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Original poster

11+ this September. How is everyone?

109 replies

SunflowerDuck · 24/08/2022 14:25

My child sits 11+ in September. Just wondering how others in the same position are getting on?

We had plans to do a mock paper for each subject each week but er haven't done that. They've done some bits here and ther andare plodding through some papers this week.

I have the 10min tests we will keep it ticking over with and they are going to do an external mock test.

I am starting to get so anxious for them. They are naturally bright but we could have done more prep than we have...

Only a few weeks to go! I'm thinking of planning something fun for after the test. And maybe not do much the few days before.

Anyone else?

OP posts:
Pipsquiggle · 06/09/2022 18:58

Been pretty light touch this week, it's all been about going back to school.

I don't think at this stage it will make much difference to the outcome. We and DS have done all we can so whatever the result, I don't think we can be disappointed

livingthegoodlife · 06/09/2022 20:03

Keeping it light here. Still weekly sessions but no cramming & no mocks. Some people we know are doing loads of mocks. I think it's too late for that now. Hoping to keep momentum ticking over.

Wish they did the test in July, it feels like a lot of break over summer.

Good luck everyone.

Pipsquiggle · 06/09/2022 20:07

Yes agree about doing it in July. Keeping the momentum going over summer has been tedious

Original poster
SunflowerDuck · 06/09/2022 21:11

We're doing a mock on Saturday, 2 weeks before the real thing.

We umed and ahed about it as I dint think it will really teach us anything at this late stage- however she's not written for 3 hours straight for a long time (we've pretty much been doing half papers occasionally over the summer) so we thought it would be a good warm up!

We haven't done much this week just the odd "10 minute test" . They're making "silly" mistakes rather than misunderstanding them at the moment.

I will be just so glad to see the end of this at the end of the month!

OP posts:
Coops1988 · 07/09/2022 00:08

We did a test in two halves last week. Have looked over a few questions types she's less keen/sure on. Kind of just hoping they don't come up/are low in number on the day! If anything timing is going to be her issue, that or freaking out over question types she's less confident on, but we've discussed the "just put best guesses/any answers with 1 minute to go" strategy and trying to take a deep breath between sections and just try to treat each one like its own seperate entity. She has stronger and weaker sections. I just want it to be done now, and get results ASAP. Our test centre info arrived today and now I just need to keep her sickness free for the 17th! We're still reminding her that whatever happens we just want her to be happy at school, do her best and get what she needs for her goal of being a teacher.

SunflowerOrange · 07/09/2022 07:03

Ah yes I have a worry in my head about staying sickness free too...

I so want to know now too! I've told them they will do well anywhere but they have a sibling at the grammar and it really is a lovely school that would be such a good fit I so want her to get in!!

SunflowerOrange · 11/09/2022 23:10

So last 2 weeks here! We're going to do 10min tests to keep it ticking over. And sleep and food and a bit of exercise.... Will be strange when it's over and the wait u til the results will feel forever!

Amarette · 11/09/2022 23:17

My DD did it last week and said it was "easy". Which makes me worry she made silly mistakes or didn't read the questions properly...never heard of anyone saying it was easy before! Also annoying that none of the harder stuff came up that we had spent ages working on. Will just have to wait for the results now. So relieved that it's all over and she's my youngest so I took great joy in taking all of our used 11+ books to the local recycling centre and throwing them down into a big container - they flew everywhere and it was very cathartic!!

SunflowerOrange · 11/09/2022 23:26

Oh well done!! Sounds like she got through it/didn't have a ton left over so fingers crossed for her.

I cant wait to be rid of the books!

Coops1988 · 12/09/2022 16:08

Hooray! Looking forward to this time Saturday when the test is over!
I've reached the stage of googling "foods for concentration/memory"! 😆

Ihearticecream · 12/09/2022 18:35

@Coops1988 Oh do share anything you’ve found!

