Help finding a tutor for 8+ exam in central London

[Dalila12]

I'm looking for a tutor for my DS with a good track record of tutoring students that have passed their 8+ entry exams for WUS/Colet Court. I feel completely lost here and would appreciate some suggestions please.

I've just spoken to a couple of mums who had their kids sit through the exams at CC and WUS. They said they all had their kids tutored months in advance. I'm finding the whole preparation process very depressing. My DS is doing very well at the current school, though I think not to the standard of these schools. I think it would be great to go to one of these schools. I've been working with him over the summer using the bond assessment books which have been going very well. What am I missing??

Look at the London based agencies listed on Good Schools Guide - pick those with the best reviews, call them and ask for tutors with a good track record of getting children into these schools.

That said I don't think you need to, from what you say, sounds like DS is doing very well, good luck.

Dalila, don't get disheartened! My DS took and passed the 8+ to one of the schools you mentioned and also KCJS - I assure you that he certainly was not tutored for months prior to the exam. The only extra work he did was a month and a half (begin in December prior to the exam) of some sessions with a friend of mine for vr/nvr as these were not things that his school did. He did the sessions with a friend of his (who also did not do any other tutoring and was accepted to the same school as my son), so it was more like a game session rather than intense tutoring.

If your son is doing well at school, give it a go. To get a sense of the 8+, there is a same exam on the KCJS website. It is not tricky - maths, english comp, writing, nvr/vr. Practicing writing a story in the time limits would be helpful, as well as mental maths practice. Not really certain about VR/NVR as these were sections I has never encountered before (hence why my friend stepped in), but I think she did Bond Books as well as some other ones.

Please feel free to ask any further questions. Additionally, I do have some practice exams which his previously school gave me to practice - if you'd like a copy, please PM me.

Good Luck!

sample not same!

My friend's ds is aiming for Colet Court (he's just turned 6 and is at the local state primary atm) and has a lovely tutor in SW London - we have 'borrowed' her for our dd1, to boost her confidence in specific maths areas - who has lots of experience in helping kids applying for CC.

Feel free to pm me for details if you like!

Mominatrix, I am glad that I found some information here regarding 8+ for CC/WUS. My son is going to take these exam this January. He does not have a tutor but he does bond papers. He is finishing " maths assessment age 8-9" book but " English assessment age 7-8". I am not sure what level we should aim for for 8+ exams. I would be grateful if I could somehow borrow any sample papers. He goes to state school and is proven "very bright/intelligent" by his teacher, however "being bright" at a state school may not mean much as they have a very mix ability children in the classroom.

Hello mum69. A bright child in the state sector is a bright child full stop, so please have faith in your son. As I said to Dalila, at this age, a tutor is not necessary, more of a security blanket for the parent. However, practicing timed testing is important to familiarise your son with test taking. For both schools, the maths and vr/nvr are emphasised, so try a couple 9-10 level quizzes, as well as practicing mental maths sessions as speed is important (there are books for this, and take only a few minutes a day). Also, practice writing a story in 25 minutes, both fiction and non-fiction (eg, describe your favourite toy to an alien).

If you'd also like a copy of the practice exams, please PM me your address and I'll post them to you.

Thank you all for this. I found it all somewhat comforting. It's hard to get dragged into this when you feel everyone around you is. It is just a very difficult balance to strike. I want to make sure he does not feel much pressure about the exam but also would like him to have prepared well for it.

Mominatrix, I'd very much appreciate a copy of the practice exams.

Thanks again.

Hi, Mominatrix. I never received the practice tests you said you'd kindly send nor heard back.

Sorry Dalila - printer/copier was acting funny, and DH was away. He came back today, so should be able to photocopy them soon.. I have not forgotten, and it is on the top of my TO DOs.

hi Elibean and other super mums, my son is registered to sit the 8 plus at Kings College, Westminster and Colet Court - he was being bullied for answering questions at his current school so am keen to move him to be with others more like him. I am struggling to find an experienced tutor...all the tutors I have been referred to have little or no experience in getting children into the schools I mentioned. Could anyone suggest a tutor(s) for us (we live in East Twickenham) .