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Secondary education

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Original poster

Sitting the 11 Plus without tutoring?

34 replies

MrsWinnibago · 12/05/2014 10:07

Dd is in year 5 and keeps asking if she can sit the 11+. She's definitely bright with her literacy being her strength....I'm obviously a bit of a lax parent as I can't remember her exact levels but she's B something. Her maths isn't quite as strong but has improved a lot this year....I can't afford tuition though.

The tests here are verbal reasoning which if I;m correct could be in her favour as she's particularly good at that sort of thing.

Should I just access some tests online and maybe buy some of those books from WHSmith? Or is it hopeless without a tutor?

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsWinnibago · 12/05/2014 10:10

I did ask her teacher last term if she thought DD was capable and she said "I don't see why not..." Confused

OP posts:
stonecircle · 12/05/2014 10:31

So when you say without tutoring you mean tutoring her yourself rather than paying someone to do it?

Lots of parents tutor their dcs. Different areas administer different types of test of varying degrees of difficulty. To make sure you're using the right practice material, I suggest you look at your area on the Eleven Plus Forum (sounds like Bucks?) where you will get help and advice specific to your dd's requirements.

Original poster
MrsWinnibago · 12/05/2014 10:59

Thank you...not Bucks, Cheshire (for Wirral).

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VestaCurry · 12/05/2014 11:09

If she's in Y5 the presumably she will sit the tests this Sept or Oct. Agree with stonecircle, you need the Eleven Plus Forum and look at your region on there. Areas that administered tests based on verbal reasoning alone have been changing so that the tests are more wide ranging.

Lots of parents tutor their dc's themselves. It can depend on how much time you have available (ie do you work full or part time, how much time is available with your dc after school to study).

The forum is the best place for help and info.

CocktailQueen · 12/05/2014 11:11

We are doing this. Definitely check the Eleven Plus Forum and your area there. There are lists of practice past papers and VR books to buy on Amazon etc that don;t cost too much. You also need to register your dc to take the exam. I've just registered dd.

Original poster
MrsWinnibago · 12/05/2014 11:29

I have had a look at the forum but there doesn't seem to be much advice in real terms for this year...a bit from those who sat September just gone....

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Everhopeful · 12/05/2014 12:54

Have a look at www.chuckra.com or possibly .co.uk, can't remember - lots of online practice there, which will bolster what you get from the Bond books/papers (Amazon, WHS, lots of places sell them, though Amazon is cheapest for papers). Also google "11 plus practice" for others. Practice is key and worth as least as much as tutoring per se. It's also worth putting a request out on Freecycle or similar to see if people have old ones that just need pencil marks rubbing out...

That said, I would put a lot of effort into congratulating your daughter on deciding to have a go at this exam. Depending where you live, the pass mark can be VERY high and they will still only take the ones that do best, going down till they've filled all their places. Round our way, I estimated the pass mark at around 85%, with those who got offers coming in at more like 95%+, so it is necessary to make sure she isn't deflated later if she can't pull it off. So much in the media now is about having succeeded rather than having the courage to just have a try, to a point where, no matter what you do, they can feel a total failure unless they pass.

I really wish her determination (so that she'll do the extra work), maturity and luck (that she can pull it together on the day at age 10/11): I think she's a star to go for it (which you may have to remind her from time to time and be ready in case it still doesn't work after the results come out)!

Law596 · 12/05/2014 12:56

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AElfgifu · 12/05/2014 17:17

I think the idea that paid tutoring is the way into grammar school is a myth.

What works best is a committed parent spending a small amount of time every day going through BOND books/ downloaded papers, whatever is appropriate for the exam in your area. This is 10x more effective than a intensive two hour session with a stranger once a week.

If you are supporting your child yourself, you can just slot the study time into the day in a flexible and personal way.

To be honest, practice only takes you so far anyway. Your child need to become familiar with the format and layout of the questions, and practice enough to become aware of personal pitfalls and strategies. It is a shame when bright children are not given the opportunity to learn how the paper works, but all the tutoring in the world won't get a below average child through, because they won't be able to work out the answers to enough questions, even if they are familiar with the format.

AElfgifu · 12/05/2014 17:19

And I agree with Everhopeful, praise and reward the effort made, and downplay the consequences of the actual result!

