Scholarship Selection Test
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SST Exam Tips
The SST tests are not meant to be easy. Don't worry if you have left questions out. Many others also find the tests difficult. No marks will be deducted for wrong answers.
Practise more than answering questions. Practise your planning strategies. Plan the way you organise your work and structure your answers, particularly in response to the Written Expression prompts.
Read the instructions on the front cover of each test carefully.
Do not rush or you may make careless mistakes. If you find one question in the multiple-choice area too difficult don't spend a long time on it. Every question is of equal value.
If you have four answers to choose from, and you are sure two of them are wrong but cannot make up your mind about the other two, mark the letter of the answer you think most likely to be correct. You may have time to come back and think about the question again.
These tests call for abilities which cannot be developed by practice in the mechanical aspects of English and routine mathematical processes. You must be able to think about what you have learnt and use it in a new situation. This ability is developed over a long period of time.
Read and re-read your Candidate Information Bulletin carefully. The bulletin is in PDF format. To enable you to access this document, you may need to download free Acrobat®Reader®Software. The bulletin sets out several things you need to do or bring on examination day.
Be at the examination centre at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the test (usually 8.45 am but please check). Late-comers will only be admitted at the discretion of the examination supervisor. Late-comers (if admitted) will NOT receive any additional time to complete the test.
Do NOT bring to the examination centre any of the following:
* rulers
* books or papers
* calculators
* other mathematical instruments such as compasses or dividers
* photographic or other data/image recording equipment
* programmable watches or mobile phones
Things to bring include:
* two (2) blue or black pens for the Written Expression section of the test
* two (2) HB or B pencils for the multiple-choice tests
* a good eraser in case you need to change an answer
* something to eat/drink during the break between tests (optional)
Your responses to the Mathematics and Humanities sections of the test will be recorded on a special answer sheet called an OMR sheet. A machine scans the answer sheets so you must be very careful to make sure that you mark your answer against the question you're answering. Frequent cross-checking during the exam will eliminate any problems.
Also:
* make sure you only use a pencil as the machine can't read pen marks
* clearly rub out any mistakes you make
* do not fold or tear the answer sheet
* do not make any stray marks on the sheet
On the day of the exam, candidates should try to relax, give themselves time to answer the questions fully, and clarify with the supervisors if they are unsure about any of the test day procedures.