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Secondary education

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Original poster

11 plus support thread

208 replies

user153876909 · 21/08/2021 21:19

Hi folks,

My DS is sitting the 11 plus for some of the superselective grammar schools in London next month. We did a mock test today and got the results back, which have put me in a bit of a panic mode. I thought we were almost there with the prep but it seems we still have quite some work to do.

Anyone else have DC taking the 11+ next month and what last minute prep are you doing?

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Original poster
user153876909 · 26/08/2021 16:33

Thanks all - it's reassuring to know you don't have to be getting well above 90%. I think the problem is they seem to be making the exams harder and harder because the students are tutored and prepped to such perfection and it's becoming more difficult to differentiate the top. I heard that this year or last year 55 students got the top mark in Maths for QE! - that sounds pretty nuts to me!

Also this year for SET they have introduced these comparative text questions which are apparently new format and all these fb groups have been inundated with requests for material to prepare for those. I succumbed to some of that pressure and bought a set of papers just testing the comparative test part (and it wasn't cheap either!). DS is having a go at these now but finding them extremely tough and asking me for explanations of words that I have never encountered - I think I'm going to give up with those, it seems bonkers to test a 10 yr old on material like this and the timing is also ridiculous - I'd be hard pressed to do these myself in that time!

So yes, I think time to step away and continue with our 'little but often' approach, we were doing quite well with that so far until I started frequenting these forums where people seem to live, eat breath, make their living from 11+!

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BumbledBee · 26/08/2021 16:43

I think I know the papers you mean and honestly, I think the publishers of these last-minute practice papers have it wrong with the amount of text to read, number of multi-mark questions, and timing.

The makers of the SET are not sadistic Grin and all the children I know who took it have come out of the exam saying they found it easier than the prep and mocks.

Hopefully the new format will favour the naturally bright and well-read rather than the heavily tutored.

Original poster
user153876909 · 26/08/2021 17:05

yes, the amount of text to read and take in and compare and contrast is ridiculous! I lost my focus after a bit and told him to leave it. I told DS if a school really expects 10 yr olds to be able to do a test like this then I'm not sure that's the school I want to send him to!

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annaseal · 26/08/2021 17:18

@user153876909

yes, the amount of text to read and take in and compare and contrast is ridiculous! I lost my focus after a bit and told him to leave it. I told DS if a school really expects 10 yr olds to be able to do a test like this then I'm not sure that's the school I want to send him to!
That is the thing. I saw in one of the groups, children are doing Shakespeare. Apparently one school gave a piece from Macbeth in last years 11 plus. Seriously I would think twice before putting my DC in such schools. 🙄🙄 Complete nuts in the name of 11 plus.
Original poster
user153876909 · 26/08/2021 18:01

yes I read the Shakespeare bit, isn't that KS3 material(!) - my DS's cousin is 14 and doing that at secondary school right now. How is it fair to test them on Shakespeare - that would certainly not be testing their innate ability but whether they've been exposed to similar texts before.

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pkim123 · 26/08/2021 19:27

@annaseal

What is Dexamfetamine?? Hmm did a google search and found a very complicated definition. Seems like something that affects Central Nervous System? Shock Poor kids 😔
It is a drug normally prescribed for treating ADHD. However, it is often also used as a stimulant to improve cognitive performance. Personally, using any drug other than it's true intended purpose seems foolish to me. But then again, London parents will do anything to help the little ones getting into the "right" school.
louisejxxx · 26/08/2021 20:44

That’s great - I never hear a bad word said about AA, but we are nowhere near catchment for it so unfortunately it wasn’t worth putting it down on our form.

It’s funny you say that about KES because I know a few parents who also hated it…I think it’s very much a case of you’re either a Kes boy or you aren’t. We ultimately ruled it out because I was concerned that ds didn’t necessarily fit the mould they’re after.

Original poster
user153876909 · 29/08/2021 21:17

So DS sat a mock exam today which I booked a little while ago but we weren't sure if he was going to go because it's a bit of a trek for us - he came out of it saying it was really tough and he left questions at the end because he didn't have time. So far, with all the GL practise papers we've done at home, timing has never been an issue. I had a look through the paper and it looks pretty tough, many cases where if you haven't learnt a particular 'idiom' or 'proverb' you'll have lost a mark. SO all in all, he thinks he's done pretty badly in it.

