Pre-tests for entry at 11 plus

[ClifftopCafe]

Looking at independent selective girls schools (boarding) at 11.

Find that those schools we are interested in generally offer a pre-test that you do not need to prepare for (apparently tests cognitive ability) and general suitability for boarding (stamina, sportiness, musical talent matter too).

Anyone any experience of this? We are at a state primary, do those at feeder Preps etc really not do any academic preparation with these tests in mind?

Just trying to get a feel and make sure and if we really don't do anything much that the playing field will be level. I understand it would be foolhardy to over prepare as you want the school to be right for the child and to enable them to thrive. Schools themselves have not been too forthcoming on what the academic component may be but I suspect: NVR, Maths, English and VR? Puzzles?

(This is just the first step, if successful DD will have to do CE at 11 or school's own paper in January of Y6 but as I see it & from what schools have said this is just a formality if she gets in on pre-test)?

Any tips appreciated. Also if these pre-tests really are such a good gauge of academic suitability why don't grammar schools etc adopt a similar procedure? Might stop the tutoring arms race etc a bit?

I'm not sure which schools/pre-tests you're talking about, but I know my niece did the pre-test online for SPG and passed, then did the actual exam and passed, but didn't get in at interview.

So no, not necessarily just a formality.

SPG is ridiculously competitive though, I know those who are just incredibly outstanding in every regard who didn't get into SPG. Your niece is in good company but that must have been a bit of a blow to say the least. Their loss. Hope she's happy now wherever she went.

Pre-tests seem to be in vogue now for many of the boarding schools, Eton etc. I am interested to know whether much active prep goes on for these untutorable IQ tests?

I've never heard of pre-testing at 11+ entry ISEB 11+ exam isn't really CE. But I suppose could be used in a similar way.

When is the pre-test, do they make conditional offers (like CE system)? If it's just an additional competitive exam, then it just looks like a source of stress. Is it your only candidate school?

I think it's more of a broad gauge of suitability than a formal offer situation. I think some schools have a low pass mark at ISEB 11+ but a difficult IQ type pre-test e.g. Wycombe Abbey, Eton and Sevenoaks (I think). Epsom College (although not boarding) also has a computerised type exam at 11 plus I believe. So it's all won or lost on the pre-test. These seem to be on the increase? Surely negates some of the whole point of a Prep education at all if it's all increasingly decided on raw IQ for the top ranking schools?

I think the pre-test is a differentiator - they assume all will be able but this sorts out those that might benefit best from an academic environment.

It is called Common Entrance at 11+, only in 3 subjects though, English, Maths and Science. Not ever found a school that uses it for entrance that we feed to, but we do use the tests internally for our Yr 6 childrenl

Just to add Eton's exam will be for entry at 13.

Trinity, what do the schools use for entrance that you feed to or do you mean they enter via CE at 13 +?

CliffTop - the process you describe is for girls schools entry at 11+. Do not confuse it with the boys schools' pre test for entry at 13+. The girls go along to their chosen school for a taster day - do a few tests (school dependant - some will be computerised, others written - depends where you are looking), probably a group exercise, interview etc. They will interact with the other candidates and the girls already at the school. Some also offer overnight taster days to try out boarding (although it's only for one night). They then get a conditional offer, have to have a good Heads report and have to pass the ISEB 11+ papers in Jan in English, Maths and Science OR take the schools own entrance exams. Girls can only be entered for one ISEB examining school. Each school will have its own passmark.

Boys often do pre-tests in year 6 or 7 which is a combination of computer test (or written depending on the school), interview and Head's report. They then get a conditional offer subject to passing the ISEB 13+ exam in June of yr8 in Maths (2 papers, plus one mental), English (2 papers), Science (3 separate papers), History, Geography, RS, French. Latin is optional as is Spanish. There are harder levels for maths and latin - some schools will demand the top level in these papers and each school has its own passmark, often required in every paper if it is a selective school.

In each case the Head of the Prep school should have guided you to schools that match your childs ability so that the process is stress free (that's the theory!).

Epsom would be for 13+ too.

Thanks, Jokebook. That's very helpful and clear.

How much of a cull typically goes on post girls school pre-test? How 'difficult' are they to pass? We are coming from a State Primary so working with the schools concerned alone. They are telling me not to prepare at all just for DD to read widely and that they are looking for passion and eagerness to learn. What will those at Preps be doing if anything? Will they just be working towards CE at 11 and assume all will go well at pre-test if they have the requisite ability and are a good fit (in head's view ) for school concerned?

If a prep school is 11+ only it crams to the hilt for the entrance tests at usual destination schools. If 13+ less so as the pre-tests are more about familiarity with the type of question than demonstrable ability which comes at 13+/CE. afaik none the schools in our part of SE pretest for 11+ entry or use 11+ CE, they tend to set their own entrance test and interview.

It might be called CE at 11+, but it is usually used as a competitive exam by schools who do not set their own papers. Unless the schools are genuinely pre-testing all candidates (when?) and then making offers conditional on reaching a specified mark at 11+ (ie all will pass at that point). So, yes, a conditional offer is an offer, and if exam is used like CE (not like typical 11+ competitive) then there should be no surprises at the qualifying exam.

OP: when do the schools you are looking at pre-test and make conditional offers?