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Original poster

Anyone's DCs doing the Surrey SET test this month?

34 replies

whataboutbob · 03/09/2017 18:35

DS2 is due to sit it. Just an appeal to anyone who understands the process- I understand it will be Maths and English, no VR/ NVR. Will it definitely be all multiple choice? Anything else I should be aware of? Where are the venues likely to be- any info would be useful really!

OP posts:
Original poster
whataboutbob · 13/09/2017 08:29

Our venue is greenshaw school, no train stations nearby only buses and we don't live near their route so we are going to book a taxi.

OP posts:
Teddygirlonce · 13/09/2017 08:12

@Ladymuck public transport is actually your best friend for the 11+ test days. Much less stressful.

DS and DH both involved in Surrey SET Wink.

Original poster
whataboutbob · 12/09/2017 17:53

Hi pudding- just checked my inbox there is an email from the SET administrator with the venue for next Tuesday 's exam.
I am doing small maths tests just 20-30 mins most days. Bond books, GL etc

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Puddinglane12 · 11/09/2017 17:44

Hi whatabout,

'We' are sitting the exam too. I also find it a bit confusing. Have you heard anything about your exam venue yet? I vaguely recall we should receive notification this week. I'm also assuming this will be via email.
LM thanks for maths challenge tip.

Original poster
whataboutbob · 04/09/2017 13:28

Thank you. I am feeling foolish re not getting DS tutored, the main reason being limited funds and not being on the inside track re tutors, never managing to actually find one. I comically went about all the wrong ways trying to do that: posting on Mumsnet, posting on 11 plus forum (I now realise this is taboo). Also relying on DH whose only lead was someone who tutored for the private sector school entries.
He's top of his class for maths but obviously if he hasn't studied something he can't do it.
Thanks for the VR practice tip, we have the Bond VR books so will do that. Also thanks Ladymuck for the Junior Maths Challenge tip- I'm off to look that up!

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MagicMarkers · 04/09/2017 09:43

I have two sons at Wilson's so we've been through this twice. Yes, the Sutton SET is all multiple choice. The second tests aren't multiple choice and will include creative writing. The SET covers the entire KS2 curriculum not just year 5. That's why tutoring is necessary, because the work won't have been covered at state school yet.

I think it's useful to do some VR practice. It overlaps with English a lot and it is good for vocabulary. I know a girl who was thrown by a few questions in the Tiffin exam, because she hadn't done any VR practice and didn't know how to do the questions. Tiffin claims there is no VR and these questions could be called English, but they were VR in style.

Ladymuck · 04/09/2017 09:10

Certainly the papers can cover year 6 material - they can cover all of KS2. This usually crops up more on the 2nd round where shape, averages and probability are more likely to be tested.

But I think the differentiator on 2nd round maths is less about how far through the curriculum they have raced and more about problem solving - can you read, and interpret a problem and decide which tool to reach for in order to solve it. Practice here is key, and I would suggest the Primary/Junior Maths Challenge. First round maths used to be ensuring that you had good coverage of all areas rather than being tricky as such.

Original poster
whataboutbob · 03/09/2017 22:28

Thanks Ladymuck I have posted before on this topic and you always help out with great advice. We'll be coming by public transport so I hope we get Sutton GS as the other schools aren't that readily accessible. Come to think of it we may have to hire a car on the day if the venue isn't SGS.
Have been revising antonyms/ synonyms till they come out of the poor boy's ears!
We have self tutored and I am a bit worried that he'll get stuff outside of the year 5 curriculum especially in maths- but maybe that's more likely in round 2?

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Ladymuck · 03/09/2017 19:36

Some of the English questions are VR-ish - antonyms/synonyms.
Yes, 1st round is multiple choice.
The venues are obviously the grammar schools themselves - usually the nearest one to you, but not always. (we ended up at the one furthest away). Allow more time than you believe necessary to park. Preferably park quite a distance away and walk in. Do not underestimate the amount of time it might take to find a parking space. People WILL block roads entirely.