Hi everyone, recent 2024 John Monash graduate here, I’m revising the JMSS entry guide I made last year to account for some of the new changes they made to the application process (particularly in the group interview), this information should be super accurate as its coming directly from some students I tutored for entry this year.
Overview of the Entrance Process
The JMSS selection process consists of four key stages:
- Entrance Tests
- Application Submission (including reports and a CV)
- Group Activity
- Panel Interview
Here’s a breakdown of each stage so you are more familiar with what to expect.
1. Entrance Tests
Test Format Overview
- Science Reasoning (SR): 30 questions, 30 minutes
- Mathematics (Math): 60 questions, 30 minutes
- Numerical Reasoning (NR): 50 questions, 30 minutes
- Science Writing Tasks (2 essays): Each 30 minutes
Science Reasoning
This section tests your ability to apply basic scientific concepts to real-world problems.
What to Know:
- Physics: Forces, motion, light, and sound.
- Chemistry: Periodic table basics, reactions, and states of matter.
- Biology: Ecosystems, food chains, and adaptations.
Preparation Tips:
- Revise Year 8 and 9 science topics.
- Practice interpreting diagrams, graphs, and data tables
- This one is probably the hardest to revise for as it’s more about application than straight up memorisation.
- For this test in particular It might also be beneficial to do some practice tests.
- Scientific context is provided for a lot of the questions (e.g. answer the following questions using stimulus…)
Mathematics
This section involves a mix of quick calculations and problem-solving.
Focus Areas:
- Year 8/9 Algebra: Expanding, factorizing, solving equations (basic linear, quadratic equations and null factor law). If possible, memorise the quadratic formula.
- Trigonometry: Memorise your basic trig ratios/trig triangles if you can and your basic SOH, CAH, TOA and of course pythag.
- Geometry: Properties of shapes, parallel/perpendicular lines.
- Financial Math: Interest calculations and ratios.
- Statistics and Probability: Averages, probability trees, dice scenarios, colour wheels, cards and venn diagrams.
- Simultaneous Equations.
Preparation Tips:
- The test is tech free so try to improve on your quick arithmetic by hand, particularly fractions and percentages (mainly used in financial math questions) as these tend to be the most time consuming
- Time yourself to simulate the pressure of a 30-minute test.
- Prioritize accuracy; it’s better to skip and return than spend too long on one problem.
- Again, practice tests will be useful.
Numerical Reasoning
This section assesses your ability to identify patterns in numbers.
What to Expect:
- Sequences and relationships involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division.
- Number series with large or awkward values.
- Patterns involving numbers in a grid arranged in a certain way (“magic squares”).
- Preparation Tips:
- Familiarize yourself with numerical puzzles (Sudoku and logic puzzles help).
- Learn to spot relationships quickly, such as doubling, halving, or alternating sequences.
- Don't think or worry too hard about this one. Trust. It’s pretty much an IQ test.
Science Writing Tasks
You’ll complete two writing tasks:
Science Essay: Analyze a current issue using provided data and prompts.
- Example: Impacts of pollution on marine life.
- Structure: Introduction, three main points, conclusion.
- Practical Report: Write components like a discussion or aim based on experiment results.
- Example: Effect of temperature on plant growth.
- Include errors, scientific explanations, and applications.
Preparation Tips:
- Practice essays on science-related topics using the standard format (intro, body, conclusion). - like an English essay.
- Review how to write discussions for experiments, focusing on interpreting data and identifying errors (If you can try to classify errors into systematic and random but could be a bit overkill but if you want to impress your assessor go for it).
- For practical report, revise your scientific method: Intro, Aim, Hypothesis, Method, Discussion/Analysis and Conclusion.
2. Application Submission
- Submit your Year 8 Semester 2 and Year 9 Semester 1 reports (your grades for these aren’t super important as the school recognises that the difficulty for assessments vary from school to school, as long as you aren’t averaging like sub 70 you should be fine, I know people with fails on their reports who got in)
- Prepare a CV showcasing your achievements in academics, extracurriculars, and leadership (put everything down, even minor achievements don’t hurt, as well as any possible volunteering work)
Standout Tips:
- Highlight science-related experiences: open days, competitions, or projects.
- Include a range of activities to show you’re well-rounded (music, sports, leadership, etc.).
- If you have any extracurriculars, list them and try to stretch it out to make them sound good.
- Certificates might be op
- Try do some science competitions like the ICAS
- If you don't have that many achievements it's not the end of the world (especially for year 10 entry), as they understand that not every school gives students the same opportunities when it comes to extracurriculars.
3. Interview
The interview is the final stage and takes place with two interviewers (Panel Interview). The interview stage is often undermined by people applying for the school (I have two mates who got all superiors on the entrance tests but weren't given an offer).
Example Questions:
- “What’s a recent scientific discovery you find fascinating?”
- “If you were Prime Minister, what would you prioritize in science or technology?”
- “How do you balance school, extracurriculars, and personal life?”
- “Why JMSS over your current school?” (I know it’s cliche and typical but I got asked this one)
- “What do you think is the most impactful invention within the last century?” (have something in mind for this one as I was asked this and it put me on the spot lol)
- “Can you explain the most recent science topic you’re covering in school?”
- There might be some random or confusing questions so be prepared to answer these, for eg “Why do you think anti-vaxxers exist?”
4. Group Activity:
(yes this counts towards your acceptance into the school it’s not just filler 🙏)
- The group activity itself varies ALOT from year to year, but ultimately the activity itself doesn’t really matter, it’s mainly about how well you’re able to express yourself and collaborate with others
- Last year the group activity was about stacking cups so it's really impossible to predict the EXACT activity, but like I said the activity itself doesn’t matter
- Although you want to stand out during the group activity you don’t want to be that guy who makes it a shouting contest 🙏, you’re often times being assessed by JMSS alumni and they appreciate applicants who show the ability to allow others the opportunity to share their views as well as being able to build upon them rather than putting others down.
Preparation Tips:
- Reflect on your passions in science and how they align with JMSS’s focus. Make sure to be clear about said passions in the interview and how JMSS will help nurture it.
- Practice explaining your achievements confidently but humbly.
- Prepare insightful questions to ask interviewers about JMSS’s programs.
- If possible do mock interviews with friends and family or another organisation.
- At the end of the interview ALWAYS ask a question, try to do a little bit of research about the school to tailor it to something relevant. For example, I heard about how Monash offered Algorithmics as a year 12 subject (something only a couple schools in the state do), and made sure to express my interest in the subject at the end of the interview. Another example would be battle of the bands which I recommended one of my students interested in music to ask about at the end of their interview.
- Don’t be scared to take pauses and contemplate your answer, in fact it shows that you're truly considering the question rather than a pre memorised response.
- Take some water into the interview room to help calm your nerves
- REMEMBER the assessors are human too, they’ll understand if you’re a bit nervous with your responses, so just try to keep your responses grounded and true to yourself
Final Advice
- Stay Organized: Use a timeline to track test prep, application deadlines, and interview dates.
Practice under Time Pressure: Simulate the test environment to improve your speed and accuracy.
- Be Authentic: Whether in writing or interviews, show your true interests and personality. However, dress appropriately for the occasion, full school uniform, blazer, and a tie if you have one.
