Selective School Tutoring that your child will love
(but not as much as you will!)
Save time
We do everything for you. Book your first lesson in 3 minutes and we’ll have the perfect tutor lined up for you within 48 hours.
Love your tutor (or it’s free)
Your first lesson has our 100% happiness guarantee; so if you aren’t convinced the tutor we select is the one for you it’s free.
Get complete flexibility
Lessons in your home when they suit you or online anytime – 7 days a week, 7am to 8pm. No contracts or minimum commitments.
Regular progress updates
We keep you in the loop at all times. We’ll send you feedback after each lesson and a detailed progress report every 10.
Access to the best tutors in the country
Our tutors are the kinds of tutors we would want working with our own kids. All screened, reference-checked and holding WWCCs.
Undivided one on one attention
Individualised learning that is tailored to your child. No boring software or workbooks – each lesson is customised for them.
Or request a callback from one of our education experts!
Since 2005 we’ve helped thousands of students get in to Selective Schools
(These are all legitimate verified reviews from Google and Facebook.)
Our Selective School Preparation program gives your child everything they need to succeed in the selective school exam.
A one-on-one preparation program that will give your child the best opportunity for their future.
The selective school test is really hard – which is why a comprehensive selective school program is absolutely crucial to succeed.
With a success rate of only 30%, even the most naturally gifted students need to take the time to prepare – and with many students starting to work with a tutor from as young as third grade this is only getting more and more competitive.
The Alchemy preparation program is designed to familiarise each student with the exam content, show them strategies to confront the most challenging questions and ultimately walk in to the exam with confidence that they know what they are about to face.
Because what we do is one-on-one, every program is unique. After the initial assessment, your tutor will know exactly what your child needs to focus on and build the program around these core skills – something you won’t find in a classroom environment.
We work with students of all ages – for those aiming to take the test in year 6 for year 7 entry and even those looking for later entry up to year 10. Lessons can take place at your home or online – and we work around your schedule to find a tutor that matches your busy week.
Experience the Alchemy difference for yourself by getting started with an accredited Alchemy Tutor today.
Thinking Skills
Perhaps the most challenging part of the selective school test is the thinking skills section. It combines components of reading, comprehension, maths and general ability to make a very difficult collection of questions for even the brightest of students. Our tutors will give your child the tools to succeed in the Thinking Skills section.
Mathematical Reasoning
6 years of primary school maths comes to a peak in the mathematical reasoning section of the selective school paper. It is challenging and fast; offering very little time for each question. With the help of an Alchemy Selective School Tutor your child will walk into the mathematical reasoning paper with confidence.
Reading
In the reading section of the exam, students are required to read a number of different text types and answer corresponding comprehension questions. This sounds simple – but it becomes challenging when they give a variety fo very similar answers and students need to choose the best match. Your tutor will give your child the skills to make the right decision in the test.
Testing Strategies
In addition to the specific content of the exam, your child’s tutor will help them get ready for the exam by teaching them various exam strategies that will give them an unrivaled advantage in the test. The test is a race against time, so being able to shave off any time makes a world of difference. Knowing how to arrive at an answer quickly will help them immensely.
Our program will give each student the the skills and knowledge they need to walk in to the selective school exam with confidence.
Our program is all about familiarisation – familiarising the student with the question types and format of the exam. By identifying trends of questions and knowing what to expect, your child will know how to respond to the questions and when they don’t, they will know how to choose the next best answer.
Please note that our selective school preparation program is designed for high performing students. If your child struggles at school, we would suggest you get in touch to organise an English or Maths tutor first. Foundational skills are not the focus of the selective school preparation program – it is all about the test and each lesson will centre on the test.
In the first session your tutor will assess your child’s current abilities and identify their strengths and weaknesses. From there, they will design the program around their unique needs ensuring adequate time is given to each core skill.
All components of the test will be covered; reading, writing, mathematics and general ability. Homework will be assigned (if appropriate) and progress will be tracked every 10 weeks.
