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Original poster

11 plus support thread for exams 2024

638 replies

ElvenDreamer · 11/10/2023 08:55

Hi all,
Anyone fancy joining me for for an 11 plus support thread for those yr 5s who are probably just starting a bit of prep now ready to sit exams in September 2024?

State grammar is the angle I'm personally coming from but all welcome no matter if you're applying to private selective, state aptitude tests etc.

This will be my 3rd and final time of going through this and I've found support threads here really useful the previous times.

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6
Return2thebasic · 20/08/2024 23:41

@Danlsb It is how it is now. With a couple weeks to go, the best you can help her is to focus on giving her best regardless the results. I told mine at the last hours for each, the exam was a report he delivered to himself. If he could put his best out there, the rest doesn't matter.

Remember, all what she worked on benefits herself no matter she gets in or not. To pitch reaching the % and an offer as the sole reason is not healthy and very dangerous.

SamPoodle123 · 20/08/2024 13:49

Danlsb · 19/08/2024 10:22

Hi - my DD’s first exam is 2nd Sept. We did a mock at her preferred school yesterday which she found really hard and is now freaking out and not wanting to work - lots of tears and saying she can’t do it and making silly mistakes. She did a mock in her explore learning centre the week before and did really well. I’m now panicking that the explore learning 11plus stuff is perhaps not to the same level. We are in a super selective grammar area so she needs to be hitting 90% - anyone else’s having the same experience ?

I think it depends what school you are applying to. Do they have an example paper on their website? Most schools do. This will help you get an idea of what level is needed. Some exams are more difficult than others.

Danlsb · 19/08/2024 10:22

Hi - my DD’s first exam is 2nd Sept. We did a mock at her preferred school yesterday which she found really hard and is now freaking out and not wanting to work - lots of tears and saying she can’t do it and making silly mistakes. She did a mock in her explore learning centre the week before and did really well. I’m now panicking that the explore learning 11plus stuff is perhaps not to the same level. We are in a super selective grammar area so she needs to be hitting 90% - anyone else’s having the same experience ?

yoshiblue · 14/07/2024 09:04

@slaybell 👋 I think so too, I’ll recognise you from other posts I think!

slaybell · 14/07/2024 08:32

yoshiblue · 13/07/2024 21:11

DS has exams on 16/9 and 20/9. Once school finishes for Summer, it feels like we're on the final stretch of practice paper practice and a couple of mock exams. Will be so glad when it's over!

Same.

Think you may be in the same area as me.

MincemeatMaestro · 13/07/2024 23:05

Mid-September for us, almost exactly two months to go. I think we're in a good place so wish we could get it over with now! We're taking a break for the first half of the holidays (we're away for some of that anyway) and then will knuckle down for a final push, including doing longer practice papers rather than the 10 minute tests that we've been mostly using so far, and practising using the answer sheet format. I'll be so glad when it's over!

yoshiblue · 13/07/2024 21:11

DS has exams on 16/9 and 20/9. Once school finishes for Summer, it feels like we're on the final stretch of practice paper practice and a couple of mock exams. Will be so glad when it's over!

RandomUsernameHere · 13/07/2024 20:41

21 September for DD and 28 September for DS. Definitely feels close now. DS and I went to the open morning the other week which I think was quite motivating for him. DD's open evening is next week.

@BarqsHasBite that's unfortunate that they are so spread out! On the plus side, the earlier ones will be good practice for the target school exam.

Original poster
ElvenDreamer · 13/07/2024 16:59

21st Sep for us, and the letter with all the details arrived today. We've been unlucky with the sitting time, DS will have to sit the exam right across lunch time so now need to factor that issue into planning too!

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BarqsHasBite · 13/07/2024 13:20

Our first exam is 7 Sep, but the exam for our target school isn’t until Jan - so for us it’s both soon and still a long time away! 😫

generalelectionfish · 13/07/2024 10:11

How is everyone getting on? Feels close now!

