7+ exams 2024

[Pokemomm]

Anyone else prepping for the 7+ this year? We are trying to work out how many schools to do exams for. Live in SW London and thinking about SPJS, KCS, WUS and Latymer. Seems like a lot for a 6yo but my understanding is it's best to do a few as their performance on the day May really vary at that age.
What resources are everyone using?

I also have a younger boy and wondering if it's worth doing weekly classes from Reception? Any thoughts? Xx

We did weekly classes with Mentor but only this Autumn ie Autumn of Y2. Dd is in prep school and was given extension work in Y1 so we did prep with her ourselves over the summer and then did weekly classes once Autumn school term began. We found that we were burnt out / exhausted and needed to preserve our relationship with her so decided to outsource. Weekly class was 1- 1 and she responded VERY well.

Ahh I know what you mean! Delegation is everything to preserve the relationship. Good for us parents to have full oversight but also can't do everything! X

Were these group classes out of curiousity? How did you find them?

They were 1- 1 and in person. Bit of a pain on weekends to get 1 child to it but DH ended up enjoying his 2 hour "alone time" in Ole and Steen 🤣

It came recommended from a friend whose 2 kids are in Alleyns (11plus entry for them not 7plus but anyway)

Reception is far too early. Most proper tutors only do from January of Year 1, what I mean by proper tutors, the ones that have group classes and they do then annually, so Jan to December and then again a new year 1 and so on. Reception level parents can do it themselves.

Group classes seem to be the way forward, also prepares them for the assessment with the group activities. Also start to look to book for next year (year 1) as the top tutors get booked up well in advance.

Thanks so much for the advice! Anyone who did 8+ after 7+, what were the biggest pain points for your kids preparation that you would change if you could?

Morning! Is anyone sitting the latymer 7+ test on Tuesday? Feeling so nervous for my DS, he still wastes too much time in getting started with the story/essay! I wonder if they might prompt the children to get going (I highly doubt it!)

I'm super annoyed about tube strikes 😒 we have a plan in place but it's added to the stress!!

Morning! How did Latymer go yesterday? My DS said it was ok, not too easy, not too hard. He managed to finish everything... Let's see

Same for us. DS said the writing task was somethjng about flying but didn't say much else! Think the results are out on Friday so fingers crossed for all!

DD came out happy - saying the maths wasn’t very hard but some money question he wasn’t sure about. For essay I think it was to write a story imagining if you had wings.

Im not holding my breath - his essay writing skills are not the best but I hope the maths will save him, let’s see! Good luck to all of you for Friday

I think the SHHS assessments also finished yesterday, although not sure when results are
out. She said she had fun but when I tried to drill into what happened it didn’t sound she got many answers right whereas the girl in her pair did. Let’s see I guess! So much of this is down to luck on the day.

Doing 8+ after 7+ has been easier (I do think it also depends on the individual child) for me. The biggest pain point is trying to remain calm and disassociate yourself from all the emotions, as a parent. Need to present a positive face to the child, encourage them, celebrate every small success, praise every small effort - which TBH is sometimes difficult as a fully-invested parent. There have been times when I have been ready to tear my hair out and tell me son he'd never be successful but have had to hold my tongue and remain positive. Children respond to positive feedback and less to negative feedback.

So it is really the adult that is the biggest pain point :) Children are happy and innocent.

The biggest change I instituted was to sit with him and work through questions of all subjects atleast once a week. I didnt do that in 7+ but did in 8+ and I got better insights about my son's weak points and was immediately able to help him. We were also very religious about doing all corrections for all papers, together - preferably in a coffee shop - with public around - so I would not lose my temper at really silly mistakes :-D

thank you for all your insights, will be very helpful for us for the next 12 months. I lose my temper easily... How many kids were at 8+ at all three schools this year you think?

I was told between 150-200 at different schools.

Anyone else waiting for Latymer results today?

yes just got the email at 3. Did you get it too?

We got an email also - invited to interview. Hope everyone else got a good outcome too

congrats! 😊us too. Do you know much about the interview?

Congrats to all of you!
It’s a no for us (sorry i got distracted by 11+ news for my older child so didn’t check back on here!)

we will try again at 11+

Good luck to all of you!!

Any idea of how many did Latymer call back?

I don't know but people usually say they invite 2 for every place so 88? I think around 180 sat the exam because my DD said there were 5 rows of 9 desks in her group and I think there were 4 groups assuming they were equally sized

Surprised only 180 sat the exam; perhaps many have received offers at KCJS, SPJS and WUS.

Caps0218 I am not 100% sure. Just a guess based on what my DD said. Do they usually have more than one session for the test?