We use all our own materials that we have developed over more than a decade of supporting students.
Or request a callback from one of our education experts!
All our Selective School Tutors go through our unique accreditation process
Our tutors are chosen not just for academic excellence but for being role models and mentors that have the ability to inspire the young people they work with.
Every tutor is hand selected, interviewed one-on-one and double reference checked before joining our team.
All tutors that work with selective school students have passed our selective school accreditation which ensures they understand the expectations and requirements of the exam. In many cases, they are former selective school students themselves so can offer additional first hand wisdom and support for the students they work with.
We channel more than a decade of experience into equipping our tutors to be the best in Australia, giving them all the support and resources they need to bring out the gold in every student they work with.
All Alchemy tutors hold Working with children checks that we manually verify ahead of their first session. Meet some of them here.
Lessons when and where they suit you
Lessons in your home
No need to fight after school traffic or battle to find a sparking spot.
We offer the best Selective School Tutoring right in your home at a time that works for you.
We offer one-on-one tutoring 7 days a week, before or after school and on weekends. Your tutor will come at the most convenient time for your child.
We make things as easy as possible for you by pairing you with an accredited local tutor that knows your area just as well as you do!
Lessons online
Your child can connect with their tutor online in our custom built online classroom.
Any device – no app download required. They’ll use video chat, a shared whiteboard and interactive features to make the experience as immersive as possible.
Online lessons can happen at any time, from anywhere. You’ll also get access to a far greater network of Alchemy tutors offering a broad range of experience and knowledge.
Or request a callback from one of our education experts!
Affordable one-on-one tutoring for Australian families
Online
Anywhere, AnytimeIn Your Home
In-Person Lessons✓ First lesson covered by our 100% happiness guarantee – if you aren’t happy after the first lesson it’s on us
✓ No contracts. prepayments or hidden fees – the price you see above is what you will pay
✓ The world’s easiest payment system – your payment information is stored securely and charged 24 hours after each lesson
✓ No charge for missed lessons – just give your online tutor at least 24 hours notice before a scheduled lesson
Why choose an Alchemy Selective School tutor for your child?
✓ Save time and money: No need to scroll through endless tutor profiles; we select the best tutor for your child based on their unique needs and organise everything for you
✓ Confidence: Expert tutors in selective school preparation that know the exam content
✓ Convenience: The ease of having a tutor come to your home when it works for you or online anytime
✓ Completely risk free: love the first lesson or it’s free, with no contracts, prepayments or minimums
✓ We communicate with you: monitor your child’s progress with weekly feedback emailed to you by your tutor and detailed progress reports every 10 lessons
✓ Budget friendly: easy weekly payments with no charge for missed lessons
✓ Above and beyond: We care about so much more than marks; your tutor has been chosen to be a role model and mentor for your child
✓ Proven history: over 15 years of experience and thousands of success stories
Or request a callback from one of our education experts!
Book today and get started with the perfect Selective School Tutor
Experience the Alchemy difference for yourself!
Check out how we supported students through Covid on SBS News
Or request a callback from one of our education experts!
Frequently Asked Questions:
When is the best time to start tutoring?
There is no better time than now! Tutoring isn’t just for those that are struggling – it also provides advanced students an opportunity to feel challenged and refine their skills. Having someone partner with you to bring out the best in your child is completely invaluable – and we recommend it at every age and level.
Does my child need a tutor?
Tutoring is for more than just those who struggle. In fact, you will usually find the students at the top of the class are there BECAUSE they have a tutor. Your tutor will become a partner in your child’s education journey, bridging the gap between home and the classroom. We believe every single student has something to gain from the support of an Alchemy tutor – and we know you will see this too.
Are there contracts or do I pay in advance?
No – there are no contracts and we are entirely pay as you go. We use an automated payment system that simply charges your debit or credit card 24 hours after each lesson occurs.
