which are more stressful/difficult : 7 + or 11+ exams?

[RMPM]

I have an August baby. I have to select a school for him. Choices are: (1) prep school, he will sit 7/8+ exams. (2) school that only prepares for 11+

Reading about disadvantaged August babies, is making me wonder whether I should just go for the 11+.

Any advice/comments are most welcome - thanks you

August babies can be disadvantaged because they are so much younger than their classmates (sometimes up to 11 months)

Instead of focusing on the exam aspect- consider what school (and more importantly preschool) will give them the strongest personal, social and emotional foundation. A child who is happy, who can make friends, who can assert themselves & communicate generally has a much easier time being the youngest/smallest. They ask for help when they need it, they cope with change & pressure more readily.

Both exams will be stressful, but if you choose the school that will help him develop his confidence & self esteem as well as academically, the exams will be less of an issue.

StormgirlNZ I am very grateful for your sound advice. I was focusing on my son being an August baby and the exam rather than the in-between. He is a confident and happy child and because of his height (tallest in the class!) he has always been perceived by others as being older (has its advantages and disadvantages). I am going to stick with my gut feeling about a particular school despite some parents pulling children out from there because of high staff turnover (internal politics)

Many thanks once again