7+ / 8+ London boys schools Dec 2018 / Jan 2019 (St Paul's Juniors, Westminster Under, Kings)

[RaspberryCake]

Hi everyone, just wondering if anyone has a DS doing the 7+ or 8+ exam for some of the London day schools, like St Paul's Juniors, Westminster, or Kings. My DS is doing the 7+ and the first exam is on December 1st (St Paul's). I think I have a fairly good idea of the exam structure but, of course, I would welcome any top tips - as well as company from a Mumsnet support group, as we go through this! Good luck to everyone!

I have nothing but disdain for the selfish over privileged indecisive idiots who pay deposits at two of these super competitive schools, thereby preventing another family from getting a place at a school they have worked so hard for. Make your mind up FGS.

They will have to decide eventually. I wonder why they don’t know? It’s very odd. I mean even all things being equal (which they are not because the schools are different, ethos, location, emphasis, staff, parents...) one must be a better fit.. and if it isn’t, stick a pin in a map, it doesn’t matter!

Maybe parents are in disagreement about which school is preferable? I can’t think of any other reason why they didn’t make a decision as soon as all the offers were in.

I also would love to know what resources people used!

Hello, Is there a similar thread for 7+/8+ for 2020 candidates? We are thinking of applying for 7+ assessments for some of the top schools and would love to have an online community to share and discuss things.

Hi @sunandsand0! I started this thread last year. My son is doing 8+ (not having been successful at 7+). I would love some company too. Did you find a new thread?

@RaspberryCake , good luck! Interested to know if you moved to a prep in Jan & has your ds thrived/made progress for you to sit again?

We were going to move him but the prep advised us to let him do the 8+ (because they thought he had a decent shot at getting in) and they are holding his place for next year in case be doesn't get in. The prep goes to 13.

Best of luck, good to hear the Prep was supportive.

Hello everyone, has anyone's kid wrote 7+ for 2020 entry?
How did the interviews and Group activity morning at KCS go?
My DS is appearing this year. He is not giving any concrete information on how did it go?
Any suggestions on what could be done to boost his confidence?

My son did 8+ activity day. He really enjoyed it and tasks included shapes related games and a treasure / mystery map. Some playing outside too. Hard to evaluate how it actually went.

Also did the activity morning for KCJS and son had a good time -not sure of what that means! agree with @RaspberryCake regarding specific activities of the day.
Exam was yesterday and although we are at a prívate school it doesn’t prepare for the 7/8+ and so we’re not sure of how things have gone. Now have a nearly 2 week wait!

@lxoc did you do 7+ or 8+? My son said reasoning was very hard. The competition is fierce for 8+. I wish we had also tried at 7+ but my husband thought that Wimbledon was way too far. He changed his mind when he went on the parent tour and saw the school and now it's our and our son's favourite school.

My son did 7+ at KCS and reported that reasoning was hard in that it did not comprise of the type of questions he has seen particularly before.

Hello, could one of you give me the approximates date for SPJ at 7+ the website does not say.
Thanks a lot

Not sure exactly what you mean. The exam for 7+ at SPJS is this Saturday.

Should say for 2020 entry.

Thanks was just wondering about timeline. My son is not there yet ;) is the exam the first step there or do they have activity day before then? When do you find out results of the exam? Do they have interviews after that?

@Lolakath19 there’s usually an open day, then exams in late nov/early Dec depending on dates, those who pass exams are invited to an follow up assessment/group session Within a week or so and parents are invited to speak with head on same day; and that’s it really.

Thanks that is very helpful by when do you have to accept offers? When are the results for kings and Westminster are they at the same time?

Usually families should have until the new year to accept offers. It gets tricky when trying to manage the offer acceptance deadlines between SPJ and Westminster/any other school. Dates may change slightly from year to year. SPJ tends to be earlier or aligned as their exam date is earlier than Westminster for example.
The school provides upfront information of the timelines to all families of boys writing the assessments.

@RaspberryCake how did your son get on? We didn’t get a place. Quite deflated even though we know competition is rife. We go to prep school - so zero prep for 8+. An exhausting process. Hope you had better news.

We are lucky to get a place at 7+ today but it is such a hard test on 6-7 year old so totally dependent on the random performance of the day. Can understand how much tougher it is even for parents.

Did anyone else DS do the 7+ at SPJ today?

We did. My DS said maths was harder than Kings.

Yes we did the St Paul’s exam today. How did yours find it?