Will my tutor provide content and resources?
Yes – your tutor will have full access to our resource centre which contains thousands of worksheets, practice tests and text books. They will tailor every lesson around your child’s needs and design a unique program for them. To avoid waste we encourage our tutors to use digital worksheets so may bring a tablet or laptop – if you’d prefer to have them printed your tutor can send them to you ahead of a lesson for you to print at home.
How long does each lesson go for?
We leave this up to you to discuss with your tutor – but most of our students do between 1-2 hours per week. Our data shows that students see the most progress when they do a 1.5 hour lesson each week. There is no need to agree to a fixed session length – your tutor simply logs the length of session after each lesson occurs (with your prior agreement of course!).
Will my child have an assessment?
Yes. In the first lesson your tutor will deliver an assessment on your child, seeing where their strengths and weaknesses lie. After the session, your tutor will discuss their findings with you and send them through to you by email. From there, they will then develop a 10-week strategy to see your child reach their goals.
Why choose Alchemy over other options?
There are so many reasons, but the one thing we are most proud of is what makes us who we are. Alchemy is the medieval science of turning metals in to gold. It is the act of taking the ordinary and making it extraordinary – something our tutors do with our students every single day. The Alchemy difference is that we care about so much more than just marks. This resonates in everything we do – from the tutors we hire through to the lessons we plan. We want to see your child perform at their very best in all aspects of life – and not just in the classroom. It is this passion for so much more than just academic results that gives us the reputation we have – with thousands of verified 5-star reviews online.
How do you monitor progress?
We test students regularly to monitor improvements. The frequency of this will be up to your tutor, and you are welcome to discuss this with them in the first session to work out a testing cycle that is ideal for your child.
How often will lessons happen?
We recommend weekly sessions for every student. Consistency is so important in education, so irregular lessons may halt your child’s progress.
Is the first lesson a free trial lesson?
No – but it is covered by our first session 100% happiness guarantee. This means that if you are not 100% convinced the tutor we have lined up for you is the right tutor for your child, the session is on us and we can organise someone else that better suits your needs. If however you are happy to continue (and we are confident that you will be!) then we charge you for the first session when you submit payment details.
One-on-one selective school tutoring
At Alchemy we give you complete freedom. Unlike coaching colleges, there are no contracts, prepayments or penalties for missed lessons.
We simply charge your debit or credit card 24 hours after each lesson occurs. No paperwork, joining fees or payment processing fees.
Whilst most students do one hour per week, we can work around what you need. Left things a bit late and only have a few months until the exam? We can organise a tutor who can do 2 or 3 lessons a week up until the exam. Just getting started on the journey in 3rd of 4th grade? Weekly lessons should be plenty.
Whilst we give you flexibility, we strongly encourage regular weekly lessons. Consistency is so important and missing just a few weeks can really get in the way of progress. Holiday lessons are optional, but in most cases your tutor will happily continue through to ensure we keep moving forward week after week.
Our tutoring goes beyond helping students turn their grades around and get into the selective school of their choice.
We pour our 15 years of tutoring experience into helping students become the best versions of themselves. We have a dedicated team of selective school tutors who use customised learning plans to help students work on their weak areas and improve dramatically in a short span. The tutors help students improve their critical thinking skills, mathematical reasoning, and reading and familiarise themselves with the different testing strategies for selective school entry exams.
Besides working on the students’ academic performance, we also work on other aspects like confidence and self-esteem. Our tutors also act as role models helping the students become the best version of themselves. We also help students develop habits that will help them become successful even after school.
We’ve made it easier for families to find the best-suited selective school tutors using a few easy and fast steps:
Get in touch to tell us about the students’ needs, learning methods and personality. You can reach us by phone, email or live chat. You can also fill out a quick online booking form sharing the same information. At this point, we won’t ask you for any payment information or any payment information. Your first lesson is covered by our 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you don’t like the lesson or the tutor we’ve selected for you, we won’t charge you for the lesson.
