Jigsaw ability at 4+ assessments. Crucial or not?

[Jigsawmadness]

Hi all, I'm new to mumsnet and would really appreciate some advice. I have entered DD1 (3) for the 4+ assessment at a couple of girls' schools in Guildford which will take place later this year. Everything I have read suggests that she is likely to be tested on her ability to do jigsaws. My problem is that DD1 absolutely hates jigsaws and getting her to sit and do one is like pulling teeth - she has no interest in doing one on her own and will only do one with me or DH very reluctantly (involving bribery with chocolate)! She knows how to do one; she just hates them. She is otherwise bright (I think and so say her pre-school teachers). She is very articulate and converses well with adults, can count well, knows most of her letters, can write her name, knows some phonics, good at drawing, very interested in the world etc etc. However, is her dislike of jigsaws likely to completely scupper her chances of passing these 4+ tests since she's unlikely to do one on her own in the test? Any experience greatly appreciated!

Hope the assessment days go well. I think the most important thing you can do is make sure that you DD is looking forward to the day as a fun thing to do - far better chance of best behaviour in most children if they are happy and not apprehensive.

They don't do huge jigsaws but intricate patterns. However, your DD will be whisked off and you won't know what they will do. Good luck. They are looking for potential and they do know what they are doing. Very few girls get rejected from all 3, many of us only have experience of 1 or 2 as its usually GHS, then Tormead, then St Catz in order and stop doing the assessments when we get the school we want! St Catz is a much gentler start to recpetion than GHS but a real step up in year 1, the reverse in GHS and Tormead is in the middle. The right school will choose your DD. Don't let your DD feel your stress. Enthusiasm is what they are looking for.

As I said, you need to get a jigsaw tutor. You'll find all the other children have had them since about 2.....

My five year old will do it for £60 an hour and a chocolate Freddo

Neither of mine, although both high achievers have ever been able to do jigsaws. Doesn't seem to have have held them back.......

Thanks so much for all the helpful posts. I think I am overthinking and stressing about this much too much. I am not applying to St Catz as I don't want DD to attend a school where some are boarders, so for us it's GHS and Tormead. I really liked both of them when we went for a tour, although they were very different, so the decision will be who lets her in (or not).

You need the episode of House where he tries to ingratiate himself with Cuddy re prep school entrance for her daughter...

I have no idea what a 'plastic puzzle' is. That's just what she called it.
As for the phonics, I must disagree with the view that they must know all their 44 sounds. Even the most highly selective schools are primarily looking for potential. So they may choose the non reader over the child who has been reading at home nightly since they were 2.5 esp if they feel that child has been overly prepped. These schools know what they're looking for and are very good at spotting it.
I don't have direct experience of the schools you are looking at but one of my dds sat the 4+ assessments for both Habs and NLCS so my experience is of very highly selective over subscribed schools. DD1 is academically gifted but very stubborn and difficult behaviour wise. I doubt she'd get a place these days despite how highly she attains. Just so you know it's not about creaming off the absolute top, attainment wise.

Re jigsaws the top end would be about 30 pieces. Also it depends on your child's DOB as to what the expectation will be. if your DD doesn't finish a puzzle it's not the end of the world. Try saying 'ok, you don't have to finish the puzzle but let's talk about it instead. If this blue part was finished what do you think it would be? (sea/sky)' Holding a corner piece ask where it may go and you place it for her. Talk about what is happening in the puzzle. Are the people in the puzzle on a beach, park having a picnic?

Forgot to add many Mums can be mean about such posts about 4+ assessments - (no doubt someone will make a smart remark about my typo!) so if you want to PM me I'll be happy to help answer anymore questions you may have.

there was a documentary about 4+ assessments several years ago.What they were looking at was 1) the parents and 2) how easy to engage and how interested the child was.

I never said they had to know every single phonic. They do test them on phonics and so it helps if they know it. The girls school are very good at spotting potential although the school/parents may eventually decide that their child cannot keep up with the pace of the school. Its not much fun being bottom of the class, and they all know even in reception who are the best/worst readers.