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Original poster

7+ exams 2024

325 replies

Pokemomm · 10/07/2023 06:23

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?

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Tipsyandtom123 · 27/11/2023 09:43

Caps1974 · 27/11/2023 09:41

@Tipsyandtom123 Thank you, I would assume most were problem solving Maths questions....they say on their website that children need to be at Year 2 level, but I doubt it's calculations, more like problems with 2 calcs needed to get the answer.

I was told there were only 3 word problems. He might be completely wrong.

W4mamabear · 27/11/2023 09:59

Will we know results of SPS first round today?

Caps1974 · 27/11/2023 10:11

Tipsyandtom123 · 27/11/2023 09:43

I was told there were only 3 word problems. He might be completely wrong.

Show quote history

Interesting....curious why so many found it hard. Anyway....good luck all who are waiting on the results today.

Mamamama1234 · 27/11/2023 11:46

So 12 questions worth 29 points probably means there were a lot of questions which had several sub questions. So really 29 questions in total?

Tipsyandtom123 · 27/11/2023 14:03

W4mamabear · 27/11/2023 09:59

Will we know results of SPS first round today?

I think so. Still waiting…

Pbhar · 27/11/2023 14:22

It’s a no for us. SPJ said in the email that DS was placed in upper middle quarter and just missed interview.

Caps1974 · 27/11/2023 15:12

Pbhar · 27/11/2023 14:22

It’s a no for us. SPJ said in the email that DS was placed in upper middle quarter and just missed interview.

They must have had roughly 400 applicants and your DS was in the 101-200 quarter. Not sure how much chance the boys who are in the 60 to 100 group? Does a boy who is ranked, say, 90th have a chance? Wish they gave us proper parameters.

Nightlite888 · 27/11/2023 15:22

ds invited to interview at spj but no indication of how he performed on the tests….

Caps1974 · 27/11/2023 15:26

Nightlite888 · 27/11/2023 15:22

ds invited to interview at spj but no indication of how he performed on the tests….

Congratulations. They will tell you (if you ask) at the parent interview.

Nightlite888 · 27/11/2023 15:32

@Caps1974 thank you!
if you know what they want from parents at the parent interview, please feel free to share tips!

Caps1974 · 27/11/2023 15:44

@Nightlite888 We are doing it next year, but from reading previous threads I believe it's a casual chat for 5 mins.....the head has been known to tell parents their position....but just a general chat I believe. Good luck with the interview.

W4mamabear · 27/11/2023 17:08

We didn’t get SPS unfortunately and scored much lower in maths than expected. Just curious: does everyone get told they are ‘in the middle band of boys who sat the exams this year, we would be happy for you to reapply for a place at 8+’ ?

just trying to plan if worth trying again in just a years time or waiting now for 11+

Caps0218 · 27/11/2023 18:07

W4mamabear · 27/11/2023 17:08

We didn’t get SPS unfortunately and scored much lower in maths than expected. Just curious: does everyone get told they are ‘in the middle band of boys who sat the exams this year, we would be happy for you to reapply for a place at 8+’ ?

just trying to plan if worth trying again in just a years time or waiting now for 11+

My understanding is that boys who don’t make the next stage are told their quartile.

Linda20019 · 27/11/2023 19:16

I have private messaged you

Linda20019 · 27/11/2023 19:39

I have private messaged you

Linda20019 · 27/11/2023 19:40

Sorry double message

Pbhar · 27/11/2023 21:16

True.. would like to understand their grading system and whether it’s worth going through 8+

Akshu83 · 27/11/2023 21:22

What is the expectation on creative writing in Stage 2 of the SPJ process? Will they be given a story / letter / etc.? Can anyone who has done this in the past please advise on what to expect? Are there any other aspects of preparation required for Stage 2 of SPJ? Thanks!

Original poster
Pokemomm · 27/11/2023 21:26

We got a no also. I actually thought the email was very helpful, ds was upper middle and just missed out on interview.

My feeling is that it is very challenging to move from state system to private. We only started prep work this summer which with hindsight was a little late.

Lots of luck to all of those with interviews, those boys are real troupers!

OP posts:
Caps0218 · 27/11/2023 22:35

@Pokemomm well done to your DS for getting to the second stage of Kings, especially coming from State. We are doing it next year….none of the boys at our school have got through to second round of any of the 3 and this is a pre- prep….although the top 3 schools are very hard.
im sure your DS will find the right school for him.
we have this stress next year :)

redrobin75 · 27/11/2023 22:44

Akshu83 · 27/11/2023 21:22

What is the expectation on creative writing in Stage 2 of the SPJ process? Will they be given a story / letter / etc.? Can anyone who has done this in the past please advise on what to expect? Are there any other aspects of preparation required for Stage 2 of SPJ? Thanks!

If you search MN for the thread called 7+ WUS and SPJ 2022 and then find the posts from 3 Dec 2022 it outlines last years content.

Akshu83 · 27/11/2023 23:06

redrobin75 · 27/11/2023 22:44

If you search MN for the thread called 7+ WUS and SPJ 2022 and then find the posts from 3 Dec 2022 it outlines last years content.

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@redrobin75 I am unable to locate the 2022 thread with the SPJ information. SPJ 2022 is not yielding any relevant threads. Would you be able to direct me please? Thanks!

ash90603 · 28/11/2023 07:48

Ours cleared Stage 1 as well and we are now preparing for Stage 2 .. From what we know, there will be a number of class room based activities both individual and group based. For example, short piece of writing is an individual task and is usually a picture based descriptive or story writing, quick fire mental maths or arithmetic is normally done in groups but you never know. Along with Maths snd English, there will be a few classroom activities for teamwork and collaboration skills. Parents talk with Headmaster is normally a simple short snd sweet chit chat. We know this info as our son sat some specialised courses for SPJ prep and they prepped us accordingly. All the best everyone .. almost the end .. YAYYYYY 😅

Pbhar · 28/11/2023 08:21

Caps0218 · 27/11/2023 18:07

My understanding is that boys who don’t make the next stage are told their quartile.

Show quote history

Yes, they did say that DS was in upper middle quarter and that puts him in middle band. I guess there are 3 bands.. upper middle and lower.

Pbhar · 28/11/2023 08:24

Pokemomm · 27/11/2023 21:26

We got a no also. I actually thought the email was very helpful, ds was upper middle and just missed out on interview.

My feeling is that it is very challenging to move from state system to private. We only started prep work this summer which with hindsight was a little late.

Lots of luck to all of those with interviews, those boys are real troupers!

Same situation here too, we are in pvt school but don’t think it helped much. I guess the preparation needs to be quite intense and we hugely underestimated 7+.