Passing your high school entrance exam

High school entrance exams usually consist of multiple-choice questions, but may also contain essay questions. Students are also asked to produce written work (a descriptive or narrative text). The questions are used to assess the knowledge of students who are completing elementary school.

Students are required to achieve a passing grade, which varies from school to school, but is usually between 60% and 70%.

High school entrance exams vary in length by program and by school. They are usually timed to see if you can keep up with the pace of the school you are hoping to attend. However, it’s better to take more time and answer the questions correctly than to rush and risk giving the wrong answers.

It’s impossible to prepare for this type of exam in just a few days, as the questions generally assess learning that takes place throughout elementary school. If you want to be prepared, we suggest that you start to review at least two months before the exam date.

Here are some tips to help you prepare:

• Read often and about all kinds of subjects.
• Don’t wait until you have questions about what you’re learning—get help right away.
• Check out our math study guide.
• Check out our French study guide.
• Improve your study habits.
• Buy an exam preparation workbook and complete the exercises in it.

There are several tips to help you manage your stress before and during the exam.
 
Before the exam:

• Prepare yourself.
• Get a good night’s sleep.
• Eat well.
• Exercise.
• Try to ignore external stressors (parents, friends, siblings, etc.).

During the exam:

• Take the time to breathe.
• Trust in yourself.
• Remember that panicking will not help.
• Stretch (since movement gets the blood and oxygen flowing).

After the exam:
Once your exam is completed and submitted, there is nothing more you can do. You’ll have to wait for the results. The decision now lies with your future school.

Here’s a list of the supplies you need to have with you for the exam. Be aware that these may vary from school to school, so make sure you bring everything you may need. You will not be allowed any reference materials during your exam (dictionaries, grammar books, calculators, workbooks, etc.).
 
The following items are generally permitted and required:

• A copy of your last report card
• A pencil
• An eraser
• A blue pen
• Correction tape
• A highlighter (preferably yellow)
• A geometry set

At the end of your exam, it’s important that you review your answers. You may have accidentally made some mistakes, whether it be through your choice of answers or in your written responses.
 
Here are some tools that can help you improve your self-correction skills:

• Revising tips (French only)
• Improving your writing skills (French only)
• Tips on editing your work (French only)

As mentioned above, schools receive a large number of applications and have a limited number of spaces for new students. Occasionally, some students are turned away.
 
If you don’t get accepted, it doesn’t mean you’re not a good student. It just means that you still have things to work on. You can ask the school to see your results, review them during your first year of high school, and try to retake the entrance exam the next year.
 
Good luck!