11+ interviews

[tolstoy]

other parents are asking what my child was asked at the interview stage (so that they can prepare their child). since there are about 150 interviews for 27 places should i tell them the questions? obviously they will give better answers than my child if they know questions before hand. of, course i would tell close friends, but what about those friends that are not close e.g. you don't have their home number or send them christmas cards/emails? of course, their potential offer place might not have been the result of any pre interview question knowledge. i would feel bad if i don't tell them but would also feel bad if they got offered a place and my child doesn't. what should i say?

Well, think of it like this - you weren't at the interview so how could you possibly know?

I do think it's cheeky of other parents to try to get more than a vague answer from you.

Just say your child came out in a daze and can hardly remember anything.

LOL, thanks ;)

it's really cheeky esp if you are after the same school!

it's hard to say no but just be vague "what's your favourite subject, favourite book" "what sport, music etc do you do in school / out of school" etc.

just the usual stuff!

I would say something like 'DS remembered talking about football but he would that's his favourite sport.' Everyone will expect something about their interests.

To be frank I would be particularly wary of "close" friends. They are so often the ones who would do anything other than reciprocate. (And who will be very secretive about their own preparation.)

But try not to worry. There's much more to interview success than pre-knowledge of the likely questions.

many thanks, they are going for the same school. my child is even being asked by one child at school. i'll feel bad whatever i do, but take great comfort from what you all think. i think they shouldn't ask me to help them 'cheat', especially with the possibility that their child might be end up being offered a place instead of my child.

Exactly. It's one thing to chat about interviews in a general way here, but it's not fair of those friends to put you on the spot when your child is in competition with theirs.

You may also take comfort from the fact that good interviewers will be able to recognise an overly coached child!

We had this in the playground too. I just said (truthfully) that I don't know as I didn't quizz DD as I didn't want to know! I'm sure I'd just be groaning 'nooo' if she told me her answers.

I also said that we didn't do any interview prep as I'm sure it's best that they are relaxed and natural rather than distracted in the interview by thinking 'what was it that Mum said to say if they asked that?'.

I would give them a long verbatim list of questions, that should give your DS an advantage. At most schools they will ask different questions of different children and certainly expect different answers, they can spot the prepared ones a mile off. These parents are doing a disservice to their DCs who should be given a chance to show their own personalities. What they want is bright spontaneous interviewees. See the last but one para here www.theguardian.com/education/2003/oct/08/schools.uk5