Hampton Entrance Exam 11+ 13+

[limegrapefruit]

I have a son at Hampton and a younger son who has just sat the entrance exam. They are very similar in ability - younger son slightly better with maths. Yet they seem to have had wildly different experiences with the entrance exam.

Older son (offered a place) finished the maths paper completely.
Younger son (slightly higher natural ability in maths) could not finish the paper and has given detailed explanations of some of the questions which seem so much harder this year than last year when older son sat.

For example (I have changed details a little because I know exams are happening today and Tuesday reserve date). Algebra questions sound 10x complex than last year; the bigger mark questions (6-8 marks) are also far more complex.

Does anyone have a son that found the maths paper relatively easy/doable? finished the whole paper? I wonder if Hampton have included scholarship questions this year to catch all levels of ability rather than have a second sitting for academic scholars.

You need to follow the SW London girls thread in the secondary school section. It includes boys schools despite the title and the posters are discussing Hampton.

When my ds applied many years ago the last few maths questions were for scholars, my ds didn't finish the maths exam and has done very well at the school including further maths etc.

My son sat the exam and thought it was all okay until the last few questions which he had expected to be difficult. I suppose it splits the genius ones from the very good ones. Nothing to worry about I would say.

@limegrapefruit my son reported the same as Noel. Maybe in your older son's year they realised it was a bit too easy and had trouble deciding who was on/off the list?

Interesting. My son is also in the top set in maths and mentioned he did not complete the last two questions (he usually is good in finishing on time) and that the maths was challenging whereas the English was very easy, apparently only two comprehension question (we asked whether he did not miss a page) & creative writing. I think we hear back Dec 16th, fingers crossed

@geleve I assume they differentiate between the quality of the creative writing. It may have had a lot of marks and I assume they find this task produces sufficient variety of answers. Whereas maths is so much more closed in terms of answers.

Our DS also sat Hampton and didn’t finish Maths or reasoning. He said it was very tough! Thank you for sharing on here that he’s not the only one who is in this situation. Maybe…..just maybe there is hope!

Don't worry. My son said he only knows one person who can finish the Math paper, not even those in the top set.

Also, many didn't finish the reasoning paper, and among those that did finish, most said the last question was difficult and might not be correct (or at least some not correct).

The English paper was easy though.

Hello, would anyone have an idea how many people Hampton invites for an interview ? Thank you

Nothing on the email, but I heard before that they interview double the number of places available.

Do not worry too much! My son sat Hampton and various other schools a few years ago. I was (privately!) so stressed that he didn’t finish, for eg, I remember he said he missed off the last six or so maths for Tiffin paper.

He passed to all schools. no waiting lists and a couple of academic scholarships. I really expected him to have failed based on his feedback. Otoh another child reported back that the exams were quite easy. He didn’t get into the really tough schools. Basically, it’s just a case of waiting now. 🍷

Just had an email saying uniform or casual for Hampton interview. What do people think is best?

@Academi thank you for giving us all hope!
@SallyGardener do you mind me asking whether the interview invitation is for 11+ or 13+? Am trying to understand when we might hear something.

@ttbn 11+, we had clear communication before the exam on when we would get results (16 dec) and the interviews are this week. I don't know the 13+ process but maybe check the info they sent you?

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did your son get in to Hampton?

We have an offer at Hampton. To be honest I never focused too much on cat scores. When we did the assessment the first time (which may have been Y4 I can’t quite remember) they were variable with full mark in reasoning but just over 100 in maths. They moved around a lot since and while reasoning is still strong it was never again (that I remember) full marks and maths is my DS’ strongest subject. I don’t remember what recent scores were. While they definitely assessed in school I can’t see that it was ever quoted on reports.

I recommend lots of Atom Learning practice to ensure familiarity with the mains tests and some separate work on creative writing and use of flowery language.

Did your son get an offfer in the end?

Sadly not. We also declined to sit at 12+. I would rather DS is somewhere that really wants him.