Which 11+ active website to use?

[01abbie]

Hi, I'm a desperate, busy and stressed out mum of three. We've sadly left it very late but oldest DS now decided he does want to try his hardest to work towards the 11+.

At times I'm calm then I panic as I realise how short a time we have left and am trying to decide how best to utilise this time. I spoke to a tutor today who kept making the comment about how late we had left it and how advanced the kids were that they were teaching! Yes, I understand this but I am now trying make the best of the situation. He will give him a brief assessment this weekend.

For home tutoring and to alternate what materials he is using and maintain his interest I was thinking of subscribing to a website specific to the 11+. I have looked at Bofa site but reviews are mixed some saying it is too easy. However I was wondering if there were any or one specific website that you guys would recommend.

Thanks xx

I would start with the 11+ website and grammar school website in which he is interested to find out exactly what the exam will be. Teach to the exam and make sure the tutor knows what the exam is and is teaching to it.

He has the whole of the summer holidays as well as a good half left of this term and, most importantly, the want to do it.

Good luck to him!

Please try not to stress! If you are in a grammar area, where the top 20% go to grammar, as opposed to a superselective only area where it's the top 1-2%, then you haven't left it too late.

Certainly in our area, I know plenty of children who did some papers just over the summer holdays to familiarise themselves with layout and type of question and got close to top scores. If your child has academic gaps, you will need to start work sooner.

The 11+ website linked above is a great resource.

Thanks both of you for the 11+ website recommendation . I will take a better look tonight. Trying hard not too stress and just keep my son motivated. Will have plenty of experience when it comes to the next child.

Hi, I found out what the exam board was (GL in our case) & bought all 32 papers sold in water stones. In about June we started doing a few a week. Only takes an hour, get it over with first thing in the morning! Gave him lots of experience as much as anything else. He passed

First time on this site. It's a welcome eye opener -God send. I've got more useful tips in a few minutes than surfing the web for hours on the 11 + would've achieved. I have home schooled 10 yr old and want him to attend school for secondary. Was preparing him for SATs but some comments here have opened my eyes. He's quite bright. We will try the 11+ route and apply for an independent place.

Thanks FresherThanYou, as Sutton Grammar set their own test it leaves it open as to which I buy. I've been looking online and thinking to perhaps go for the online Bond papers. Looking at the 11+ website for Interactive Software but trying to decide which to buy. At least that way there is some variety to hold his interest.

MKMum, I agree. There is so much information out there to read online. For me, when time is against you, it is daunting. Good luck to your 10 yr old

MKMum2015, is there a particular reason you are preparing for SATS? I just used to teach subjects. There is an HE section on this forum which you may find useful.

Before you buy anything, go to the site JustRichmal recommended, and specifically to the forum covering Sutton Grammar, where there're lots of posts to help you.
www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/forum/11plus/viewforum.php?f=30&sid=6e53fcca6ef77dd143c7eda212fddda0

It looks like the exam isn't until October, so you have plenty of time. As Fresher said, it doesn't take long to do a paper. If your son is keen, that's half the battle. Read carefully exactly what you need before you buy, and work out a timetable.

These websites all have free practice materials which are very good quality: www.bright-stars.org, www.elevenplusexams.co.uk, www.elevenplus.com. Remember to pick up on weak areas and keep working on these! Good luck!

My DS only decided in June of Y5 that he wanted to sit the 11+! I bought some books from Bonds that he worked through, especially useful for the verbal reasoning. Also we got some past papers that the school recommended.

He passed without a tutor so it is possible, don't let people convince you that it's too late!

That is great to hear and well done to him. I've bought some bond books, have also got a mixture of other assessment papers for practise as Sutton write their own. He is committed to working through them, so who knows.
To be honest spoke to one tutor who commented a couple of times how advanced the kids at his tuition school were due to their commitment and that of the parents. He put me off! DS is working through and as his maths is so strong were focusing on his English for now.
Thank you and others for the positive reinforcement, advice snd hope.

DS Sat for Colet Court in January (10+ deferred entry) with no tuition at all. We just did a few Bond papers/free past papers from the various schools websites. He got through to interview which was a huge shock for us considering that he's a summer born and 3 of the other children sitting the exam from his primary school didn't get an interview, even though they had all received tuition. Two of which had been tutored for years!

Please don't panic. It's more about practice with the papers and exam technique.