7+ prep

[Puddlemuck]

Hi all,

My DD is a bright and bubbly 7 year old.

We're moving in the new year and have arranged for her to sit a 7+ exam at a west London private girls' school (a GDST school).

How much preparation is needed for a 7+ exam and what should we expect? It seems as though the exam will cover reading comprehension, creative writing, maths and verbal reasoning. Should we explain exam technique and time preparation or is that overkill? Is it massively competitive?

DD is working well beyond her year level in English and is working at the expected level in maths.

We have a viable fallback option if she doesn't get into the girls' school. I want to give her the best chance of doing well but am not prepared to make her misery in an effort to get her in.

Thanks!

It would help if you could name the school but I'm guessing it's Wimbledon High or Putney High. Yes of course you need to prepare her and set practice exam papers from 7plus books. Many of the dc at preprep schools have been preparing since the summer and have already sat entrance exams at schools like LEH. You need to have finished the year 2 curriculum too in terms of maths. spelling and telling the time.

It depends on the target school how much of the curriculum they need to cover in the exam but most academically selective schools are at least 1 year ahead of the national curriculum across the board.

Familiarity with the exam format is always beneficial and doesn’t need to be stressful.

There are plenty of schools that are mixed ability though where entry is relatively straightforward.

Thanks! The school is Notting Hill & Ealing High School (junior school). Can I get the prep books from large bookstores or are they just available online?

DD is currently in a prep school so they are running ahead of the state curriculum.

Sorry for asking stupid questions - I was educated in Australia and the system here in the UK is very different.

OP I’d suggest finding an online tutor who has specific experience of getting children into that exact school, and ask their advice on how best to prepare.

If you are in the prep system you are probably fine as she will have been taught ahead of the national curriculum and is use to taking tests. Yes you can buy the books in WHSmith as well as Amazon. Best of luck.

@Puddlemuck @LondonGirl83 @sailingsunshine @Oher what happens at stage 2? What does group problem solving activity entail? What math games, puzzles, PE, what actions are they disqualifying? What games to buy and practice?

Hi @Razzmata may I suggest you start a new thread? You’ve clearly got lots of questions regarding a number of schools and I’m sure the lovely posters on this board would be happy to answer them

Hi. A quick message, a few days ago came across an email for a free webinar about all things St. Paul's Juniors exams. Then got an email after a day that it was fully booked. PrepPlus is doing it. Might be worth joining their mailing list. Our son in SPJ now and we did join their specialist SPJ courses.. were helpful..sorry for not being able to share on time but sure if requested by many, they could or should arrange another session.