Original poster
ElvenDreamer · 19/05/2024 15:33

Hi @FrenchieMum2Be , they do tend to wax and wane, I've got used to that now I think. What seems like a short time to us seems so long for them. Open days do help though as they then feel something more tangible to work for. We've done one, one to go.

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FrenchieMum2Be · 19/05/2024 13:36

Hi everyone. The timeline seems to speed up lately... We're home tutoring. Mock and real exams booked, open days are next month.
My year 5 child is going through all the motions but has lost motivation the past few weeks.
Will read the rest of the thread later for support.

RandomUsernameHere · 18/05/2024 19:59

tiffandseb · 17/05/2024 12:29

Let children enjoy their childhoods!

Very odd coming from someone who presumably knows nothing about any of our children.

slaybell · 17/05/2024 15:49

@tiffandseb why are you even here?

Original poster
ElvenDreamer · 17/05/2024 14:41

@tiffandseb I assure you I am. My kids work hard and play very hard. There is no pressure, all extra curricular interests are continuing, they spend a ton of time exploring outside, they have screen time. they all wanted to do the 11+ so why would I throw them in unprepared. There are plenty of hours in the day, please don't assume hothousing is going on. If this thread is not to your liking then scroll on by . By having a support thread it enables the parents to have a little private stress without the kids hearing ANY of it, so they remain unpressured, happy kids.

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MincemeatMaestro · 17/05/2024 12:37

I've just registered my DC and I'm thankful that I don't know how many others have registered! I've also noticed a shift towards enthusiasm rather than grudging tolerance towards prep, which makes my life much easier because we're prepping at home rather than using a tutor. We're using the CGP online resources so do a couple of sections he's not so keen on (nonverbal and English) then 'reward' him with a section on the areas he likes (maths and verbal reasoning).

tiffandseb · 17/05/2024 12:29

Let children enjoy their childhoods!

Original poster
ElvenDreamer · 17/05/2024 08:07

Ooh, yes, @PencilVania the realisation of numbers hit for me when I made the application a few hours after opening time on the 2st day and the applicant number was already into the 1000s. Yes I have noticed a general maturing of DC towards the process although like @RandomUsernameHere there are definitely resistant days too. Our biggest hurdle is still consistency. Some days aces everything like a pro, others clearly doesn't bother reading the questions properly, or doesn't notice there are questions on both sides of the sheet etc. Next task is to start really thinking about a good plan B, always my least favourite part of the process. We always try to make it very positive for DC though.

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RandomUsernameHere · 16/05/2024 17:56

@PencilVania that sounds really positive, wish that was the case for us! Both of mine are still quite resistant to doing the work at home.
It's getting closer now, less than four and a half months for us. I've done the entry for DS already, for DD it opens at the end of the month.

PencilVania · 16/05/2024 13:42

Also not sure if anyone else has observed their DC maturing over the last couple of weeks but DC attitude has finally shifted after a couple of months of not be as enthusiastic! He gets home from school has a shower and just get on with his tutoring homework and online prep (all with no prompting from me)😭
I remember reading another parent saying this about their DC and I was thinking lucky them lol!

PencilVania · 16/05/2024 13:37

ElvenDreamer · 16/05/2024 11:21

Hi all, how is everyone doing? I've just made the entry this week, did it on the day the entries opened so I didn't actually forget!

Good thanks, the one of the consortiums we applied to was down for the first 30mins due to site traffic!
Made it all to real how many applications there will be…

Original poster
ElvenDreamer · 16/05/2024 11:21

Hi all, how is everyone doing? I've just made the entry this week, did it on the day the entries opened so I didn't actually forget!

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RandomUsernameHere · 27/04/2024 22:15

We're also using group tutoring. I think both DC are more receptive to a "proper" tutor than they are to me. Also, it's a lot easier getting them to go to the class than doing the work at home! They both seem to quite enjoy the classes, or at least don't mind going.

Original poster
ElvenDreamer · 27/04/2024 18:12

@BarqsHasBite , painful isn't it 😄

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