7+ exams at Westminster, Habs, St. Paul's

[Biw]

I haven't noticed a 7+ thread for the ultra competitive schools this year and thought I'd start one - rather late, I know!! My son is a very clever but unassuming little fellow, comfortably in the top 5 of children in his year group despite being A relatively young June baby. Our head suggested he sits the 7+. I have been supporting him myself with Bond books and recently having a go at past papers online from the schools who publish them!

My biggest concern is Westminster. As we've never hired a tutor and they don't publish sample papers I have no idea what the exams entail and what level it is pitched. At this point I am hoping some mums who have been through the exams can come to my rescue and share any information just so my son knows what to expect on the day! E.g. For the composition and comprehension paper how much time is given? I heard Kings College (unfortunately too far south for us) gave them only 20 minutes to write a whole story! Any other info on the maths and reasoning paper would be very gratefully received. Also is there some kind of activity e.g. Art they do on exam day?

For habs my son found the sample papers very easy. Is it really representative of the real thing?

Thank you so much for your help.

Emails are out - we're not back for interview.

No for us but it's kind of expected! Good luck to all boys who are through to the next round.

So got the email of no ? I have no email yet...does my mail agent gone wrong...

Yes, got email. Good luck to you Isabella.

I still haven't heard anything.....

Do not too worry. We just got the yes. And no is not mean not good enough and boys will have chance for tge rest as well. All the luck for all boys.

Just got the email now and we are thankfully one of the lucky ones! Good luck to you all too!

Oh well done to your boys! For those of you with successful boys, did you do a lot of prep with them or the school dealt with it mostly? I am thinking that we probably entered into this process a bit naively especially from a state primary background. I hope my DS haven't done too badly although he hasn't been chosen obviously.

Because he is in aprivate but not prep school . We give him a bit exercise at home.

My boy is in a private school but they don't do much prep for exams, so I did it mostly at home with him. Mainly over the school holidays I would go through Bond papers etc as he's always been too tired after school. He also sat some mock exams which I found very insightful.

Tough waiting from yesterday afternoon till its dark today....wish everyone lucky and get what boys dream school.

Well done everyone. My son has been invited to an interview which is actually a half day at the school. 50/50 chance now. Good luck!

Does any boy mentioned they ran in vincent yard at examing day...

Yes my son said the same.

Did anyone do Latymer yesterday? There were so many people! It was really overwhelming!

Well done to Biw son, and everyone who attempted (takes a lot, really to do just that!)/got called bk to interview! Can someone please elaborate "how" difficult the tests were (westminster)? Biw you mention "mean division sums" & doubling sums? Could you possibly elaborate more so others like myself can gauge level required for these tests? My DS coming from private yet non-prep school, and may feel uneasy if not knowing level of skill reqd when sitting test, as we have not gone 'tutor-route' & attempted just Bond and specimen papers. TIA to your/any insight.

dixie2010,

Our son sat the Latymer exam. And yes of the schools we've been to so far that exam day felt a bit messy. Have you heard back from them yet?

Swift 16, not heard anything as yet! First interview date is Thursday so I thought we would all hear by today but not the case! Think tmrw will be the day. 7plus mum from last year said they gave her one day notice for interview....

Oh dear! Glad i'm not alone in the dark!
Best of luck and thank you for your reply!

Hi how had the boys doing today?After seeing a group about one third to half of boys from the same school wearing same uniform I get bit nervous don't know why...
Hope all kids get best luck!

Yes, my son being interviewed right now. He looked so nervous and overwhelmed, poor boy. Waiting to go inside myself with hubby soon. Just got good news re Latymer and he has got interview. That will hopefully boost my boy after this!

Congrats and good luck today. Still not heard so assuming we aren't in the first batch.

Bit sad when hear him said there is test all about new word meaning explaination which is his most weak point...
Will not success mosxtly then...

Anyone at St Paul's today? Seeing the same uniforms as at Westminster. DS had a quick wobble at the number of people on drop off but the older boys came over and cheered him up quickly.

The word game pack Westminster gave out is quite good fun if you've not tried it yet - would probably help on the new word meanings.

DS is at St Paul's this morning. He's only done KCS as well and there looked like many more at St Paul's. Can't imagine how he'll get on, whether the numbers will faze him or not?

It was helpful to find out how quickly they'll turn the papers/interview invites around, and for anyone who didn't hear, it'll be done alphabetically from Tuesday to Friday, 80 boys in groups of 5, everyone will be sent a letter on Sat saying if they've got an interview or not, and those with surnames near the beginning of the alphabet (Tues interviews) will be phoned as well ... from this evening. That's not us though!