6000 students. 1000 places. Competition for our best schools has never been tougher

Benjamin Price· Host0:00

[gentle music] This weekend, thousands of teenagers will sit the entry exam for one of four select entry government schools for high-achieving students in Victoria. It's a nerve-wracking experience, and the stakes are high. Many students will miss out on a place. In New South Wales, competition is also fierce for a spot at select entry schools. Students in both states spend countless hours preparing for the exams. I'm Benjamin Price, filling in for Samantha Selinger-Morris, and this is the Morning Edition. So attention, please, and eyes up front. Today, Age education reporter Jackson Graham and Sydney Morning Herald education editor Christopher Harris explain how select entry education became such a big deal and such big business. It's Wednesday, June 17. Jackson, Christopher, it's really great to have you on the podcast today. Jackson, why don't you take us through what's gonna be happening this Saturday?

Jackson Graham· Guest1:09

All right, well, several thousand students will sit the select entry exam, uh, in venues like our race courses and the exhibition buildings in Melbourne. A select entry exam is basically a three-hour-long exam for students in Melbourne at a year eight level to try to get into year nine, uh, at a school that will only let