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Original poster

11+ score - what scores needed to get into competitive London schools?

71 replies

SamPoodle123 · 31/05/2022 16:01

Does anyone know from past results, what scores were needed to get into competitive London schools such as Godolphin or Latymer Upper? I know every year it changes depending on the results of the current year applying, but there must be some idea.

If your child got into a competitive school, do you know what scores were required for that year to make the cut off?

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HighRopes · 01/06/2022 10:04

I’d just add that scores aren’t a guarantee. This year’s SW London private and grammars thread (which you should read, OP, and maybe the older ones as well) had at least one parent who was very surprised that her dd didn’t get a St Paul’s interview despite a very high CAT score. A previous year had another dd with a top CAT score not get in to (possibly?) Latymer despite lots of other offers, as she messed up the maths paper. One of my dd’s got waitlisted for an easier school and offered for a harder one.

pkim123 · 01/06/2022 09:26

SamPoodle123 · 31/05/2022 16:01

Does anyone know from past results, what scores were needed to get into competitive London schools such as Godolphin or Latymer Upper? I know every year it changes depending on the results of the current year applying, but there must be some idea.

If your child got into a competitive school, do you know what scores were required for that year to make the cut off?

The booklet from Atom Learning has all the average CAT scores required for dozens and dozens of schools. That's your best source.

Bwix · 01/06/2022 08:06

Atom has details of the scores that previous students got, who got places at particular schools. 115-122 will get you into some selective schools but not all. You still have a couple of months to improve the scores with practice, so your dc could be getting mid 120s, or even higher if they have only recently started preparing. My dd did Atom between April and August last year in preparation for 11+ and she started with scores around 120 and finished with scores in the 130s, and got a place at a super selective. Do the mock tests and see which stanine your dc is in: that will also help.

Original poster
SamPoodle123 · 01/06/2022 07:56

@Utility many thanks for posting this. I can not quite read it, but I think I can just about make out that it looks like it might be a list of schools and scores? I will see if I can find the list. Otherwise, I might send you a private message to see if you could maybe email the list or something as when I open the screen shot here, I can not make out exactly what it says.

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Utility · 31/05/2022 22:26

From the Atom website last year.

11+ score - what scores needed to get into competitive London schools?
Original poster
SamPoodle123 · 31/05/2022 21:59

@Whatswrongwithmarjorie many thanks. Yes, we need to look at the schools, we have now started signing up to open days. Some are full, some not until Autumn. But, we are looking at two schools in June, so slowly, but surely we will view the schools. I just hope wherever she gets into, it will be the right fit for her. I want her to be happy. She is sporty and Putney high is on our list. I will check out LEH and Ibstock place.

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Original poster
SamPoodle123 · 31/05/2022 21:56

@Londonderry34 the state primaries that are a sure thing, are not good ones...

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SamPoodle123 · 31/05/2022 21:55

@Londonderry34 err no....they are over subscribed! For example to the one near us, 576 applicants last year for 120 spots. Priority given to siblings, 67 spots go to ones going to church...so after this that leaves not THAT many spots for the hundreds of applicants.....even when you live 10 mins walk to the school, as we do.

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Whatswrongwithmarjorie · 31/05/2022 21:35

@SamPoodle123 your DD sounds very bright and would do well anywhere. Have you had a look round st Paul’s ? If not it’s worth going on an open day and asking the questions of cat scores. Also consider Putney high (if sporty) Wimbledon high, Godolphij and Latimer , LEH and ibstock place .
best bit of advice I can give you though is don’t get hung up on just results. Different schools also have different ethos and feel different so find the best fit . Also please remember schools test differently. Some do ISEB, some do GM and some
do their own thing altogether - make sure DD practises paper exams for verbal, non verbal , English and maths.

Londonderry34 · 31/05/2022 21:24

State primaries not a sure thing? What do you mean? If you meet the criteria, you should have a place. If full, you will have a place at another state school.

Original poster
SamPoodle123 · 31/05/2022 21:18

@Londonderry34 the state primaries are not a sure thing either.... so we need to make sure we try all options. For example, we have one near us that is outstanding. But they offer 25% to top set, 50% middle and 25%bottom set of a banding test....and even with that not all get in, they use distance as well. We live in a spot, where we have a chance to get in, but it is basically just on the fence....also depends on what banding category she falls into and how many fall into same category and distance they live from school. Last year, a girl on our street got in....so there is a chance, but not a sure thing.

