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Original poster

What questions was your DC asked at 11+ interview? Did you practice?

35 replies

Fluffyhamster · 23/09/2010 13:53

DS1 will likely have a couple of interviews with Head Teacher/ senior school staff as part of his 11+ (independent school) application process.

Am just wondering what your DC were asked if they've been through this?

I don't want to 'over-rehearse' things, but I would like him to think about how he might answer certain types of questions.

I think the obvious ones are:

  • why would you like to come here?
  • what are your hobbies?

What else?

OP posts:
alexw · 23/09/2010 14:18

I do the 11+ interviews at my (academic independent) school. Ask about hobbies - looking for self-motivated activities. Interest in reading - but don't try to show off - much prefer them to say Enid Blyton that Dickens if they can then speak enthusiastically about it. Give them some Maths puzzles/problems to do (for checking teachability/how well they respond to instructions). Talk about a picture - again, looking for interesting vocab and good ideas. DO NOT EVER give the answer to 'why do you want to come here?' - Because of the facilities. make sure you have visited the school before - an open day or something. Make sure your ds has noticed something in particular about the school to mention. Basically just be natural and enthusiastic. We can tell so easily when kids have been rehearsed - much prefer more natural answers.
Will be asked why this school, where else are you applying to, any siblings (esp if older and already somewhere else so more likely to join sibling)... HTH

hitmouse · 23/09/2010 14:16

Others were 'what was your favourite holiday' followed by questions like how was it different to the UK, what book are you reading, some topical ones eg what's in the news at the moment. I think it's important that they can elaborate, so if asked a straightforward question they can talk around it.

norflondoner · 23/09/2010 14:16

mine was asked if he had read a newspaper or watched the news this week and asked to talk about it.

Original poster
Fluffyhamster · 23/09/2010 14:11

Oh, sorry - of course...

OP posts:
hitmouse · 23/09/2010 14:07

No - but of course I quizzed her when she came out

Original poster
Fluffyhamster · 23/09/2010 14:02

Were you in the interview then? I don't think parents are allowed in ours...

OP posts:
hitmouse · 23/09/2010 14:01

Oh yes, my DD had that! She said yes then when she saw my horrified face asked what she should have said. I couldn't tell her! She got in anyway - maybe for being honest!

dinosaur · 23/09/2010 14:01

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Original poster
Fluffyhamster · 23/09/2010 13:59

The same school last year asked a friend's child "were you tutored?" Blush

OP posts:
hitmouse · 23/09/2010 13:56

I'd certainly practise, though some schools will throw in odd ones like 'tell me what's happening in this picture' so it's worth spelling out to your DS what they'd be looking for in his answer

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