While 2015 might seem a long way away, it’s already time for parents to consider whether they would like their child to apply for private school scholarships.
For many, the astronomic fees charged by some private schools places them well out of reach.
With some schools pushing their fees to over the $30,000 mark, it comes as no surprise that parents are now preparing their children for scholarship exams months before the actual test date, often with extra tuition from specialist coaching colleges.
Do past papers
The scholarship exam is not something students can study and cram for in a few days. The tests assess knowledge that has been learned over the candidate’s lifetime rather than a particular syllabus. So the best preparation students can do is to sit numerous past papers before the final exam to
familiarise themselves with the structure and types of questions that will be asked. ACER practice materials are available on its website for a fee, or there are speciality textbooks available dedicated to this subject.
Consider outside tuition
Often a controversial option, parents who send their children to tuition colleges or private tutoring believe that the extra help and materials available from these institutions will give them the extra edge when it comes to exam time. Tuition colleges usually offer an intensive course for scholarship and selective school test preparation, which involves english, maths and general ability coaching and mock exams to prepare students.
Think outside the box
Scholarship exams are aptitude tests, not traditional knowledge based exams where students can just expect to learn the curriculum and regurgitate what they have remembered on the exam paper. Allowing children to read widely and develop critical-thinking skills can benefit how they approach questions in the exam.
Brush up on interview skills
Many private school scholarship application processes now include an interview for the purposes of identifying ‘well-rounded’ students. For many children, this may be their first interview, so prepare wisely beforehand by brainstorming questions and practising interviewing techniques.
Research commonly asked interview questions and help your child prepare answers in case they are struck with last minute nerves; this way they have something to fall back on.
There’s always next time
Remember that if your child isn’t accepted into the scholarship program this time around, there are always opportunities to apply further down the track for later school years, depending on the school. There are also non-academic scholarships that your child may be eligible for: music, sport, performing arts, or means-tested. Remember that there is always intense competition for scholarship placements: set appropriate goals and avoid pressuring your child.
