City Boys 10+

[Leriunle80]

Hello! My DS may be sitting the 10+ exams for City Boys. Does anybody have recent experience of this and can offer any advice on how best to prepare and what to expect (including duration of papers/ how many questions)?
I have also heard that only boys coming from state primaries are offered at 10+ and wanted to understand whether this is the case, as DS currently attends an independent prep.
Thank you in advance!

Hi Leriuncle80

I am not sure if it helps but my DS had their 10+ this January.
He said math was so difficult and totally different from their specimen paper.
Reasoning was easy and their comprehension was difficult as always.

He was on the reserve list but we were told that all offer holders have accepted their offer and he could not manage to get in.
He has lost his confidence and is still hesitating to take their 11+ sitting test this Friday.
He also said the other boys at interview looked really strong and confident which made him feel small.Now it’s not his first choice.

Sorry but it wasn’t a good experience for him unfortunately but good luck.

My son is in City and started in 10+ a few years ago now. He moved to City from a private school. Please check with the school that the rule has not changed. I doubt it though

Hanahhannah, how interesting. My DS had a very similar experience at the City 10+ exam last January. Said the maths was ridiculously hard (his maths is very good) and the whole setting was extremely intimidating. I loved it when I looked around it but on exam day I didn't like the vibe at all and I think DS would (as a white state educated kid) most definitely be in the minority. He is registered for the exam tomorrow but I am think we will pull out.

My son gained a place at City 10+ last January and found maths easier than the other exam at other school he also attempted, but was very worried about comprehension. But passing the exam was the easier bit, his interview was very hard and we are still amazed that he secured a place. His classmates are a mix of private and state school boys. He is enjoying the school now, it’s much friendlier after you get in, despite the initial process being a bit scary and intimidating.

Cantstopstressing, my son is also white and state educated, there is a good mix in his class, quite a few from a similar background. Boys are lovely, and very bright and I am still a bit worried about him fitting in. They all sound so smart! Coming from a state school, my son is still a bit struggling with the amount of homework, but he is slowly getting there.

Cantstopstressing Thanks for your comment.
Feel relieved that we are not the only one.
My DS is not a sort of confident, super intelligent boy and he has had tough time since last January( like other boys by COVID ,his trauma for 10+ and our good friend suddenly death etc)
So I believe 10+ wasn’t a good timing for him and he will get an offer from most suitable school for him and really hope your DS too.

Good luck everyone.

Thank you all for your replies. DS wrote his papers today and it sounds really super hard, particularly the comprehension. Won’t hear back until January - did you ovtain feedback on how your DSs performed?

My son said today’s math paper very hard and VR is hard as well.

85 questions needs to be answered in 35 mins , oh dear

My son also confirmed that the exam was very hard, especially the comprehension. Managed to come out happy with his cookie and smoothie:)Fingers crossed everyone

Hello,

I am interested in this school for my Ds. All I have read is that the exams are super hard. Op, did your son make it to the interview stage? Do you know how many kids are invited back for interview? Just gathering information so I know how to prepare ds.

Many thanks for sharing your experiences.

My son sat the exams in December and had his interview on Wednesday. We’ve not been told numbers. He found the exams easy, (I think rather than easy they weren’t as hard as he was expecting) but said the maths questions were very ‘wordy’ so he had to be careful and read through lots of times to make sure he was completing the task properly. This meant he left the final 5 questions with no attempt. English comprehension was old English which he said was fine and then complete the story. Verbal reasoning he said was very manageable and he finished quickly with spare time.

The interview was academic; he had a memory task and 2 maths problems to complete (no paper/pen allowed), had to give answer and explain how got the answer (he was told he’d got them right). He was asked about family, books and hobbies and usual why do you want to come to this school.

Even if he doesn’t get offered a place, it’s been an experience and sets him up well for the 11+ and has given us an idea of where he is, although actual numbers as to where he’s pitched would be even better! My son goes to a London state primary school, it’s not a school where children ordinarily sit entrance exams.

Thank you Londonlulu. Sounds like a positive experience for you and your daughter. All the best with the results, I assume not long to go now to find out one way or another. Best of luck.

Darling son obviously, not daughter!