Quick answer: Melbourne Grammar School offers Academic and Music scholarships for Year 7 and Year 9 entry only, through its own Annual Scholarship Examination, sat in person at the school. The exam is now held about 18 months before entry, so Year 7 applicants sit it in Year 5. For 2028 entry, the exam was on Saturday 29 August 2026 and registrations have closed. Expect the 2029 entry exam around late August 2027.
Melbourne Grammar School at a glance
| School type | Independent Anglican school; boys from Year 7 (co-educational junior campuses) |
| Location | Melbourne |
| Scholarship exam | The school's own Annual Scholarship Examination, in person |
| Academic and Music entry years | Year 7 and Year 9 only |
| Exam timing | About 18 months before entry (Year 5 for Year 7 entry) |
| 2028 entry exam | Saturday 29 August 2026 (completed) |
| Value | Partial tuition remission; amounts not published |
Melbourne Grammar also offers General Excellence Scholarships for Years 7 to 11, plus Boarding and First Nations scholarships, each with its own process.
How the exam works
Melbourne Grammar runs the exam itself. Applicants must sit it in person at the school, and remote sitting isn't allowed. The school doesn't publish the exam's sections or timing, and it doesn't release results.
Music applicants sit the academic exam first. Selected candidates are then invited to audition, with 15 minutes to warm up and 15 minutes to perform. At least one piece must have piano accompaniment.
Registrations can close early. For 2028 entry, applications were due to close on Thursday 20 August 2026, but the school warned they could close sooner if they reached capacity.
Key dates
| Step | 2028 entry | 2029 entry (expected) |
|---|---|---|
| Applications close | Thursday 20 August 2026, or earlier at capacity | August 2027 |
| Scholarship exam | Saturday 29 August 2026 | Late August 2027 |
| Shortlist phone calls | About three weeks after the exam | About three weeks after the exam |
| Other applicants notified | About one month after the exam | About one month after the exam |
Who it's aimed at
As a guide, the school looks for students working at the highest level of their cohort, typically "Exceeding" in NAPLAN and above or well above standard in school reports. Applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents when they register.
Scholarships give partial tuition remission. The amount depends on the applicant, family circumstances and available funding, and some families may be asked to complete a means test.
How to prepare
- Start in Year 4. With the exam in August of Year 5, preparation for Year 7 entry has to begin early.
- Register as soon as applications open. They can close early.
- Prepare broadly. The format isn't published, so build general skills: reading above year level, maths reasoning, written expression and logic puzzles.
- Practise sitting a long timed paper so a full morning of testing isn't a shock.
- Keep the last week light.
Practice for the scholarship exam
The exam is Melbourne Grammar's own, so no practice paper matches it exactly. Our ACER Level 1 and EduTest practice tests build the same core skills: reading, maths reasoning and timed, human-marked writing. Start with a free sample.
These are independent practice materials, not official papers, and they don't predict scholarship outcomes.
Frequently asked questions
What test does Melbourne Grammar School use for scholarships?
Its own Annual Scholarship Examination, sat in person at the school.
When is the Melbourne Grammar scholarship exam?
About 18 months before entry. The 2028 entry exam was on Saturday 29 August 2026. Expect the 2029 entry exam around late August 2027.
Which years can apply?
Academic and Music scholarships are for Year 7 and Year 9 entry only. General Excellence scholarships cover Years 7 to 11.
Does Melbourne Grammar release exam results?
No. Results remain the property of the school.
Other Victorian schools
Practice Tests & Exams is an independent provider and is not affiliated with Melbourne Grammar School. Details are from the school's published information as of 9 November 2026. Always check the school's website for current dates and conditions.
Sources
Explore more parent guides
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