Has anyone done the 7+ exams at private schools?

[DizzyLizzie]

I want to switch my DS from a state primary to a private school and I'm looking at preparing him for 7+ exams. He just finished year 1. It seems insane that 6 year olds should be forced to sit 2-3 sets of 40 minute exams, but I'm at the end of my rope with his state school and it seems impossible to switch him to another decent state school. Is tutoring really necessary or can I do it myself?

How academic and selective is the private school?
I would get the Bond papers , especially the NVR: You can get them at WHS, other bookshops, or online; and see how she gets on with them at home first before considering the need for a tutor.

Sorry - duff link. Try this:
try this Enter a search for title "7-8" and it will come up with the First Bond Papers, which are the ones you need.
HTH
R

Depends on the school. We found some offered places without any written assessment at 7+ entry. If it is a very competitive entry for the school it might be more formal an assessment. Ds' did one but it was a very basic one - a short comprehension, continue a story, and a page or so of maths problems, all within an hour. The Bond's Starter Assessment papers would give you some similar examples or any KS1 exam booklets, available from Ottakers, Amazon and WH Smiths. You can download some examples from that site. Personally I don't think tutoring is necessary at this age.

Do they really make them sit exams for entrance? DD did a day in her class to be and they assessed her on that Cannot believe they make such tinies sit still for that amount of time.

My dd moved at Yr. 3 and ds at Yr. 4 and the most they did was informal tests and an interview. It was from private school to private school - shows there's no such thing as perfect