8+ preparation materials (SPJ, KCS, WU etc)

[Doublekids]

I just start to prepare which is admittedly a bit late. We are going through the CPG Year 3 workbooks and the CPG 7-8 years old practice books (Math, Eng, VR, NVR) which are quite manageable. But would these be too easy for 8+ of these schools. What materials would you suggest.

I also bought some EPP (exam paper plus) 8+ papers and I found these so much more difficult. In fact I also bought one pack of SPJ mock papers from EPP and I found these even more difficult than the other EPP 8+ papers. I haven't asked DS to do it yet as I am sure as of now, he would score fall less than half the marks.

For those been through it, are the EPP papers good indication of the level of difficulties for 8+? Are they useful?

In fact, I have an elder DS who had been through 11+ and we had bought some EPP papers for him at the time. We found them a bit more difficult than the actual exams of most senior schools, but not too off the mark for some. So wondering if the EPP papers are useful for 8+.

I think if you search the 7plus and 8 plus threads from last year you will see EEP is not a realistic option.

We went through this process a couple of years ago and found EPP resources helpful. Anecdotally, many others were using them too. We also used CGP and Bond books.

More generally, I think the key thing to remember when doing 7+/8+ is that you don’t actually have to score that highly or answer all the questions to do well. So it’s useful to work on exam technique so your child knows not to spend too much time on one question or get thrown off by the difficulty level.

If memory serves, my son was scoring around 70% or so in practice papers before the exams and made it through at SPJ and King’s. I think King’s mentioned in feedback that the passmark in the actual exam was low 70s.

The other thing to remember for SPJ is that you need to get a minimum score in every subject to qualify for interview. I believe it was top half. So it’s not a case of taking a pure average of scores to calculate who makes it through. Might be worth checking with them though as I’m not sure they still do this.

Good luck!

I know of an excellent tutor if anyone wants to know their details DM me.

Yes, EPP materials are useful - they tend to be on the more difficult side, but are good practice. In general, 8-9 would be a better benchmark for the level of attainment. You don't need to score 100%, but hugh 80s, low 90s would be a good benchmark.

@FriendlyMom Do you mean CGP Ages 8-9 practice books? Are all the 4 books (Math, Eng, VR, NVR) useful?

@tennissquare Thanks, I had looked through. The what resources would you suggest?

Yes CGP is a good series for practice. Shofield&Sims mental maths is also a good one.

For CGP, are the GL series or CEM series more suitable for 8+ for the above schools? Especially VR and NVR. Are the 8-9 years series enough? Need to go higher?

Hi, will bond books 9-10 years be ok. thanks.

@user081956 Bond books are too easy for SPJ, W etc. You can do EPP papers 8+ and CGP 9-10 or 10-11 (starting at 8-9 and aiming to reach this level by October).

I am a tutor and my students who have got through have been doing Maths at a 11+ level and English at least at 9-10. Interview is very important for SPJ so I would think about building up interests and skills towards this as well.

We used https://www.kizara.uk to supplement the bond books, for some focus on areas our DS needed some extra practice in. Luckily got an offer from our top choice last year and took it!

I can't believe for one second that in order to get in to the top schools at 8+ you need to be doing maths at 11+ level, that's year 6. I think the most you need is year 4 level maths for 8+.

If your DC can practice at 9+ level comfortably before the written exam then the odds are pretty good.

To whom might be interested, Latymer upper has spaces for the entry to Y4 in September 2024, if anyone stilling trying you might want to contact the school! :)

Thank you Moeyland, I spoke to Latymer last week about it and they had none, is that fresh this week status? Btw-very kind of you to share that.

Very welcome just thought might still be useful for families who are still looking to move their children.

I think the exam will be on the 2nd May, maybe try to call them again on Monday morning?

Yes people started to sign up from end of March... then some get confirmation just under a week later, some about 10days...

We must have missed that one as they said no occasional places at the moment - they probably closed the registration. But will try again next week-see if they can take us. Just to confirm- that's for 7+ lvl with intake this September? Thank you for information and sharing!

That's for pupil currently in Y3, and going into Y4 in September 2024.

Ah ok, we are Y2, need to go to Y3 this September. That's explains it then. But thank you anyway -will keep an eye on it for the next year.

@alquora hi how's ur prep going? Any tutor contacts u can pm me plz?