Help! 10+ interview in City of London school for boys

[koss]

Hello, I am new to this site. My DS has shortlisted for the CLSB 10+ interview. Has anyone got any previous experience? Just want some help what type of preparation needed etc.

[Toomanyworriedsonhere]

My DS too. Yikes.
Also looking for advice.

[OhDearConfused]

Me too. Do either of you know how many are being interviewed?

[koss]

I am sorry. No idea.

[Shaded]

Asked the school today and was told that of the 200 boys that took the 10+ exams, 80 have been asked to interview. There are 45 places at 10+. What I forgot to ask was how many offers of places they would make as they may need to make slightly more offers as some may have other schools as their first choice.

[koss]

Thanks Shaded! I think they will have a waiting list as well.

[Toomanyworriedsonhere]

I think almost all people accept 10+ places.
At 11+ most boys hold more than one offer.

[OhDearConfused]

That's right. Last year out of 52 10+ offers 46 accepted (hence they took more than the advertised 40).

Completely different at 11+ when there is much more choice. [We - and I think many others are in the same boat, hence the acceptance rate - have no other option.]

[Shaded]

Are your interviews on Friday or Monday? Ours is on Monday and am now wondering whether I should have gone for the Friday option so we are one of the first through the door. Or is it better to be last interviewed?

I am definitely overthinking this.

[OhDearConfused]

What a choice: Early Friday so one of the first whilst interviewers are fresh and not jaded, or Monday so last and they remember you!

Definitely overthinking. . Have a .

We are Monday too, BTW.

[Shaded]

Yep am sure I will get through many bottles of before this ordeal is over .

[justone]

My DS did the 10+ 2 years ago. His interview was on the Monday and got a place - so the interviewers aren't too jaded!

He is halfway through his second year (Y7) there now and loves it. Good luck to all your DS's

[Toomanyworriedsonhere]

My DS towards the end of the day on Friday - probably worst time of all....and I'm also overthinking and decided they are doing it in reverse order of exam success so all best ones on Monday. Oh dear.

Meeting a friend tonight only answer.

[Shaded]

Justone thanks a lot. We need all the reassuring stories we can get

[Shaded]

Toomany I have it the othee way round. We should stop thinking and do more drinking!!!

[OhDearConfused]

justone thanks. Good to know its worth it.

Can you remember what your son told you the interview was like?

[justone]

ohdear from what I recall he was in there about 20 minutes. He said they asked mainly academic questions - a few maths problems, then he had to read a paragraph and give the meaning of certain highlighted words. They also asked him for a verbal review of the book he was reading at that time.
He can't remember the couple of personal questions they asked him.
He didn't seem too phased when he came out. I on the other hand had chewed my fingers down to the knuckle!
IIRC they let us know 2 days later - not much longer to wait now!

[Toomanyworriedsonhere]

Shaded I think you have an evil plan to encourage me drink so much that I can't get my DS to the interview.

[Shaded]

Justone thank you very much for the interview tips.

Toomany very funny. Hope you had a really good time yesterday.

[Toomanyworriedsonhere]

I did have a good evening and then a bad night because DS is stressed and came into bed with me. Poor little thing - I've tried so hard not to pressurise him, but he knows if he doesn't get in now he'll have a whole year of hard work ahead to make sure he gets in next year.

[Shaded]

Toomany dont worry I suspect most DSs are feeling stressed. I am not withholding any treats from DS and trying to overlook all the things that would normally cause me to shout at him. They are afterall still very yourng boys. I had the 'it doesn't matter how you do' chat with him this morning but not sure he believes me now.

[Toomanyworriedsonhere]

I keep telling him it doesn't matter too, but he has decided it matters to him because of the stress of the next year.

I do assume, however, that all of them are feeling the same and the school are used to it and getting the best out of them. A friend who did it last year said he stuttered his way through the maths, but still got in.

[OhDearConfused]

Yep - ours is also going through the same
Good luck all.

Thank you, Justone.

[snowmummy]

Of course your DS is stressed; he's probably picking up on your stress.

[Toomanyworriedsonhere]

As usual, it's all my fault! The joys of being a mother.

Thanks Justone!

[OhDearConfused]

You are not alone, TooMany, my fault too!