Gahhh - I'm feeling pretty dejected and like the whole 11+ thing is just not going to work out for us. We started late (during Yr 5) and he had to be taught much of the Maths because so much hadn't been covered in his state school (which didn't have any lockdown provision for much of the year) so it's been an uphill climb. I feel like we just haven't done enough. Has anyone else whose done mock exams felt this way ? I actually only wanted him to sit it to become familiar with the exam environment so he's not so nervous on the day and had no intention of taking the results seriously - but now I do Blush

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Lockdowndramaqueen · 29/08/2021 21:38

Yes - totally get the mock trauma feeling. We have done two. Did brilliantly in one and much less well
in one so def getting a sense of it’s all a bit in the lap of the gods despite all the prep because of the weird specificity of the questions, kids state of mind on the day etc. Fingers crossed for the actual test and looking forward to celebrating afterwards.

louisejxxx · 29/08/2021 23:41

Just wanted to add that the teaching the Maths part is not out of the ordinary - some of the year 6 curriculum often features in the test which is obviously never going to be taught in time for September of year 6. The things I remember off the top of my head are ratios and speed/distance/time. There are probably other topics too.

BumbledBee · 30/08/2021 10:02

@user153876909
We have found the harder the mock, the better DD's standardised score; hopefully you'll find the same.

Bin85 · 30/08/2021 11:52

Ignore or help him with any irrelevant school homework until the exam.

Bin85 · 30/08/2021 11:54

Then you can focus on revision and timed practice.

lawofdistraction · 30/08/2021 17:44

DD has hers coming up and I'm so nervous!

She has an hour's group tutoring a week and does one full paper each week, alternating between English and maths (no VR here). On the other days we manage about 10 minutes, either the GL flashcards or a 10 min test.

She took a mock at the school in June and did really well in terms of ranking. This has given her a lot of confidence in passing which is great, but she's also pretty complacent now so very reluctant to do more than a few minutes a day!

OrlandointheWilderness · 30/08/2021 18:02

God this is mental! My DD will be sitting it soon (Lincolnshire). She's doing half an hour 3 x a week and has an hour with a teacher once a week and that is it. I've told her to do her best - if she doesn't pass it isn't the end of the world as long as she has worked hard. I hate it personally.

annaseal · 30/08/2021 18:48

@user153876909

So DS sat a mock exam today which I booked a little while ago but we weren't sure if he was going to go because it's a bit of a trek for us - he came out of it saying it was really tough and he left questions at the end because he didn't have time. So far, with all the GL practise papers we've done at home, timing has never been an issue. I had a look through the paper and it looks pretty tough, many cases where if you haven't learnt a particular 'idiom' or 'proverb' you'll have lost a mark. SO all in all, he thinks he's done pretty badly in it.

Gahhh - I'm feeling pretty dejected and like the whole 11+ thing is just not going to work out for us. We started late (during Yr 5) and he had to be taught much of the Maths because so much hadn't been covered in his state school (which didn't have any lockdown provision for much of the year) so it's been an uphill climb. I feel like we just haven't done enough. Has anyone else whose done mock exams felt this way ? I actually only wanted him to sit it to become familiar with the exam environment so he's not so nervous on the day and had no intention of taking the results seriously - but now I do Blush

Few mocks can be bit soul destroying 😩. Since covid millions of online mocks has come up, many of which are shady. Go through the mistakes so he knows where he went wrong. If your DS is sitting for actual exam this week, then it will be good idea to step back from mocks, stick to well known publishers like CGP, FPTP and try to build his confidence as much as possible. QE and Sutton tests are most competitive, but have heard many times actual exams come out to be lot better than mocks. Very best of luck to all our DCs for the exams!! I am sure they will rock 😍😍
Original poster
user153876909 · 30/08/2021 21:50

Thanks all for the advice/support - good luck to everyone for the final stretch and the exams - both kids and parents! I've tried to mentally shift gears a bit and think about all we've gained in the past year of working towards 11+ instead of just fixating on the end goal. We have about 2 weeks before the exam and school starts on Wednesday so there won't be much time for 11+ work. Right now we're focusing mostly on English since that's the weaker subject and doing 5 Maths questions a day.

