A user said:
Hi i’m applying for fort street hurlstone and girraeeen next year. i’m currently in year 8 and i’m applying for it next year in year 9. if i make it that means i’ll gain entry into the school in the start of year10. i’m actually so confused, ive looked at so many threads about this but i’m still rlly confused. what does the HAST exam consist of for the year 9 exam?!!
The Middle Secondary test is the HAST you'll be sitting as a year 9 student to gain entry into year 10. In a previous thread, I have explained what the HAST consists of.
The HAST is comprised of the following components:
- Mathematical reasoning
- Reading comprehension
- Abstract reasoning
- Written expression
- Part One: Discursive task
- Part Two: Creative task
The mathematical reasoning component consists of multiple-choice questions. In this section, you should pay close attention to your answers, especially in the case of trick questions, and ensure that any options you did not select are wrong. This is an example of a question that can appear within the mathematical reasoning component:
Note that a question like this is assessed in the Upper Primary (years 4 and 5) test, meaning it would be reasonable to expect significantly more difficult questions in the Middle Secondary test.
The reading comprehension component also consists of multiple-choice questions. In order to perform well in this section, you should read both the questions and the options carefully as some may be more correct than others. Some of the answers may be using slightly different wording that the student may not be able to notice, such as "might" vs "must", and is used to make it more challenging for the student.
The abstract reasoning component also consists of multiple-choice questions. This section is considered more difficult to prepare for because it relies on logical reasoning, as opposed to what you may have learned. Patterns seem like a concept that is assessed within this component. This is an example of a question that can appear within the abstract reasoning component:
The written expression component includes 2 writing tasks. Whether you may be required to write a creative and/or a discursive might differ each year. This is an example of a creative writing question that you can expect:
Often in books or on radio or television, a person in a story says 'Safe at last!' when they reach home or find hiding places.
Write a story which uses 'Safe at last!' as an important saying.
This is an example of a discursive writing question that you can expect:
Is social media a distraction? Justify your answer.
I hope this helps!