EQDemic School (often written as Eqdemic) and its specialized programs for Selective School entry

With the 2026 Selective High School Placement Tests approaching, understanding the methodology and curriculum of coaching centers like EQDemic is crucial for parents and students aiming for top-tier academic placement in Australia, particularly in Victoria and New South Wales.

1. Introduction to EQDemic School

EQDemic School is a premium academic coaching institution that differentiates itself through a dual-focus philosophy: Academic Excellence combined with Emotional Intelligence (EQ). While many tutoring centers focus solely on rote learning and repetitive drilling, EQDemic’s mission is to "arm students with the knowledge and qualities to succeed both academically and personally."

The name itself—a blend of "EQ" and "Academic"—signals this holistic approach. They operate primarily out of Box Hill, Victoria, but their curriculum is designed to align with the rigorous standards of both the Victorian and NSW selective school systems.

2. The Core Philosophy: "EQ + Academic"

The "Selective School" keyword often conjures images of high-stress environments and competitive testing. EQDemic attempts to mitigate this through its unique pedagogical structure:

A. Academic Pillar

The school focuses on distilling the complex curriculum into five individual focus areas essential for the Selective School Placement Test:

1. Reading Comprehension: Moving beyond literal meaning to inferential and evaluative understanding.

2. English Grammar: Mastery of structural language rules to improve both writing and multiple-choice performance.

3. Writing: Developing a personal "voice" and the ability to adapt to different prompts (creative, persuasive, or informative).

4. Fundamental Mathematics: Ensuring a rock-solid foundation in Year 6 and 7 concepts.

5. Logical Reasoning: A critical component of modern selective tests, covering Verbal, Numerical, and Abstract reasoning.

B. Emotional Intelligence Pillar

EQDemic integrates EQ-based qualities into their teaching, such as:

• Resilience: Helping students handle the pressure of timed exams.

• Confidence: Building a student's belief in their problem-solving abilities.

• Communication: Facilitating "parent sharing sessions" to ensure the family unit is supported throughout the high-stakes testing period.

3. Selective School Program Structure

EQDemic’s Selective School Intensive Program is specifically designed for students in Year 5 and 6 (for Year 7 entry) or Year 8 (for Year 9 entry in Victoria).

Curriculum Breakdown

The curriculum is "refined and distilled" to meet the increasingly steep demands of the competitive entry tests.

Section	Focus Area	Key Skills Developed
English	Literacy & Analysis	Critical reading of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry.
Mathematics	Problem Solving	Application of concepts to unfamiliar, high-difficulty problems.
Thinking Skills	Logic & Reasoning	Identification of patterns, syllogisms, and data interpretation.
Writing	Composition	Advanced vocabulary, structural cohesion, and creative flair.

Weekly Mock Exams

One of the hallmarks of the EQDemic program is the Weekly Mock Exam.

• Simulation: Students sit tests under strict exam conditions to build "exam stamina."

• Feedback: Post-exam analysis helps students understand why an answer was wrong, rather than just what the right answer was.

• Targeted Tutoring: One-on-one tutoring sessions are often available after class with dedicated teaching assistants to address specific gaps identified during the mock exams.

4. The 2026 Selective School Context

The landscape of Selective School entry is changing. In 2025 and 2026, there has been a significant shift toward computer-based testing and a greater emphasis on Thinking Skills over traditional General Ability.

NSW vs. Victoria

• NSW (Year 7 Entry): The test is now fully computer-based. It requires typing proficiency (aiming for 30-35 WPM) and a deep understanding of "Thinking Skills," which replaced the old General Ability section.

• Victoria (Year 9 Entry): Schools like Melbourne High and Mac.Robertson Girls' High require mastery of the Year 8 curriculum, with tests focusing on higher-order thinking and problem-solving.

  
  

EQDemic caters to these changes by updating their materials to reflect the computerized format and the more abstract nature of the "Thinking Skills" section.

5. Specialized "Holiday Preparatory" Classes

For students needing an "extra push," EQDemic offers Holiday Intensive Programs. These are designed to:

• Discover Passion for Writing: Many students struggle with the open-ended nature of the writing task. These classes use "inspiration-based" techniques to improve vocabulary and logical flow.

• Accelerated Learning: Covering a term's worth of logic or math concepts in a single week.

• Accuracy Refinement: Focusing on the "last 10%" of marks—the difference between a "Reserve List" spot and a "Confirmed Offer."

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6. Success Metrics and Results

While specific "cut-off" marks for selective schools vary each year, coaching at centers like EQDemic aims to push students into the Top 10% band of candidates.

Understanding Percentile Bands

In the official performance reports, students are ranked in four bands:

1. Top 10%: High chance of offer from top schools (e.g., James Ruse, Melbourne High).

2. Next 15%: Likely to receive offers from partially selective or local selective schools.

3. Next 25%: Potential for reserve list placement.

4. Lowest 50%: Unlikely to receive an offer.

   
   

EQDemic’s "Distilled Curriculum" is specifically engineered to move students from the "Next 15%" into the "Top 10%" through strategic error reduction and time management.

7. The Role of the Teacher

A key factor mentioned in EQDemic’s profiles is the quality of the tutors. Many are VCE high-achievers or education students from universities like Monash, who bring a mix of current academic knowledge and pedagogical empathy.

"We aim to educate healthy, happy, confident, and disciplined individuals who have a drive for continuous personal growth." — EQDemic Philosophy Statement

8. Practical Information for Parents

If you are considering enrolling your child in the EQDemic Selective School program, here are the logistical details to note:

• Location: Primarily based in Box Hill, VIC.

• Terms: They align with the Victoria day school terms.

• Enrolment: Often involves an initial "Assessment Test" to benchmark the student's current level.

• Tools: Access to a "Selective Course Login" for online practice and resources.

9. Conclusion: Is it Right for Your Child?

The Selective School journey is a marathon, not a sprint. EQDemic School’s approach is best suited for parents who want a balanced environment—where the academic pressure is high enough to produce results, but the emotional wellbeing of the student is not sacrificed.

By focusing on Thinking Skills and Logical Reasoning, EQDemic prepares students not just for an exam, but for the higher-order thinking required in university and beyond.