What are everyone's plans for the final stretch - winding down, up or same as current? We were planning to keep the same pace but we seem to be winding down.

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Mrsfrumble · 31/08/2021 08:22

Can I join? DS has exams at the end of this week 😬😬
We’re not in an 11+ area, just taking a shot at the 2 selective state schools that everyone goes for in this part of London. DS insists he wants to do them, but he’s obviously stressed and anxious and I feel so guilty for putting the pressure on him. DH isn’t really on board so it’s all been down to me to make the arrangements and do the prep with him (he does have a tutor who is great, but only since Easter as that’s all we could afford). Currently trying to muster the energy to make him sit down for yet another GL VR practice paper, but I just want it to be over now.

BumbledBee · 31/08/2021 08:24

DD isn't back to school until next week. We still have a couple of comparing texts papers to look at this week, but will forget about the time restrictions when doing them. One more full practice paper about a week before the exams and then nothing once back at school. The only obstacle for DD is her state of mind, so I want to try to help her stay happy and confident.

ElvenDreamer · 31/08/2021 08:39

For us now we are doing no more past papers, time management etc has been practised and understood so now I just want to keep stress levels down. We are doing a few minutes a day only, a couple of maths problems or a bit of verbal reasoning etc. just to keep things ticking over. Sadly due to the particular stupidity of the schools round here DD will have to sit exams on 2 weekends in 2 different styles as one of the girls schools are not part of the local consortium of grammar schools and set their own exam. She is happy and confident whilst also understanding that she may not get in and it's ok, her take was 'well that doesn't matter, I'll still have learned loads of stuff." I wouldn't even consider putting her through it without this attitude. I think it's me that's more stressed, just hiding it!

Original poster
user153876909 · 31/08/2021 11:03

The two exams my DS is sitting is for schools that are over an hour and a bit away (we'd move if he got in and we decided to send) so what I'm most worried about is getting a morning slot in which case we'd have to be up super early to make it there with time to spare - not a great prospect. I'm trying to change his holiday sleeping routine (obviously he was sleeping later in the holidays and waking up mostly at leisure) so get him sleeping earlier etc. Need to do this for school anyway.

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CoolKitkat · 31/08/2021 12:51

Good luck to everyone for the final stretch! We're winding down in the run up to getting back to school - doing a few questions here and there on weaker areas, but trying to build up confidence more than anything (and reinforcing that the end result doesn't matter, we've learnt so much on this journey etc etc).

Focusing more now on planning something nice and fun for all of us to celebrate the end of this journey (regardless of the results) - until we do it all again for DD2!

LemonWeb · 31/08/2021 16:46

It’s grim isn’t it. Not long to go for us now, but I have told DD we’re not doing any more mock tests under exam conditions. We’ll go through practice questions together with mugs of hot chocolate, and leave it at that. I’m a bit paranoid about school starting: I don’t want her to miss the test due to Covid. Last years number of parents at her school had the children do online school for the fortnight before the test and I’m tempted to do the same. I know I need to give my head a wobble so you don’t need to tell me!

I am really looking forward to this being over. DD is very capable and stronger academically than both her brothers, who passed the teat. I just worry anyway. Confused

ElvenDreamer · 31/08/2021 16:58

@LemonWeb we do hot chocolate sessions too!

Original poster
user153876909 · 31/08/2021 17:38

@LemonWeb I'm also worried about school starting, possible covid exposure and having to isolate etc. I would have preferred to keep him home too but DS is generally anxious and missing out on the beginning of a new year would not be good for his self esteem (other kids will have settled in, friendship groups formed, rapport with new teacher etc) so I don't think we can miss out on the beginning. I might consider taking a day or two off before it to minimise some of the covid (and cold) risk.

Need to check what the latest rules regarding school bubbles - if someone in his class tests positive, does the entire class have to self isolate for 10 days?

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