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Londonderry34 · 31/05/2022 21:09

I would just concentrate on exam practice if you want her to go to a private school. So read the question, timings etc. Seriously though if you have a good state secondary as an option, go for it. Scores are misleading. Don't get hung up on them.

Original poster
SamPoodle123 · 31/05/2022 21:04

@Londonderry34 I think my dd has a lot of potential, but like I said the sort of primary school she goes to, is not ideal in preparing for the 11+. In fact, I think it makes it more challenging for her, as she is taught in completely different language half the time. However, I am hoping the private schools will take this into account, that this is challenging and pretty amazing to be taught equally in two different languages, especially when her parents do not speak the second language. I am not sure St Pauls would be the right fit for her, I am not keen on it. But she really wants to try....so I said perhaps we will give it a chance depending how she is doing with the practice tests and tutoring etc.

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Original poster
SamPoodle123 · 31/05/2022 21:00

@Londonderry34 we are applying to a couple state schools as well. My dd school is a state primary, with mixed ability and is taught in a second language every other week, so this does make her need some additional help or tutoring to get up to speed to the British private schools. As half the time her lessons are taught in the second language, which means the English she gets is half of what other kids get. But that being said, she is scoring well in English on atom learning and we began tutoring last week, so we will try and hope for the best. She is keen and motivated.

We have only been using atom learning for two weeks and ill probably keep her doing it until she takes the exams, along with tutoring. But if she starts getting 142 on it, then we will start focusing on other materials like the books we have. I just like atom learning better because it is easier to do. She also began tutoring last week, which we will continue weekly as well.

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Londonderry34 · 31/05/2022 20:15

If you apply to St Paul's, they want a child who is naturally academic - yes, they can spot it - is engaged and not coached. They know exactly what they are looking for.

MarshaBradyo · 31/05/2022 20:10

True we only did Atom for a month and did practice papers in the summer, and general reading

iirc the format changed after summer anyway from paper

State primary here we didn’t know CAT score (not sure if it was available)

declutteringmymind · 31/05/2022 19:58

I agree. I'll be subscribing to Atom during the summer and Christmas. There's no substitute for learning the materials in depth so will be using a variety of platforms as well as copious reading.

TypsTrycks · 31/05/2022 19:57

One more thing to remember is the duration of Atom practice - I only bought the subscription for two months so we ended up around 120. But DS’ best friend practised on it for a year and he was getting 142 towards the end because a lot of the questions repeat. We were also told by the prep schools to mix different platforms and we used non-Atom platforms as well. So don’t worry too much about Atom scores as its only an indication and doesn’t necessarily mean you will get offers. Cat scores are a much better indication because you can’t really practise for that.

Londonderry34 · 31/05/2022 19:54

Don't apply to to St Paul's if you need extra tutoring from a private school.

Londonderry34 · 31/05/2022 19:52

Also if you have an academic child at a private primary school, you should not need any additional tutoring for schools. If your child is in a state school in a large class with a mixed ability group and supply teaching, then yes, a bit of exam practice will help.

Londonderry34 · 31/05/2022 19:48

St Paul's is not impossible for the right fit (and they love a smart girl from a state school). You do realise there are fantastic state secondary schools in London? Check them out.

MarshaBradyo · 31/05/2022 19:42

I didn’t realise that about the highest, so I just double checked with him
I hadn’t misremembered

He's in the co ed selective school in Dulwich. It was actually a really hard choice as his sibling is at the outstanding state and doing really well in A levels, and it’s free ;

We took a leap of faith as seemed a good opportunity and accepted the place and he seems happy so hopefully all good

Just to add it took a week or so to get those scores so I do think practising the format was invaluable - in terms of timing mostly

Winterofdiscontent22 · 31/05/2022 19:35

SamPoodle123 · 31/05/2022 19:17

@Whatswrongwithmarjorie oh man. That will drive me nuts not knowing!

If you get a 'no' you can usually ask for feedback- they may tell you which quartile your child's results were in etc. Can be useful if doing 10pluses.

Original poster
SamPoodle123 · 31/05/2022 19:17

@Whatswrongwithmarjorie oh man. That will drive me nuts not knowing!

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SamPoodle123 · 31/05/2022 19:16

@MarshaBradyo we already signed up and wow, 135-142 are very high scores..in fact, 142 is the highest score you can get. What secondary did he end up going to? He must be a genius if he was scoring 142!

@declutteringmymind we put Godolphin for the target school. That was my thought, aim for 130.

@TypsTrycks many thanks. I will message them and find out more. My dd is in year 5 and I do not think they took CAT yet, at least I did not get any scores or feedback. I will ask the school about this.

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