Dulwich College / Atom learning

[Mountaintopp]

I was wondering if anyone with recent experiences of prepping for DC 11+ entry using Atom learning could offer any insight? According to Atom my son is 'on track' (just) according to their successful applicant benchmarking. However, when I look at the different aspects of the entrance exams, his performance varies above and below this benchmark. Can anyone indcate what kind of standardised age scores he should be aiming for in the different online tests (English, Maths, VR and NVR) in order to be a successful applicant? What balance of results in the differnt areas are they looking for (i.e. can you be a little lower in one area but make up for this elsewhere?). Also, can anyone shed any light on the problem solving and creative comprehension and the best way to prepare for these?

Honestly I would speak to a tutor with DC experience. My boys went there but it’s a few years since they did the exam. I’m afraid I’m no help to you with regard to those questions. FWIW both boys were very happy there.

@Radiatorvalves thanks. I hae a tutor for the written and maths but I'm a bit skeptical about their ability to help with the creative comprehension and puzzle solving assessments. I may need to look for some other help.

You don't need help with that part if they are doing well in the other parts. I have had two dc go through the 11+ in the last 3 years. One is at G&L and the other at Latymer (but passed Dulwich). They both did not prepare at all for the creative comprehension or the puzzle component. We just focused on the English, math, verbal and nvr. If your dc are capable of getting good scores in those sections, they will figure out the creative comprehension and puzzle component on their own just fine.

Apologies if this is too late for the OP.

The only prep my son (state primary) did 2 months of Atom. I didn't have the money to pay for the extra packages (and there wasn't much time) so no creative comprehension and puzzle packages added.

I got him to do the practice on the DC website to familiarise him with the format as well as to help him write the creative writing in the time limit (something I thought he'd struggle with as he can get carried away with the fairies when it comes to creative tasks).

Happily he has been offered an interview.