TobyLerone · 12/05/2014 17:32

Mine both sat it without tutoring. The one we expected to pass did, and the one we didn't expect to pass didn't. Both are thriving at their respective schools.

Original poster
MrsWinnibago · 12/05/2014 18:23

Toby can I ask you what made you expect the one that passed to pass please? I think DD is certainly determined and competitive about her grades...but is it enough?

Many thanks for all the advice everyone!

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OneInEight · 12/05/2014 18:55

We made a very late decision to put ds1 in for the 11 plus exam and he managed to pass with just a week or so practice using the "How to pass verbal and non-verbal reasoning books" so it can be done. Actually, I think the late application put the pressure off because he knew he was at a disadvantage not having been tutored.

Original poster
MrsWinnibago · 12/05/2014 19:00

Thanks oneineight but how did you register him if the decision was that late?

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Retropear · 12/05/2014 19:11

Yikes Everhopeful where are you,is that 95% in everything?

TobyLerone · 12/05/2014 19:28

He was always on the G&T lists. DD is slightly less academic but she only missed out by about 6 marks. I could probably have got her in to grammar on appeal, but she's doing really well and is in all the top sets at her comprehensive.

TobyLerone · 12/05/2014 19:29

Actually, DS was neither determined nor competitive about his grades until he went to the boys' grammar :o

PastSellByDate · 13/05/2014 10:12

Hi Mrs Winnibago:

My advice is have a visit to the 11+ forum and see what they advise specifically for your region (just scroll down until you see your county/ city). www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/forum/11plus/index.php

We prepared for 11+ by DIY - and DD1 actually did score enough to go to one of the grammar schools here.

My advice is read quality children's fiction, watch quality tv documentaries/ factual/ historical programming (really expands vocabulary) and do use practice materials (as you say a lot is available on-line for free). However - at the top of your region on the 11+ forum there should be some stickies which help layout what the test for your grammar schools includes and advice on good study materials from parents who have been through this before.

Also worthwhile talking to parents of Y6 pupils off to the grammar this Sept.

HTH

Original poster
MrsWinnibago · 13/05/2014 10:17

Thanks Sell her vocab and reading is very advanced....I will continue to encourage that though. Thanks so much for the advice.x

OP posts:
spababe · 14/05/2014 12:52

Check if you have maths - in our area the maths at 11+ is not all covered by the core curriculum at school by the time they take the 11+

northlondoncat · 14/05/2014 14:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Millybutterfly · 16/05/2014 14:04

I did with my son practice papers from www.galorepark.co.uk
Worked great! Highly recommended but a little bit expensive. They are doing sales sometimes. You could check the website. Bond papers, Schoffield and Simms also. If you can do it yourself definitely save a fortune! Keep an eye on timing. It is very important. The test is better to be done in 40 min - 1 h ( depends on type). Good luck!!!

Artandco · 16/05/2014 14:08

I went to a grammar school. Don't remember any tutoring and friends parents say they never did also. I don't even remember being told it was an important test, just fill out this kind of thing. It's seems a new thing that people 'tutor' for grammar.

Most of its multiple choice anyway so they get a good chance of recognising answer as its written and they just circle which one

StarDustInTheWind · 18/05/2014 10:15

it IS a new thing to tutor so much for grammar - because the recession really bit in some areas... so a lot of grammar school entrants were from the public school arena.... competition becomes fierce.

Also, and it sounds snobby and WRONG, I know ....... a lot of "naice" new build housing is now built on "the wrong side of town" for the "good" schools, so people tutor like hell to get their kids to the grammar rather than the local school.....

EllenJanesthickerknickers · 18/05/2014 10:50

I did about 6 or 7 practice papers as recommended by elevenplusexams with DS2 and used a computer package, bought from them, in the August and September before his test in October. It was enough to get him a comfortable pass for the super selectives in Gloucester, but not enough to pass for Pates in Cheltenham. (super-duper selective!) He passed level 6 for maths but wasn't entered for level 6 literacy at his primary, so bright but not exceptional.

In retrospect, staring a bit earlier would have been better, but I was in the midst of a divorce and it dropped in priority. Do see what papers are recommended for your area. They do differ and Glos has moved to CEM from VR this year.