Common Entrance Maths help needed

[flossflo]

Can anyone recommend a good CE maths textbook to use over the Easter holidays ?

There's one called "So you really want to learn Maths Prep" by Serena Alexander. It comes in two volumes - vol 1 covers 11+, the second volume takes it further.

I've no idea whether it's what you need. but it's a suggestion, to get the ball rolling.

I would imagine that that is their class text book, cherry.

The curriculum should be the same as the National Curriculum KS3, so any SATs revision book should be fine.

Floss - if school is still in session, ask for their help. They will probably send home a couple of past papers to keep him ticking over.

Thanks both of you. My son moved from the state to independent sector in Year 7 and just has so many holes in his knowledge ( I'm really struggling too!) eg internal and external angle questions on polygons. I,ve got the ISEB Maths revision book but it's a bit too brief. Might have to fork out for the So you really want to learn one although you have to buy the answer book separately!

flossflo - would be interested to hear more about the gaps in knowledge, as my ds is also moving to independent later this year (year 7 entry).

He was tutored in maths to get him through the exams, but I guess he will still be behind the others in September (especially as he now no longer goes for tutoring).

Also, where there other areas where the difference between state and independent were very obvious?

2009, if your son is moving into an 11+ senior school, he should be fine with the transition. The schools will be set up for entry from primary schools as well as preps.

I think that Floss' DS must be in a prep school that goes up to 13+ if he is doing the CE course. Basically, there, they either ignore the KS2/KS3 division, or finish up the KS2 course by Christmas of Y6 (if they have girls doing the 11+). They also finish the KS3 course by the end of Y8.

I would say that the school should really have covered any gaps early in Y7. My DS1 joined his prep school in Y7 and spent the first half-term catching up and then he was fine. He didn't do Latin, so used that time for the catch-up lessons.

Typically the areas where primary school children can be behind is in French, Latin if offered, practical Science, Art, Music, Drama, and Games (basically the subjects where prep schools have specialist teaching). It really shouldn't take long to catch up though, and the school should give the appropriate help (that is what you are paying for).

DS1 is moving into Y7 of a prep school this September and they've arranged French and Latin classes on Saturdays in the summer term this year to help boys catch up a bit with those subjects. It wasn't suggested that maths would be a problem, but 'a period of adjustment' for all subjects was mentioned. Frankly I assume since they've selected the children on the basis of maths, English and VR tests that they think they'll make up lost ground quickly enough.

my sons school did not use a text book for CE maths. Basically, there isn't one, they are not following the NC. The school should have there own revision sheets and piles of past papers applicable to whichever school he is trying for. Ask the school it is there job. His maths teacher had written her own booklet which covered each topic with sample questions and answers. Please hassle the maths teacher about this - you are paying!

If they are doing the ISEB CE examination, they are pretty much following the National Curriculum KS3. You can check the concepts they cover on the ISEB website - the specifications are all there.

Given that ISEB follows the NC, any KS3 Sats revision guide will be helpful, along with websites such as BBC Bitesize. These kinds of books are designed for solo use, rather than class textbooks.

Some senior schools set their own tests, but they are very similar to CE and certainly have the same examination specification. It is only really Scholarship that deviates from any kind of standard.

I still think that if he is genuinely behind, it is the school who should pull him up to standard.

Sorry I've taken so long to get back to you all. Thanks for your comments. Problem is, DS won a sports scholarship to school and whilst they've done wonders getting him up to standard with most subjects , he is still very insecure on the topics covered in prep schools in Year 5 and 6 ie angles within triangles, adding fractions etc which are not really touched on in state schools. He was never brilliant at maths anyway and the teaching at the state school was very average so he's had to try to catch up 2 years whilst covering new topics which are built on the foundations he doesn't have!
2009 - depending on your child, be prepared for many holes !

I'm sure there will be holes, and in DS1's case, definitely in sport - he has most emphatically not won a sports scholarship! Well done to your son!

However, on the maths front, DS1 has done both angles within triangles and adding, multiplying, and dividing fractions etc, so at least those are two topics he won't have to worry about.

Have you looked at www.ceeme.co.uk ?
This website was really good for common entrance revision. They also sell revision guides and practice papers.

The AE education books are useful

www.aetuition.co.uk/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=28

Hope the link works!

Daddyt - I have just realised this is a massively old thread. Are you advertising?