Coops1988 · 12/09/2022 21:45

There's the obviously stuff like ensuring they have a slow energy release breakfast, wholegrain, porridge etc. Then I googled food that aid in memory/concentration.
It's stuff like green veg, peppers, carrots, eggs, nuts and seeds, oily fish (omega 3) beans, berries. It's all stuff we eat anyway but I'm just getting them all in this week in case they help!

Coops1988 · 13/09/2022 21:29

Panic (on my part) really starting to set in for Saturday now.
I KNOW she can answer (most of) these questions but I just keep thinking about her making stupid mistakes, freaking out in the test room or making all her answers in the wrong place or too faintly 😬😬😬😱😱😱😆😆😆

Trying to suppress it all, especially around DD.

And keep her away from the one kid in her class who is freaking out and saying mad stuff.

SunflowerOrange · 13/09/2022 21:48

We're a week behind you but I feel the same. I really dont like our no 2 school and I know grammar would suit her so well. She can do it.... but what if the venue throws her or the paper or she feels sick or or...!

Pipsquiggle · 13/09/2022 23:02

Our county did the mock today, it"s the real thing on Thursday. Lots of parents trying to keep it all in this week. I cannot wait until Thursday night!

Coops1988 · 13/09/2022 23:36

Wow, a Thursday. I kind of assumed everyone did weekends so no missing school.

Problem is after the test there's a month of waiting for the results 😬😆😱

User1563 · 13/09/2022 23:42

Good luck to all the DC taking the exam . You all seem to be doing so well with them and managing the stressful situation so well

buggeringbuggery · 14/09/2022 00:00

@Pipsquiggle not Bucks by any chance?

Pipsquiggle · 14/09/2022 11:24

buggeringbuggery · 14/09/2022 00:00

@Pipsquiggle not Bucks by any chance?

Yes indeed!

Pipsquiggle · 15/09/2022 12:16

My son has probably finished his test now.

At drop off this morning I saw quite a few really stressed kids and mums crying (?!)

All I would say is do everything in your power to be normal, bright and breezy. Fortunately my son was OK going in but a lot weren't.

thing47 · 15/09/2022 12:57

Coops1988 · 13/09/2022 23:36

Wow, a Thursday. I kind of assumed everyone did weekends so no missing school.

Problem is after the test there's a month of waiting for the results 😬😆😱

@Coops1988 Bucks runs an unusual opt-out system, so every DC takes the 11+ unless they specifically withdraw. Therefore it's a county-wide test so it might was well be done on a school day, in their own primary schools.

thing47 · 15/09/2022 13:00

Pipsquiggle · 15/09/2022 12:16

My son has probably finished his test now.

At drop off this morning I saw quite a few really stressed kids and mums crying (?!)

All I would say is do everything in your power to be normal, bright and breezy. Fortunately my son was OK going in but a lot weren't.

Such a terrible system, that has 10-year-olds in tears!

Best of luck to your DS @Pipsquiggle. If it helps DD2 didn't pass, went to a not very good Secondary Modern and now has a first class Masters in a hardcore STEM subject from a top 2 university.

Coops1988 · 15/09/2022 13:05

Ah OK, that is actually better. I do kind of wish that it was still the case all the kids took the test on an unknown date to try to counterbalance the craziness a little bit.

Hope your son is pleased with how it went. I am doing all I can to be calm and not make it more scary than some are already finding.it.

One kid in DD's class is "off sick"...I suspect he is off doing last minute cramming 😬

Pipsquiggle · 15/09/2022 15:58

He seems very chipper at the moment. He said he thought it went well and he tried as hard as he could. We can't ask for anything more

Pipsquiggle · 15/09/2022 15:59

Coops1988 · 15/09/2022 13:05

Ah OK, that is actually better. I do kind of wish that it was still the case all the kids took the test on an unknown date to try to counterbalance the craziness a little bit.

Hope your son is pleased with how it went. I am doing all I can to be calm and not make it more scary than some are already finding.it.

One kid in DD's class is "off sick"...I suspect he is off doing last minute cramming 😬

I think that actually used to happen - they would take it on a random day and it was just a test at school. It was no big deal.

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