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 know you must be disappointed but please don't let your son see it. Just get him focused onto the next exam in the most positive and encouraging manner. The fact that he got an interview invite means he is almost there.

We had a real twist as have been offered a reserve list. I always thought they didn’t do reserve list and only over offered. Given we are not doing any other school it is very disappointing.

Congratulations as there is still chance to get in! Looks they started from rejection letters then...

Given they held their exams earliest, it makes sense to have reserve lists as there will be some parents that prefer WUS/SPJS over King's for whatever reason. My understanding is that they had a small reserve list last year too - please remain hopeful!!!!

@Moonface67 well done to your son, I know it may feel disappointing but there's every chance that the waitlist may move. Will keep fingers crossed for you that it will work out!

It's such hard work for all involved, your son has done incredibly well to even be on the reserve list.

Thank you all for kind words!

@Pokemomm having all my fingers crossed for you for the other two schools

We went through to the second stage at King's College Junior but received a rejection email :( Have St Paul's this Saturday but not holding much hope

Nobody received offers yet...?

Yes agree here. Heard the same about not making it through to Kings but then going on to get offers from St Paul’s. Also agree with the online and face to face classes run by Prepplus. Very nurturing teachers- apt for the challenging content.
Wish you all the very best- pls don’t feel disheartened @Pokemomm , it will all fall in place in the end.

Thanks @Optimistic12 it's good to hear some positive stories and I am not even going to tell DS before the St Paul's exams because he seems fairly oblivious anyway.

Wishing everyone luck for their chosen schools as we all know what a tough selection process it is and how much hard work everyone has done!

We are in the same boat.. went through to the second stage at King's College Junior but received a rejection email today :(
Trying for SPJ this sat.. can anyone please help me with dictation. what is it that they are expecting?

We are in the same boat, rejection after 2nd stage at Kings:( Seems like they may have invited a lot of people to 2nd stage...

@Pbhar I'm not sure what the St Paul's dictation involves. I have assumed they will read sentences a couple of times. Not sure if anyone else knows anything more specific.

We tried doing some of the EPP dictation exercises but it was generally much too fast for my ds.

Someone asked a registrar at our tour and they said it will be a text read out slowly so probably similar to EPP’s second reading. Spelling and punctuation will be important.

@ash90603 do u think this race to SPJ is worth it? Why? At the end of the day they all do GCSEs and Alevels and almost all selective and even good all through ones have good academic rigour. I just want to understand why does everyone think it’s vital to be in the top league ones?

We got a Yes!!! Unbelievable!!!!! We are from State School and had zero support from them during this whole process. Feel like I am a 7+ Pro now after all the jumps and bumps during the last many months 😅🤦‍♀️

Our first preference is St. Pauls though so would give up Kings slot if we get into SPJ. So those on a waiting list, there is good hope you could get bumped up and get a firm offer 🤞🤗

It's a personal preference really.. every child has his / her own learning and development journey and by no means one is better than the other. We saw academic interest and potential in ours so thought to just give it a good shot... we felt that he wasnt challenged enough within his current state school as he was at the top of the required national curriculum.. he started to feel bored... the key reason for us to get on to the 7+ journey.

@ash90603 congratulations! would u be so kind to share all the tips plz? When to start, what resources to use, how many hrs a week, any tutors contacts u can private message, plz share everything u did or learnt along the way!

Congratulations @ash90603 great news for your ds and good luck for St Paul's!

Thanks @Pokemomm and @Moonface67 for sharing the information on SPJ dictation test. I will try and give DS some practice before Saturday.

Feels like it will need a new thread altogether so we can all collate all our learnings and knowledge in one place for those who are / will be starting the journey. What say? I can try and see if I can start a new thread.. xx

Ok bad idea as I am lost now 😅
Cant seem to start a new thread 🤷‍♀️
Anyone knows? Would be easier for new parents to jump straight on to insights / prep advice or our learnings if its a new thread... We struggled soo sooo much to get to the basic info and feel we could give back 🤗🤗🤗🥰🥰

hi all, how did it go for everyone today? Ds says reasoning was not standalone but embedded in other sections which is a little unusual. He hasn’t finished all maths which probably means we’re not through:((

Mine said the comprehension wasn’t very hard and was multiple choice but he said the maths was very tricky and he didn’t do 3/4 questions. I’m not holding my breath for Monday either 😩

Sounds similar to my DS. Said maths was hard and think he was a bit flummoxed by the combined comprehension and NV reasoning. Will see what happens but not holding by breath for Monday either!