Riddlesdown entrance exam - anyone know the format?

[GettingBackToMe]

I'm thinking of putting DS in for the Riddlesdown entrance exam - we are just inside the catchment area I think, but it seems to be shrinking every year so I want to be belt-and-braces about it.

Can anyone tell me anything about the test last year that would help me prepare him for it? Eg. is it all multiple choice? Are the questions all from the curriculum up to Year 5 or will there be stuff in it he might not have learned in school? Any info very welcome!

I'm going to answer my own question, in case anyone is interested for next year: the test was an hour long, it was all multiple choice, the questions covered English, Maths and Science and DS said they were mostly topics he remembered doing in school over the last couple of years.

Also you might be interested to know that over 600 children took the test, for only 48 places. So roughly 8% of them could get an ability place, which doesn't sound that encouraging...

How did your son get on? Would you use the ability place even though you're in catchment?

Hi Dangerousplan thanks for asking. He passed but not in the top 48, so he’s on the waiting list somewhere. I’m hoping all the ones above him will take other places at independents or the grammars. Not sure if that is over-optimistic!

We were right on the edge of distance admissions last year (they offered to someone a bit further out than us in July!) and I remember from primary admissions that this year group was larger than the previous one, so based on that I think we will struggle for normal catchment this year. Just got to keep fingers crossed!

Are you applying this year or in the future?

This year. We are out of last years catchment by about 0.5 miles, and like you, on the ability waiting list for 2nd round offers now.

I wonder how many are on the list?

Did you put the school as your 1st choice?

I do know at least 2 children who made top 48 but are not planning to take their place.. so fingers crossed!!

Yes, it is our first choice - their specialisms are the best fit for DS, they do well academically without feeling stressful, and also v nearby.

It's heartening to know that there are already some kids who won't be using their ability places. The lady in the office said that the waiting list was extra-large this year as well - more than 100, in addition to the 48. She couldn't tell me where DS was on the list either, so maybe we need 100 children to take places elsewhere...

On a more hopeful note, the Wallington/Nonsuch second exam was on a different day to the Riddlesdown one, so if we are lucky a massive chunk of the list will disappear off to grammar school very soon!

100 on wait list omg!

Let's hope ours are near the top!
You may be lucky and get in on distance criteria anyway.

Fingers crossed.

Hi there. Does anyone know what the English part is. Is it just grammar or comprehension?