Who perform better later on? 7+ and 8+ entrants of top schools

[SuperWorried]

I wonder whether there's any comparison done between the 7+ and 8+ entrants to those top preps (WUS/CC/KCS etc)? I was told most(if not all) 8+ entrants actually tried but failed to get in the same school at 7+. So a year later when they do manage to get into the school competing against the same bunch of 7+ kids again, how will they fare? The outcome directly relates to a practical question: If my DS fails in getting in at 7+ next summer, is it still worth trying at 8+ knowing he may not be at the same level as those who succeeded a year early?

Some of the 8+ entrants have tried 7+ and failed -- and it can be due to many reasons. Maturity, amount of prep, nerves, etc. So, failing at 7+ should not stop you trying 8+. Also - some kids don't do well at 7/8+, they are just not ready, but grow up and work hard and do great at 11/13+. So - do not despair!

For the same reasons - do not worry who your son would be "competing against". If he is accepted, he must be ready to be at the school.

Thanks MMmomKK. Putting DS into the grueling 7+ exam in coming months is already a big stress for the parents. If he is not successful this time (which is quite likely given what's been written in this forum and the fact I'm reluctant to follow other tiger mums' military style regime of preparing the innocent DS), I am not sure whether I will have the courage to ask DS trying again a year later at 8+. Hence the original question. I know DS will be going against other tutored-to-teeth boys (and some of whom will be already naturally gifted) at both 7+ and 8+. This made me SuperWorried. It's true we should really be concentrating on ourselves, but it's hard to ignore what's happening around the ever changing education landscape. Feels like the 7+/8+ is becoming a battle field like 11+.