Using the details you provide about the student, we will work with our team to find the perfect selective school tutor for you from our tutor profiles. We will send you the tutor’s profile by email and have them get in touch with you to introduce themselves. We will also set up the first lesson to get things running in the shortest time possible.
We go for tutors that connect with students instantly and create a personal bond that makes the tutoring experience better and more productive. After the first lesson, we will check in to see how things went. If you loved the lesson, you can proceed to add your payment information and select a schedule that is flexible and convenient for you. After this, you have nothing to worry about. We will charge your credit or debit card 24 hours after every lesson and only for the lessons you take. We don’t charge or penalise you for the lessons you miss.
When Should Parents Consider Selective School Tutoring for Their Children?
Selective school tutoring is something that every parent should consider. However, there are instances where getting tutored for selective school tests is more important than others. Some of these instances include:
When both parents work, they can’t pay attention to the child and their revision techniques. In such instances, you should consider selective school tutoring. Although selective school tests are not that difficult and have no negative marking, it still needs practice.
A tutor can motivate the student to keep practising and revising for the test for the best results. Even for parents working from home, selective school tutoring is still necessary because you might not be able to give the student all the attention they need with their revision.
What’s more, an experienced tutor provides the student with better-guided tutoring. The tutor keeps the child engaged with puzzles, logical reasons and writing tests that prepare them for the tests.
It’s easy to overlook selective school tutoring for inquisitive students who usually study independently. But, such students also need motivation, especially when they have to study after school hours which doubles the pressure because they still have to complete their homework.
Having a third person’s view can help boost the improvement of the student. Tutors have an eye for spotting areas where the student is struggling and will come up with ways to improve their general performance.
Tutors provide curious students and help them be more efficient in their studying and mental abilities. With the strong driving force of a tutor with proper tutoring, the selective school test shouldn’t be much of a challenge for the student.
Selective school tests are perfect for intellectual students. They can pass it easily because the format of the exams favours gifted students. However, the student might still need the help of a tutor in taking demo classes and tests, working on their weak areas, and a tutor can also help the student identifies areas they are overlooking in their study.
Now Offering Online Selective School Tutoring
Selective school placement is a highly competitive process in Australia. Students have to sit for the selective school placement exams, and their academic results are the main factor in determining where they will be placed. Whether your child is preparing to sit for selective school placement exams or has already been selected and placed and you want them to keep up with the competitive nature of their new environment, tutoring is the best way to go about it.
We offer online selective school tutoring for students in various grades to ensure they have the support they need to maximise their academic potential. Online tutoring is convenient and flexible, allowing students to access the tutor when and where they want. That way, they can continue with their lives while getting tutored.
Also, Offering Home Selective School Tutoring
Selective school students can also get home tutoring right from the comfort of their homes through our home selective school tutoring program. Under this program, students benefit from the physical presence of the tutor, one-on-one tutoring and increased accountability during the tutoring sessions.
We work with tutors who are locals in your area, which makes it easy for them to get to your location, even on short notice. The tutors can come to your home or office or suggest other excellent tutoring spots, making them a valuable asset for new families that don’t know their way around.
The Best Tutoring Company Near You
Whether you pick our home or online tutoring, you’re assured that you’re working with the best selective school tutor near me. We are an acclaimed tutoring company with over a decade of experience in tutoring students in various grades and varying capabilities. We’ve consistently delivered the best results in the students we work with through our tried and proven tutoring approach.
We are the best tutoring company largely because of the quality of the tutors we work with. All our tutors are hand-picked based on their academic credentials, tutoring experience and infectious personalities. The tutors complete our triple-check selection process and receive training and certification from Alchemy Tuition. We also provide tutors access to our vast resource centre to ensure they have everything they need to produce the best results for the students they work with.
Besides focusing on the students’ academic performance, we also help provide mentorship and guidance to the students by having them work with tutors with excellent role model qualities.
