Year 7 Pre-Tests, what to expect in a prep school?

[TheLovelyBoots]

My son is sitting a few pre-tests in year 7 (not 6) and I'm decidedly underwhelmed by the school's approach.

No one has been in touch with me to see which schools my son is sitting for (he's got one next Thursday!), I sent an email to the head year earlier this week saying "how do you manage the stream of boys sitting for pre-tests in addition to common entrance" (no reply). Today I talked with my son's form tutor after school and asked him the same, and he said: the CE prep will leave him in good stead for the pre-test, which is basically an 11+ with an extra page on the end.

Any thoughts?

We had a similar response when ds was in Yr 7, particularly if the pre tests were at schools who also had an 11+ intake. Thing is, pretests for 13+ entry are becoming increasingly common, but some prep school don't seem to be waking up to the fact that they can't rely on common entrance any more. Pre tests very often aren't 11+ with a bit added on, so you'll have to do your research as to what is involved (quite a few schools are using a computerised 'common pre test' to avoid a child sitting numerous tests) Also, ring your head, it tends to be them who should be on the ball with this information rather than individual teachers. You may find that they have been running additional lunch time sessions or similar.

Thanks inthename, the head is pretty remote.

They are doing lunchtime sessions, but I'm not convinced this is enough.

if you don't mind me asking, which schools is he sitting for?

are they pre-tests or are they school specific entrance papers ? ime pre-tests tend to be computerised vr/nvr style which can't really be heavily revised rather than written papers.

What exactly is it that yo want them to do as well as running lunchtime sessions?

Talking about specific ideas is more likely to be productive of the outcome to want than a general 'do more'.

Also, as most schools which pretest do so in year 6, what work was done then? How does it align with a later pretest? Are the extra lunchtime sessions building on previous work?

Should have been more specific - they're running lunchtime math sessions, but this is for the whole of year 7. CE prep augmentation.

As for what they should be doing - I don't know. In year 6, you have a questionnaire, they are ostensibly meant to be tracking which exams they are sitting, they have math and English extension based on those exams (they were grouped off), a couple of mock interviews. I haven't actually asked the school to do more; rather I have asked them what they are doing.

It seems strange that year 6 is entirely devoted to pre-tests and then in year 7, they move on and there's no support for those who will inevitably be sitting pre-tests.

He's sitting for Harrow and Marlborough, by the way.

are they pre-tests or are they school specific entrance papers ?

Can't they be both?

No , a pre-test would result in a conditional place subject to specific performance in CE, a school entrance paper would gain a place. The former are often sat much further in advance, ie year 6. Hence schools using pre-tests may over offer, as some will hold more than one offer , making a decision on which to go for as late as Spring year 8, be awaiting the outcome of scholarship/bursary applications or not make the grade at CE. The format of papers will vary as inthename stated, but generally an entrance test would be more traditional with maths and English papers, with a combination of vr, nvr etc whereas pre-tests are looking for innate ability and problem solving skills.

If much of year 6 was devoted to pre-tests, this knowledge won't have vanished by a few weeks in to year 7 especially not with additional sessions to keep it sharp.

That is why I think it would help for you to have some idea of what it is you actually want them to do, or any specific issues you know your DS still needs help with to make sure they are covered.

That is why I think it would help for you to have some idea of what it is you actually want them to do, or any specific issues you know your DS still needs help with to make sure they are covered.

But shouldn't the school know this? I don't have great context for understanding this. I can certainly tell them his weak spots in math, but that's about it. I'm told his English is very good but when I look at it, it's hard for me to not ruthlessly edit it - I can't assume the voice of an 11 year old.

It seems like you all think this is all in hand and I'm worrying about nothing. Is this correct? This would make me feel better. My unhappiness started when I realized that the school would not take an interest in which schools he is sitting for.

My unhappiness started when I realized that the school would not take an interest in which schools he is sitting for. That is more concerning , not for the tests but that they aren't involved. Are these schools off their usual radar or are they simply so confident that you have it in hand and he'll succeed that they don't feel the need to be involved. Has he been at this prep long ?

Or, 12 year old.

Liz- thanks for that. Does this mean that if he's offered a place at M or H, it's not conditional on the CE?

Looking at websites, Marlborough seem to have recently abandoned reliance on CE for anything other than setting purposes, so theirs would be a definite offer ie. this is an entrance assessment not a pre-test, whereas for Harrow An offer is subject to satisfactory performance in either Common Entrance (or equivalent) or in our Academic Scholarship exams. All boys sit Common Entrance, most in June of Year 8, usually at their current school or at the British Council for boys based overseas. Our pass mark is an average of at least 60%, including 55% in Mathematics and English an offer is still conditional on CE performance, if not rigorously so.

TLB - the M pre test is all about the heads report and how your DS interviews. That is 90% of the marks and the computer test is 10%. Or at least it was 2 years ago. The computer test was almost dismissed as a tool to back up the heads report. So if your head strongly recommends the child that is a v good start.

The boys I know who have gone to harrow have also had strong recommendations - ie, from the discussions with the head and questionnaire type forms they have made it clear it is their first choice.

Does the school send DC to these secondary schools? Is the head experienced or new to the job?

The yr6 prep and extra classes in yr7 sounds good IMO! Has he done cat (or similar) tests? They are computer based and the results are given to the secondary schools I believe.

Maybe a quick practice interview before he goes to a test would help? Good luck!!

The school is doing something - it's providing additional tuition.

You don't think that's enough, and so the first thing most schools would ask is exactly what you are worried about and for your ideas on what you would like to happen (and then work with you to see whether that can be turned into a plan).

Does the school actually have someone nominated as in charge of school transfer? Have you spoken to them about what your DS needs for these schools? Have you informed them of your DS's key dates in admissions for these schools? When will they fit in interview practice?

Does the school often send boys to either/both of these schools?