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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Anyone's DCs doing the Surrey SET test this month?

34 replies

whataboutbob · 03/09/2017 18:35

DS2 is due to sit it. Just an appeal to anyone who understands the process- I understand it will be Maths and English, no VR/ NVR. Will it definitely be all multiple choice? Anything else I should be aware of? Where are the venues likely to be- any info would be useful really!

OP posts:
Ladymuck · 03/09/2017 19:36

Some of the English questions are VR-ish - antonyms/synonyms.
Yes, 1st round is multiple choice.
The venues are obviously the grammar schools themselves - usually the nearest one to you, but not always. (we ended up at the one furthest away). Allow more time than you believe necessary to park. Preferably park quite a distance away and walk in. Do not underestimate the amount of time it might take to find a parking space. People WILL block roads entirely.

Original poster
whataboutbob · 03/09/2017 22:28

Thanks Ladymuck I have posted before on this topic and you always help out with great advice. We'll be coming by public transport so I hope we get Sutton GS as the other schools aren't that readily accessible. Come to think of it we may have to hire a car on the day if the venue isn't SGS.
Have been revising antonyms/ synonyms till they come out of the poor boy's ears!
We have self tutored and I am a bit worried that he'll get stuff outside of the year 5 curriculum especially in maths- but maybe that's more likely in round 2?

OP posts:
Ladymuck · 04/09/2017 09:10

Certainly the papers can cover year 6 material - they can cover all of KS2. This usually crops up more on the 2nd round where shape, averages and probability are more likely to be tested.

But I think the differentiator on 2nd round maths is less about how far through the curriculum they have raced and more about problem solving - can you read, and interpret a problem and decide which tool to reach for in order to solve it. Practice here is key, and I would suggest the Primary/Junior Maths Challenge. First round maths used to be ensuring that you had good coverage of all areas rather than being tricky as such.

MagicMarkers · 04/09/2017 09:43

I have two sons at Wilson's so we've been through this twice. Yes, the Sutton SET is all multiple choice. The second tests aren't multiple choice and will include creative writing. The SET covers the entire KS2 curriculum not just year 5. That's why tutoring is necessary, because the work won't have been covered at state school yet.

I think it's useful to do some VR practice. It overlaps with English a lot and it is good for vocabulary. I know a girl who was thrown by a few questions in the Tiffin exam, because she hadn't done any VR practice and didn't know how to do the questions. Tiffin claims there is no VR and these questions could be called English, but they were VR in style.

Original poster
whataboutbob · 04/09/2017 13:28

Thank you. I am feeling foolish re not getting DS tutored, the main reason being limited funds and not being on the inside track re tutors, never managing to actually find one. I comically went about all the wrong ways trying to do that: posting on Mumsnet, posting on 11 plus forum (I now realise this is taboo). Also relying on DH whose only lead was someone who tutored for the private sector school entries.
He's top of his class for maths but obviously if he hasn't studied something he can't do it.
Thanks for the VR practice tip, we have the Bond VR books so will do that. Also thanks Ladymuck for the Junior Maths Challenge tip- I'm off to look that up!

OP posts:
Puddinglane12 · 11/09/2017 17:44

Hi whatabout,

'We' are sitting the exam too. I also find it a bit confusing. Have you heard anything about your exam venue yet? I vaguely recall we should receive notification this week. I'm also assuming this will be via email.
LM thanks for maths challenge tip.

Original poster
whataboutbob · 12/09/2017 17:53

Hi pudding- just checked my inbox there is an email from the SET administrator with the venue for next Tuesday 's exam.
I am doing small maths tests just 20-30 mins most days. Bond books, GL etc

OP posts:
Teddygirlonce · 13/09/2017 08:12

@Ladymuck public transport is actually your best friend for the 11+ test days. Much less stressful.

DS and DH both involved in Surrey SET Wink.

Original poster
whataboutbob · 13/09/2017 08:29

Our venue is greenshaw school, no train stations nearby only buses and we don't live near their route so we are going to book a taxi.

OP posts:
Puddinglane12 · 13/09/2017 14:59

Got our venue also. Wallington girls. Hopefully shouldn't be too onerous. We are practicing the bond books etc as well.

Bekabeech · 13/09/2017 15:12

Do they really have the check to call it Surrey entrance test???
How rude, when they are not even in Surrey! (A huge point for people who do live in Surrey with our wonderful 100% Comprehensive system.)

MagicMarkers · 14/09/2017 15:12

No they don't call it the Surrey entrance test. It's the Selective Eligibility Test for the grammar schools in LB of Sutton. Sutton SET is just what the OP called it.

MagicMarkers · 14/09/2017 15:13

*Surrey SET

camptownraces · 14/09/2017 21:42

Not an unreasonable assumption. The postal address of all those schools is "Surrey".
Surrey's comprehensive system isn't wonderful for everybody. Depends where you live in that county.

Puddinglane12 · 15/09/2017 05:54

Not an unreasonable assumption. The postal address of all those schools is "Surrey".
Surrey's comprehensive system isn't wonderful for everybody. Depends where you live in that county.

This!

Wimbles101 · 15/09/2017 21:27

Sorry only just spotted.
We did the CGP papers I think in the summer / they are the most similar in level especially for Maths - Bond nowhere near right level I'm afraid.
SET was level 6 last year and second round for Wilsons verging on level 7.
Good luck! Not long to go now!😳

Wimbles101 · 15/09/2017 21:29

Also Junior Maths Challenge is a good tip. Another to try maybe for level 2 is Manchester Grammar papers - I think you can download them from the school website. Second part of Maths is very challenging in those.

Wimbles101 · 15/09/2017 21:29

Sorry I meant for second paper if you get to that stage.

Original poster
whataboutbob · 17/09/2017 09:44

Quick question- is the English part of the SET likely to include a comprehension piece?

OP posts:
Puddinglane12 · 17/09/2017 15:41

Yes, I think it does include multiple choice comprehension. Hopefully, someone who knows for sure can clarify this.

Wimbles101 · 17/09/2017 19:16

Yes it generally includes a comprehension

Original poster
whataboutbob · 17/09/2017 19:21

Thanks guys! It's good to know so I can tell him what to expect.

OP posts:
Puddinglane12 · 19/09/2017 19:11

Roll on, next Tuesday!!!

jefarkha · 20/09/2017 22:13

Any suggestions what kind of Maths papers should work on for 2nd stage although not really sure where DS stand as she couldn't finish the Maths paper properly. But would like to do some work with her in the meantime. Is the Junior Maths Challenge is still suitable or some other suggestions other than MGS?

MrsPatmore · 21/09/2017 14:20

Junior maths challenge papers good, Manchester Grammar School papers, independent school past papers; try Dulwich, Sevenoaks and Alleyns