ISEB PRETESTS for Oct/Nov 2019

[Luckymum007]

Hello,

My DS has to sit the ISEB pretest at the end of this month and I will like to have some insight on how to prepare, has anyone got children who has taken them? Were they difficult?

Thank you.

Ds did this for Harrow. We didn’t do any prep and the test is adaptive so it’s designed not to be too easy or too hard. I know there are people who would disagree but I think the only prep that’s needed is a good night’s sleep beforehand and a normal breakfast.

@Parsimon. Thank you for your feedback.

Our daughter has just sat her pre-test, and we also did no preparation whatsoever, other than the familiarisation link with a few sample questions, that the school provided. More to familiarise the child with the computer interface rather than actual content or style of question. However, she was a bit disheartened on the day, when she realised that practically every child in her group had been receiving extensive tutoring and preparation for this. Is this how ridiculous things have become? Our school advised us no preparation was needed, and the school where she sat the test, advise the same. Yet everyone thinks they can outdo the system somehow..and prove that their child is really well and truly..amazing
She didn’t struggle with the content, but did with time, so it certainly seemed more time pressured than expected.

@Mumto2two

Hello, I empathize with you. This is honestly the reality that we find ourselves in. Most people are heavily tutored for these tests and so when one does not do extensive preparation, you might just lurk in the dark. The competition is now extremely fierce and it is unfortunate because 10 year olds have a hard time dealing with all this pressure.

I would say no need for extensive preparation, but some familiarisation is definitely a good thing - so if the school haven't done any work on VR and NVR questions, it's worth doing a bit so the test isn't the first time they've seen those style of Qs. Likewise, just a little practice of managing time is pretty important.

I don't think children should be extensively tutored for these things, but given most won't have done Vr and NVR before or necessarily had to push themselves throug a time-pressurised test, they can be disadvantaged if they haven't done anything like this before. Most Prep schools will provide some lessons on VR and NVR given most of yr6 have to do either tests or pre-tests these days.....otherwise, what exactly are they prepping them for? It wouldn't have to be loads though.

Ask your school what they have done with your child and what they would recommend in terms of materials. Otherwise the 11+ forum (different website not MN) is excellent on this stuff. Even in a couple of weeks you can do the familiarisation that makes a difference, if your school haven't done it, and then you can feel pleased you haven't spent 2 years on heavy tutoring. At this point, with it being so close, it's not worth having worries about a lack of tutoring, just doing what you can in this short window of time.

BOFA online do practise tests for ISEB and general 11+ practise helps. Try the First Past the Post series at this stage.

@WombatChocolate

Thank you for your advice. You are right, it is certainly too late for any magic tricks. Fingers crossed, things work out.

Some familiarisation is useful. Including a reminder that it is progressive and they cannot go back

Thank you everyone.

Any new thoughts about how the ISEB pretests this year are.

Thank you