VIC · John Monash · Year 10 entry

John Monash Science School: Year 10 entry, the tests, and how to prepare

John Monash Science School (JMSS) is a Victorian government specialist science and mathematics school on Monash University's Clayton campus, for Years 10, 11 and 12 only. Year 10 is its main intake: the school takes approximately 200 students into Year 10 each year, and about 30 into Year 11. Students apply while completing Year 9 and must turn 15, and be no older than 17, during their first year at the school. JMSS is not one of Victoria's four selective entry high schools; it has its own process, its own test and its own dates.

Selection has two stages. First come written tests under exam conditions, run by EduTest but unique to JMSS. The school's FAQ lists what they assess — academic potential, literacy, scientific aptitude, mathematics, numeracy and scientific writing — but it publishes no question counts, timings or format, and says the tests change each year. Tutoring providers report five papers of about 30 minutes each: three multiple-choice (Mathematics, Numerical Reasoning, Science Reasoning) and two written science papers (Science Analysis & Reporting; Science Interest & Communication). That is as tutoring providers report it, not confirmed by the school. Shortlisted applicants then do group activities and an individual interview, bringing full school reports for the previous 18 months.

What sets JMSS apart is the weight on science and on writing about it. The school's policy says the assessment gauges aptitude for science, capacity for logical and numerical reasoning, and mathematical ability. The Principal's statement stresses scientific reasoning and says the school does not want rote-learned responses. There are no past papers, the school does not endorse tutoring companies, and EduTest says it offers no science-specific practice tests. Up to 5% of places are reserved for equity consideration, and places are capped per current school, so applicants from the same school also compete with each other.

Preparation that suits this test builds skills rather than rehearsing a format the school says it will change: naming the variables in an experiment, judging whether a conclusion follows from the data, spotting a weak method, reading tables and graphs, and writing a short, clear scientific explanation from evidence. Keep Year 9 mathematics fluent, practise number reasoning against the clock, and sit a few timed sessions so the testing environment feels familiar.

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Try some sample questions

Original exam-style examples with worked explanations. Pick an option, then reveal the answer.

Sample question 1

A student tests whether water temperature affects how quickly sugar dissolves. She puts 200 mL of water at 20 °C, 40 °C and 60 °C into three beakers, adds one 5 g sugar cube to each, stirs each at the same rate, and times how long each cube takes to dissolve.

What is the dependent variable in this experiment?

Sample question 2

A car uses 7.5 litres of fuel per 100 km. Fuel costs $2.00 per litre. What is the fuel cost of a 360 km trip?

Sample question 3

Ten bean seedlings were grown under red light and ten under blue light, with all other conditions kept the same. After three weeks the average height was 14 cm under red light and 9 cm under blue light.

Which conclusion is best supported by these results?

Frequently asked questions

When do students apply, and for which year?

In Year 9, for Year 10 entry the following year. In the 2027-entry round applications closed on 22 May 2026 and the written test was on Saturday 13 June 2026 at Monash University, Clayton. The 2028-entry dates had not been published when we last checked in October 2026, so confirm them on the school's admissions page.

Does John Monash publish its test format or past papers?

No. The school says it will not disclose further information about the test and changes its assessments each year, and no past papers are released. The five-paper structure described above is what tutoring providers report; the school has not confirmed it.

Is this the same test as the Victorian selective entry high schools?

No. The four selective entry high schools take students at Year 9 through one ACER-run exam sat in Year 8. John Monash takes students at Year 10 through its own written tests and interview process, with its own application and dates.

Is a calculator allowed?

The school does not publish a calculator rule. Check the information the school and EduTest send to applicants before the test.

Can practice guarantee a place at John Monash?

No. The school describes selection as highly competitive, places are limited and capped per school, and the decision also rests on group activities, an interview and school reports. Practice builds the reasoning and writing skills the school says it looks for; it cannot promise an offer.

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