11+ Dilemma

[PapaJohn1]

So one effect of Covid is to push the 11+ exam into November 2020 this means that you will have needed to put down your school selection for our LEA before the exam is sat as opposed to normal years where you would have known if you had passed or failed prior to the school selection being made. Our DD is mildly dyslexic and borderline to pass but several of her primary school friends are doing the 11+ and we see it as away of boosting her confidence (pass or fail). The trouble is if we don't put the Grammar as 1st choice and DD passes then she won't get in but by similar logic if you don't put the preferred non-selective as 1st choice she may not get in. This kind of means in DDs case there may now be to much risk in her taking the 11 +. I would appreciate advise, thoughts and experiences.

That’s not true it doesn’t work like that. Schools don’t know whether you put them first choice or last choice they just say yes or no based on their criteria. You then get a place at your highest choice who is able to offer you a place.

Yes @LadyCatStark is correct. If your DD doesn't pass, she'll have as much chance of getting into the non selective as someone who put it first

Exactly as the PP says. If you put a grammar first and a non-selective second and your DD doesn't pass, then the grammar choice will be discounted and the non-selective will become your de facto first choice. (Also, if you happen to be in Kent, they allow you to amend your application up until mid December, so you can always change your preferences later once you've got the results - not that you should usually need to because of the equal preference system described by the PP above. If you're not in Kent then maybe check whether your LA allow you to amend the application, for peace of mind.)