John Monash Science School: how does entry work?
Independent. Not affiliated with John Monash Science School, the Victorian Department of Education or Edutest.
Is John Monash Science School a selective school?
Yes, but it isn't one of Victoria's four selective entry high schools. JMSS is Victoria's first Designated Purpose Setting, for high-ability students in science, mathematics and technology2JMSS · 13 October 2026 · Published. Its entry processes differ from those of the selective entry high schools2JMSS · 13 October 2026 · Published.
It is a co-educational school for Years 10, 11 and 121JMSS · 13 October 2026 · Published. The school sits on a university campus but apart from it: JMSS is a separate school on the grounds of Monash University's Clayton campus1JMSS · 13 October 2026 · Published.
How is JMSS different from the selective entry high schools?
Your child can try both, at different ages. The selective entry exam is sat in Year 8, and JMSS applicants are in Years 9 and 10. 1JMSS · 13 October 2026 · Published
| JMSS | Selective entry high schools | |
|---|---|---|
| Main entry year | Year 10, and a few at Year 11 | Year 9 3Vic Education · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| The test | its own tests, unique to JMSS and changed each year1JMSS · 12 October 2026 · Published | One exam for all the selective entry schools |
| Run by | Edutest, for the school 2JMSS · 12 October 2026 · Published | ACER, for the Department3Vic Education · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| After the test | written tests, then a group activity and interview for those shortlisted1JMSS · 12 October 2026 · Published | Offers mostly on exam rank 3Vic Education · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Fee last round | A$1804JMSS · 14 October 2026 · Published | free with a health care or pensioner card, and for First Nations families3Vic Education · 12 October 2026 · Published |
How does JMSS choose its students?
In two stages: written tests, then a group activity and interview for those shortlisted1JMSS · 12 October 2026 · Published.
Sit the written tests
The tests are administered by Edutest2JMSS · 12 October 2026 · Published, on one set day.
Group activity and interview
Shortlisted students do a group activity, then an interview. They bring full school reports from the past 18 months1JMSS · 13 October 2026 · Published.
The outcome
Last round, every applicant heard by 18 September 20264JMSS · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Your child's school record doesn't count at the testing stage1JMSS · 13 October 2026 · Published. Extracurricular activities are not assessed in the test1JMSS · 13 October 2026 · Published, though the interview asks about your child's interests.
How many places are there, and who can apply?
JMSS takes about 2001JMSS · 12 October 2026 · Published students into Year 10 and about 301JMSS · 13 October 2026 · Published into Year 11 each year.
Year 10 places a year, about
Year 11 places a year, about
of places, at most, kept for equity consideration
The Year 10 enrolment policy sets these rules:
| Rule | What the policy says |
|---|---|
| Age | Students must be completing Year 9, and turn 15 and be no older than 17 during their first year at JMSS4JMSS · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| Accelerated students | They may be admitted if they turn 14 by 30 April of their first year4JMSS · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| How often | The Year 10 exam can be sat once only, and for one year level each year4JMSS · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| Students from the same school | Capped by a Department quota for each school, based on that school's Year 9 enrolment4JMSS · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| Where you live | no zone: students come from all areas of Melbourne and regional Victoria1JMSS · 13 October 2026 · Published |
What is in the JMSS entrance test?
The written tests cover academic potential, literacy, scientific aptitude, mathematics, numeracy and scientific writing. 1JMSS · 12 October 2026 · Published They are aligned with the Victorian curriculum level your child is studying now1JMSS · 13 October 2026 · Published.
There are no past papers, because the tests are unique to JMSS and change each year. The school gives no more information about the tests before they are sat2JMSS · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Edutest sells general practice sets. JMSS suggests at least one Edutest practice exam2JMSS · 12 October 2026 · Published to get used to the testing conditions, and notes those sets leave out writing and science.
Can my child get adjustments for the test?
Yes, on request. JMSS says neurodiverse students use the same entry process as everyone else, with reasonable adjustments, on request1JMSS · 13 October 2026 · Published. Ask the school well before test day.
What did the last round look like?
