy time under 8 hours this week

Month 11: Final Preparation

1 month before exam

Fine-Tuning & Confidence

Complete 2 full practice tests per weekReview all previous mistakes from Months 1–10Focus on most common error types onlyNo new content — revision onlyRun 2–3 mock exam days (full test in one sitting)

Exam Day Planning

Research test centre locationPlan route and travel time (add 30-minute buffer)Check parking optionsReview ACER’s “what to bring” listGather required ID documents

Wellbeing Check

Sleep: 9+ hours every nightExercise: 3+ hours this weekMaintained at least 1 hobby or sportStudy time under 8 hours this week

Month 12: Final Month

Exam month

Weeks 4–3 Before Exam

Complete 1–2 full practice testsLight revision only — no intense studyReview common mistakes from past testsFocus on confidence and wellbeing

Week Before Exam

Complete final practice test under exam conditionsVisit test centre location (if possible)Download or print the ACER Exam Day GuidePrepare comfortable clothing (layers)Set aside required ID documentsLight revision only — no pressureEarly bedtimes every night

Night Before Exam

Lay out clothing and materialsPack bag: ID, permitted items, waterSet multiple alarmsBedtime by 8:30 PM (9–10 hours sleep)No cramming or last-minute study

Exam Morning

Healthy breakfast: protein + complex carbsLeave 30 minutes earlier than neededArrive at test centre 30 minutes earlyCalm, confident mindset — trust your preparation

Progress Tracker

Record your scores after each full practice test to track improvement over time.

Month	Maths %	Numerical %	Verbal %	Reading %	Notes
1 (Baseline)
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12 (Final)

Target by Month 10: all sections at 88%+ consistently.

Quick Reference

Study Time

✓Maximum 5–7 hours/week
✓More than 10 hours = counterproductive
✓2 full rest days per week

Sleep

✓9–10 hours every night
✓Never sacrifice sleep for study
✓Well-rested > more study hours

Practice Strategy

✓50% taking tests, 50% reviewing mistakes
✓Review every error, not just total score
✓Track progress with detailed log

Balanced Scores

✓Target 88–95% across ALL sections
✓Weak areas get the most study time
✓One perfect score cannot compensate

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Prepared by EduSpark — eduspark.com.au — Helping students succeed in selective entry exams