How do I know my son is on track for competitive entrance exams?

[splodge2001]

My son is in year 4 at a state school and his teacher has told us that she expects him to be at a level 4 maths next term. Does anyone know what level he should be at in Maths/English to have a good chance at passing entrance exams for London schools: Westminster/CLS/UCS?

A strong and competant level 5 in maths and literacy by the time the test is taken. Plus strong verbal and non verbal reasoning ability.

If you look at the Common Entrance syllabi that will give you an idea here

Note I think Westminster requires at least 70% on the CE

Remember schools don't necessarily just go by exam results - the interview is an important part of the process - and it helps if your son can offer something 'extra' e.g. sport, music, drama, being brilliant at art etc

Ah

isn't common entrance 13+?

If you're looking for WUS then he'll do an 11+ test similar to the senior school pre-test. He will then have to do CE at 13 if he is at WUS.

The CE syllabus papers contain 11+ and 13+ guidelines. Don't forget girls take the exam at 11+ and some coed like Latymer Upper School tend to take both boys and girls at 11+. So I suspect the 11+ CE would give a reasonable idea of the expected level.

Common entrance is normally 13+ but prep schols (or prep departments of combined prep/senior schools) generally have an 11+ intake that's essentially geared up for taking pupils from state schools, and the Common Entrance has 11+ papers as well as 13+ papers; you can see the syllabus for each here (don't panic, your DS won't have to do all those subjects, and particularly not at 11+).

CLS has 11+ maths papers available for download, this should be able to give you an idea. It will be important that your son can do the papers to a high level of accuracy but also in the time limit so practising can really help. WUS 11+ papers are not available but of a similar level. CLS, WUS and other 11+ schools will only test in English (usually a comprehension and essay), maths and verbal/non-verbal reasoning. ISEB website has lots of information and will have a list of topics they should have covered. Galore Park publishing company has lots of materials if you are preparing him yourself. He needs to be at Level 5/6 at January of his year 6.

CLS has a 10+ entrance designed particularly for entrants from the State Sector. Only 20 places, but perhaps better odds than 11+ and also perhaps more emphasis on potential rather than preparation.

Also I dont think many day schools do 11+ CE, as most schools will expect a substantial cohort from the state sector. This is more for the girls boarding schools. Schools will be able to tell you, but expect VR, non-VR, English and maths. (It varies and one or two ask for science.)

You need to make sure that a child has covered the maths, and has enough practice to walk into an exam and show what they can do. The best way to do this depends on your child. Some people say that working with a tutor in groups has helped. We found the Galore Park maths and english books good, as well as timed practice papers. One difference between prep and primary will be that children from the former have a lot more exam experience.