11 plus- how do you feel about it now it's nearly all over?

[deaddei]

Ds has 2 tests looming over the next month for uber selective grammar schools. We can't wait for the mass bonfire of the Bond papers. But we have to be realistic....there will be up to 2000 boys applying for those 140 places, many of whom will have been tutored long and hard over the last year.
I have got to the point where I really can't be arsed with it anymore- he doesn't have a burning desire to go to either of them, and fancies the local improving comp.9where he will probably go, and I'd be very happy)
I have a feeling he could deliberately flunk the tests, and tbh don't care.
What are your feelings now it's nearly all over?

No replies- are you all busy tutoring?

Kent is all done & dusted, tests sat in September, results in October, SCAF forms in last week, places awarded in March and appeals start then....... ask again in March
LOL

I feel the same as you deaddei. I am fed up with the whole process and am increasingly looking at the nearest school and thinking "that'll be fine".
6 months ago was a completely different story, I was was all fired up, obsessive and focused. I think because the time is getting closer, and I realise there's little we can do now to improve scores more than a point or two, I am just accepting that its a bit of a lottery as to whether he gets through.
Some schools have started already, but DS has exams for others until January so ages to go for us.
yawn....

It's not a lottery. GS exams are selective not on academic ability as such but as the basis of children who can bear endless repetition of mindless VR and NVR tests _ GS cream skim kids who are fairly systematic (robotic?) in terms of technique, speed and not easily bored.

Yes I know how the system works. I have a dd who has already gone through the grammar system and come out the other end.
But for ds2 it is a bit of a lottery as to whether he gets in or not, dependent on multiple factors and some luck of the draw.

I too will be absolutely relieved once it is all over... DS really enjoys the practice papers and tests and is still keen to go. Like Newweeknewname it will come down to how he is on the day. If he gets agitated by the crowds then it could be game over if he starts ticcing. Both the GS we have applied to have been more than helpful but obvioudly can only do so much to help.

MsDav - if it makes you feel any more confident, ds1 has tourette's and was absolutely fine during his entrance exams - I had no idea how he'd cope as at the time he wasn't very good with crowds (well, he's still not, but getting better )

I made sure the schools were aware of his condition and how it might manifest itself, gave them my mobile number and hovered in the area of the school in case I needed to get him out of there in a hurry, but none of that was needed

good luck to your ds

Thanks Mimsmum, It does help to hear that! The schools have been pretty understanding, he is sitting it in a quieter room etc..

Good to hear your DS was fine,

fingers crossed

Zanzibarmum - are you suggesting that GS children are robotic? because Iwas one and I take exception to that - or is it sour grapes?