For entry in 2027, the round ran like this:
| Step | Date or detail |
|---|---|
| On-time applications closed | 22 May 20264JMSS · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Late applications closed | 25 May 20264JMSS · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| Year 11 test | 23 May 20262JMSS · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Year 10 test | 13 June 20262JMSS · 12 October 2026 · Published, at Monash University, Clayton4JMSS · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| Interviews | mid Term 34JMSS · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| First-round offers | late September1JMSS · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Offers finalised | 31 October 20264JMSS · 13 October 2026 · Published |
When are the dates for 2028 entry?
Not yet. JMSS dates for 2028 entry are not published2JMSS · 12 October 2026 · Not published. What is known is the yearly pattern.
in May each year2JMSS · 13 October 2026 · Published
School tours
in May, for entry the following year1JMSS · 13 October 2026 · Published
Applications close
For a child in Year 8 in 2026 (Year 10 entry), or in Year 9 in 2026 (Year 11 entry).
mid Term 34JMSS · 12 October 2026 · Published
Interviews for shortlisted students, going by last round
late September1JMSS · 12 October 2026 · Published
First-round offers, going by last round
The calendar feed adds the dates for 2028 entry once JMSS publishes them, with reminders.
How do students get to JMSS?
JMSS is at 39 Innovation Walk, Monash University, Clayton VIC 38005JMSS · 12 October 2026 · Published. Most students use public transport, with the Monash University bus loop linking to Huntingdale Station1JMSS · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Students come from all across Melbourne, some over 1.5 hours each way1JMSS · 13 October 2026 · Published. The school has no boarding or accommodation of any kind2JMSS · 13 October 2026 · Published.
JMSS asks families to think about daily travel time, transport options, who can pick up in an emergency, and how travel may affect study in VCE1JMSS · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Weigh the trip before you apply. The policy says turning down an offer because of travel is unfair on other applicants4JMSS · 13 October 2026 · Published. Plan your commute opens the address in your own map app.
What is a week at JMSS like?
Busy and science-heavy, with time set aside for other interests. These details come from the school's own answers to parents.
On campus, but apart
Students stay within the school grounds all day, apart from supervised university lectures and workshops1JMSS · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Co-curricular time
The Co-Curricular Program runs on Wednesday afternoons, for interests beyond the standard curriculum1JMSS · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Not only science
English still matters: JMSS offers English, Literature, English Language and EAL1JMSS · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Two devices
Each student brings 21JMSS · 13 October 2026 · Published digital devices to school.
Support
There's a dedicated Wellbeing team for academic pressure, stress and personal challenges1JMSS · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Holidays
Family holiday travel is not a school-approved absence1JMSS · 13 October 2026 · Published, so plan trips for the school holidays.
How should my child prepare?
JMSS doesn't support or endorse any tutoring companies, saying they aren't essential2JMSS · 13 October 2026 · Published. Its own suggestion is one Edutest practice set. 2JMSS · 12 October 2026 · Published
Talk about the workload too. Students who come to JMSS often find the workload higher than before1JMSS · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Our practice is for the NSW Selective test, not this test, so this page offers dates only.
Is JMSS a good fit for your child?
It is built for children keen on science and maths. Tick what's true; nothing is saved or sent.
Your child is keen on science, maths and technology. 2JMSS · 13 October 2026 · Published
The trip to Clayton works, both ways, every day.
A co-educational school suits your child. JMSS has an almost 50:50 balance of girls and boys1JMSS · 13 October 2026 · Published.
You've been on a tour. They run in May each year2JMSS · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Is there a cut-off score for JMSS?
No. JMSS publishes no cut-off and gives no detail about the tests. Results from both stages are weighed together. 1JMSS · 12 October 2026 · Published
We don't rank schools. ATARs describe past Year 12 students, not how Year 10 places are offered.
Questions parents ask about JMSS
Is JMSS a public school?
Yes. It is a Victorian government school with free instruction in the standard curriculum, and all contributions are voluntary1JMSS · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Can my child sit both the selective entry exam and the JMSS test?
Yes, in different years. The selective entry exam comes in Year 8, and JMSS applications in Year 9 for Year 10 entry. 1JMSS · 13 October 2026 · Published
When do JMSS results come out?
Last round, every applicant heard by 18 September 20264JMSS · 13 October 2026 · Published, and offers were finalised by 31 October 20264JMSS · 13 October 2026 · Published.