7+ exams for Westminster, King's and St. Pauls

[Heist]

Hello Everyone, my son is writing 7+ exams for Westminster, St.Pauls and KCS this year.
My son is preparing for a while now and struggling in English a lot as of now.
Could someone please provide me more insights on the interview and activity tasks that the kids are asked to participate in and how to ace those bits? How could I prepare my son for these bits?
Thanks a lot.

@Eitherway exactly what dh said. Concerned about the calibre of children they'll offer to. We know a few from the school who didn't do well with Kings, SP or even Latymer. And those of them who sat for WUS said the exam was very easy, finished way before time. Fingers crossed.

Maybe they are less concerned if non top students are admitted as next year during 8+, they can get another 22 to mix them up? We are from a state school so sounds like much less chance as the school report may not be much useful compared with those from feeders

I didn’t know WUS had feeder schools. Which are they?

i'd reckon all top schools in the area wetherby nhp hawkesdown falkner thomas' the ilk

An experienced teacher can get a very good idea about a boy during an interview. I personally would prefer a boy from a school that doesn’t prepare for 7+ with all things being equal.

Is WUS sending an email about shortlisted candidates tomorrow?

@Aba1 thought it was the 13th?

Does anyone have an idea what Latymer Prep’s interview might be about?

@Nataly21 my email says second round will happen by 13th January. May be an email might be send out later today.

@Aba1 that's strange because my email says they will inform us wether DS made it through to the second round by 13th.
2nd round assessments will take place on the 18th. Are you asking about the 7+?

@Nataly21 I just crossed checked with the school and there was a typo from their side. It’s the same for 8+ as suggested by you. My son sat 8+.

Not sure anyone has got the email?

I haven’t received the email yet informing either way.

Thought they would inform today?

just came through.

We didn't make it. Good luck to you all

Neither did mine. He isn’t from a prep or feeder school. Wonder what the criteria is as clearly the exam was quite easy.

Neither did our DS for 7+. I was next to him for the Maths and English as we had technical problems and know he got 99% of them right (with absolutely no help - they were just so easy compared to what we had been prepping him for.) So unless he messed up the first test, I can’t see how they differentiated between pupils. Did they invite you to apply again at 8+? Good luck to anyone who did get through though!

@LondonJJ Yes, we have been invited to apply again for 8+. I will come clean and share that my son has been offered a spot at two of the big schools. WUS is a personal preference and we haven't made it, even though the exam was very easy. No clue what the criteria was. He comes from a nonfeeder school.

Yes the 7 plus exam was shockingly easy the Maths and English. My son who did the exam finished it shockingly early too! I have a feeling it’s not the math and English but the reasoning scores plus they may have noticed the time in which kids finished . So let’s say two kids who got 99 they may have looked at who finished earlier? Yes there may be a prep school bias as they would be a safe bet to give an interview.

That’s great @Nataly21 that your DS has offers from other schools. WUS have clearly messed up the process this year. I have some sympathy for them and I’m sure by relying on reports from their usual prep schools (‘feeder’ is probably the wrong term as no one is guaranteed a place) they can ensure they get as strong an academic year as they normally would get. I personally would have preferred them to be honest and not bother with the charade of the test but I’m sure that would have caused more outrage and bad publicity!

@LondonJJ Totally agree. Under the circumstances I would play safe as well and go by feeder school reports if I were in their shoes.

Did anyone here get through to the second round at WUS for 7+?

@Nataly21 yes, my 7+ pupil has been offered an interview on 18th. Head’s ref has been most significant this year. WUS have cross checked references before inviting for second round. Confirmed w registrar this morning. Good luck to all your boys.

@RYFZ Congratulations and all the best for the next round. We will be reapplying next year because I can't imagine continuing the logistical nightmare I'm in for, with either of the other two, for too long. Would be grateful for any feedback on round 2.

What do those with dual offers from spj and kcs prefer if logistics are not a factor? Lots to like about both so it is a hard choice for our DS. We are based in Putney.