DS is above average but not top set/brilliant and we have been tutoring him for the last 2 year to try for year 7 entry as our local state secondary is not great. We chose one "super selective", 3 others good schools which are not top 50 but still hard to get into but two safe choices. DS has already done 2 assessment days which seem to have gone well and has 3 more in Jan. The problem I have is the sheer numbers applying and the high standard. I think DS will do well but am just not sure he will be in the top 5% of whatever is needed to get in. Even the schools that are supposed to be easier to get into have 400 applications for 40 places. Just seems impossible to get DS in anywhere. It doesn't help that DS is not very motivated so it takes a huge amount of effort to get him to do practice papers. I am sure we have done far less than many others which will out DS at a disadvantage. Why are these schools so hard to get into and why are there no options for more average kids? Can anyone advise? Am in 2 minds whether he should even sit the January exams as his chances seem very low based on the number of applicants.