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Pre-test preparation advice

8 replies

peoniesarejustperfect · 27/01/2019 10:03

My ds is sitting the ISEB pre-test in the autumn and I'm really worried about how he'll get on. He's dyslexic and does better on paper than on computer tests.

Our local independent school is becoming more academic and has introduced this test in Year 6.

Any advice on how to prepare him? I've been looking at Bofa, Bond and Pretestplus online, plus the Galore Park books. His times tables are brilliant, but he's not good at mental maths and I'm a bit flummoxed by the NV stuff... Something that shows us how to do the exercises and then lots of practise, would be wonderful!

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peoniesarejustperfect · 28/01/2019 08:10

Bump

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trinity0097 · 28/01/2019 20:18

Bofa is great and helps our kids

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Itonya1 · 28/01/2019 20:22

Peonis I do recommend a tutor who specialises in assisting children with dyslexia and plenty of practice on BOFA

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MGMidget · 29/01/2019 10:07

Does he qualify for extra time? If so discuss with the school as he can get extra time on the ISEB pre test. If you haven’t looked into whether he qualifies you might want to ask the school to start looking into it as some assessments would be needed.

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peoniesarejustperfect · 29/01/2019 17:36

Thank you so much for your replies. He qualifies for 20% extra, but as we're beginning to realise, it doesn't really help as he rushes, makes mistakes and then gets easier questions and less of them. He is always delighted to finish first!

I've had a good look at Bofa and think it looks really good for us. Does anyone else find it difficult? I found the English, Maths and NVR ok but was totally floored and quite fed up with the VR - prob where he gets it from and gave me a bit of insight into how he feels.

I do our own dyslexia tutoring as I couldn't find anyone locally - there is one who we've used, but she was £100 per hour. I did a brilliant course at the Helen Arkell centre. Are there tutors who just help with the pretest activities? That would be a great help.

For those of you using Bofa - can I ask how long you've done it for? Are we quite late starting for Oct?

Thanks so much.

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trinity0097 · 29/01/2019 19:56

I start it with year 5 at the start of the summer term.

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MrsPatmore · 29/01/2019 20:19

Some good suggestions here. I would also see if there is a less academically selective school he could sit for too.

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peoniesarejustperfect · 30/01/2019 11:35

Thanks trinity that's reassuring. I'll start in the easter hols. Do you just use Bofa or other things as well?

MrsP we don't have much choice locally as we live in a rural area with poor public transport, but we have decided to consider boarding as it really broadens out our options. Wherever he goes, we don't want him to just scrape in.