Sitting the 11 Plus without tutoring?

fair enough MrsWinnibago. It's good that your DD is enjoying it. Good luck

MrsWinnibago, if you are on the Wirral then I assume you are looking at WK GS or Wirral GS - both of which are pretty selective.

Everyone that I know who wants to go to Grammar has had a tutor from beginning of Yr 5 (or even earlier). The one that I know about who didn't have a tutor at all actually failed the 11+ and she has just taken level 6 sats! So it's not enough just to be clever..

We had a look at the papers and there is no way my DD could answer the questions without being tutored and she is currently working at level 5 (yr 5). And I know that I couldn't help with the tutoring myself as I just dont know what they are looking for etc.

I do know of someone who got a tutor for the summer holidays only and she did pass but was stressful and not recommended.

If she really wants to for it and you can't afford it, then if you've got the time (patience) then you should go for it but it won't be easy. You will have to do your homework and get lots of papers - not just past papers but information etc.

Good luck.

Any recommendations of how much we should pay a tutor?

My oldest will probably need help and there are some smart university students living with their parents close to me who have offered to help. What do you think is fair for an hour of their time?

I don't suppose I can use the same rates that I use for babysitting can I?

OP, if the test is on VR then you don't need a tutor. Go buy some VR sample test papers from WHS and help your dd practice at home. The most difficult part of VR is to complete the test in time. Your dd will get less than 1 min per question and sometimes understanding the question is harder than answering it. If she's familiar with the questions and knows exactly what she's suppose to do, it will make a huge difference. GL.

DS got into a super-selective without paid-for tutoring (he passed all three 11+ exams he took!). It is entirely possible and don't believe any parent who tells you otherwise! There is an awful lot of 'spin' about the need for tutors. Know that the Headteachers at most grammar schools would prefer children not to be tutored for 11+ exams....

What I would say is that you do need to do some prep though - just to check that they are up-to-speed on what they'll be tested on.... In our area the schools have moved right away from NVR and VR and towards good Maths and English skills!

Good luck!

Starting a bit earlier, not staring!

I did about 6 or 7 practice papers as recommended by elevenplusexams with DS2 and used a computer package, bought from them, in the August and September before his test in October. It was enough to get him a comfortable pass for the super selectives in Gloucester, but not enough to pass for Pates in Cheltenham. (super-duper selective!) He passed level 6 for maths but wasn't entered for level 6 literacy at his primary, so bright but not exceptional.

In retrospect, staring a bit earlier would have been better, but I was in the midst of a divorce and it dropped in priority. Do see what papers are recommended for your area. They do differ and Glos has moved to CEM from VR this year.

it IS a new thing to tutor so much for grammar - because the recession really bit in some areas... so a lot of grammar school entrants were from the public school arena.... competition becomes fierce.

Also, and it sounds snobby and WRONG, I know ....... a lot of "naice" new build housing is now built on "the wrong side of town" for the "good" schools, so people tutor like hell to get their kids to the grammar rather than the local school.....

I went to a grammar school. Don't remember any tutoring and friends parents say they never did also. I don't even remember being told it was an important test, just fill out this kind of thing. It's seems a new thing that people 'tutor' for grammar.

Most of its multiple choice anyway so they get a good chance of recognising answer as its written and they just circle which one

I did with my son practice papers from www.galorepark.co.uk
Worked great! Highly recommended but a little bit expensive. They are doing sales sometimes. You could check the website. Bond papers, Schoffield and Simms also. If you can do it yourself definitely save a fortune! Keep an eye on timing. It is very important. The test is better to be done in 40 min - 1 h ( depends on type). Good luck!!!

Check if you have maths - in our area the maths at 11+ is not all covered by the core curriculum at school by the time they take the 11+

Hi Mrs Winnibago:

My advice is have a visit to the 11+ forum and see what they advise specifically for your region (just scroll down until you see your county/ city). www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/forum/11plus/index.php

We prepared for 11+ by DIY - and DD1 actually did score enough to go to one of the grammar schools here.

My advice is read quality children's fiction, watch quality tv documentaries/ factual/ historical programming (really expands vocabulary) and do use practice materials (as you say a lot is available on-line for free). However - at the top of your region on the 11+ forum there should be some stickies which help layout what the test for your grammar schools includes and advice on good study materials from parents who have been through this before.

Also worthwhile talking to parents of Y6 pupils off to the grammar this Sept.

HTH

Actually, DS was neither determined nor competitive about his grades until he went to the boys' grammar :o

He was always on the G&T lists. DD is slightly less academic but she only missed out by about 6 marks. I could probably have got her in to grammar on appeal, but she's doing really well and is in all the top sets at her comprehensive.

Yikes Everhopeful where are you,is that 95% in everything?

We made a very late decision to put ds1 in for the 11 plus exam and he managed to pass with just a week or so practice using the "How to pass verbal and non-verbal reasoning books" so it can be done. Actually, I think the late application put the pressure off because he knew he was at a disadvantage not having been tutored.

Mine both sat it without tutoring. The one we expected to pass did, and the one we didn't expect to pass didn't. Both are thriving at their respective schools.

And I agree with Everhopeful, praise and reward the effort made, and downplay the consequences of the actual result!