Hampton 11+ interviews - 2021 entry

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My DS has been invited for an interview at Hampton in early Jan. I know in the past they’ve interviewed about half of the boys who sat the test but I can only imagine the use of the ISEB has drastically increased the number of applicants. At the same time the ISEB provides less information about a student than the school’s own test so it may be harder to narrow down the pool. We have been told there will be an academic component to the interview but I can’t imagine it will be very long considering that it is made up of just two 15-minute meetings.

Does anyone have any idea how many applicants Hampton got this year, how many they are interviewing, or what the academic component to the interview might look like?

Academic interviews for senior schools can include a comprehension passage, mental maths questions, use of reference materials (Hampton seems to like that one) to see how they look up information and analyse it. Also, critiquing a piece of art work popular in senior school interviews (Hampton included).

PS I dont know anything specific about this year though. I can only give you more general information. They will likely have a selection of tests and will tailor their choice of tests to the individual depending on which areas they are weak/borderline in.

We have too, but I don’t know the percentages. A good sign, though!

Wise words from MGMidget.
Also make sure he can talk about the latest/favourite book they are reading.
Good luck!

Also, to add to Ripple’s suggestion, have him think about what subjects he has been studying at school recently and get him to think about what he would say about them, especially favourite subjects.

Another one whose DS has a Hampton interview - thank you for the suggestions in terms of prep (I know the schools say don't do any interview prep at all, but my DS is quite nervous and I think the suggestions above will help him get his thoughts together in advance of the day).

I would love to know overall candidate numbers, or how many ISEB candidates made it to interview, but I really have no idea. I can imagine as the OP says there may have been quite a few more than usual. I am guessing that maybe half of those interviewed may get an offer but that is very much a guess!

I heard today that they are interviewing lots more than usual because of having to use the ISEB this year! But it won’t be the interview that makes or breaks on its own.

Our son recently got offered a 10+ advance place. The face to face interview was very friendly, I was told, and lots of general questions like hobbies, interests, current book DS is reading, favourite subject etc. No academic questions but the 10+ was Hampton’s own written paper and not ISEB which probably meant they didn’t need to test ability any further. I wouldn’t prepare as such but worth your son having a think about reasons for answers. Try not to be rehearsed as they will see right through it. Most of all, relax and let your son’s personality shine through. Good luck. We were really impressed with the admissions process, which was very informative and reassuring in the current circumstances. For what it’s worth, with the 10+, top 1/3 were invited for interview and about half offered a place.

Thanks @MumboJumbo20 it’s great to hear that it’s friendly and relaxed. But wow, does seem the interview is really make or break 🙈

We too have Hampton interview this week- not sure how to prepare for the academic side of maths testing .

Reading the thread of the 11+ interviews for Hampton.
Wondering what sort of academic questions Hampton could have asked over a virtual zoom call?
It would be interesting to know.
Any insight would truly help.

My son is sick with nerves at the thought of his upcoming interview. I wish he was a more confident chap!! He’s so scared he’ll get tongue-tied or that his mind will go blank 🙈

We've had an interview for another school, but there asked academic questions. A couple of mental maths ones, and then asked to talk about a particular topic (presumably to replace creative writing). I guess they might also read a short passage and have to talk about it. Agreed it's probably limited, but with the ISEB being what it is, I suspect they'll be looking for other ways to distinguish between the boys.

To add to @GrammarHopeful’s post - they need paper and pen/pencil to work out the maths problems. DS didn’t have to write anything down for the English section but needed rough paper for the maths to show workings out.

Good luck to all still waiting for interview. If it’s any help, my DS was nervous but was very quickly put at ease by the first teacher and ended up really quite enjoying it.

Great insights thank you . Our son has his 12 plus interview tomorrow and he too is nervous . They too have two teachers to interview them in a half hour slot - imagine it will be quite intense ... fingers crossed 🤞

Nothing to add on the Hampton interview. Pretty much the same as our experience.

Does anyone know when they finish interviews? And how long before they tell us - does it all come out in one go or do they start to let people know if they are unsuccessful earlier

Just posting this (apologies for picture quality!) which is the summary we got from Hampton...might be useful if others reading the thread have any other queries. Results sent out 11 February, they won’t give any information out over the phone.

So just a waiting game once the interviews are over, unless applying for a scholarship.

Good luck to all in this unprecedented year.

Of course this year might be very different, but just to let you know the waiting list did move last year should you be given that offer.

Thanks so much for the advice and reassurance 💐

Hi has anyone heard anything re music scholarships?

Hi hopefulone1

From past experience, the auditions tend to be held early Feb so you won't hear for at leat a week yet I don't think.

Good Luck.

Ptarmigan68 - Thank you

Our fingers a crossed

Has anyone heard from Hampton re academic scholarship interviews - I am not expecting anything but just want to completely rule it out if anyone has heard

I think they would have happened by now as this week is 13+ interviews