11 plus support thread

[user153876909]

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?

Presumably if a child is ill they get a chance to take the exam at a later date? I hadn't even really thought about that

Gosh I hope so, that just adds a whole new level of stress 😬

Yes, the exam date can be postponed I think if you have a doctor's note. Though, really hope it doesn't come to that - too much stress/hassle.

We got DS's mock exam results back today, he seems to have done better in English but not so well in Maths (Maths was the stronger subject). The paper wasn't too difficult but it was time pressurised. I think quite a bit of it might be nerves. I might try to get him to repeat the maths test at home to see whether it's a timing issue or nerves or weakness in some area.

DS said he was nervous in the mock and someone near him was in a very squeaky chair and it was really distracting for him. He works under much more distracting conditions at home (has a boisterous little brother who is always around).

Anyhow, assuming it is nerves (and I think a significant part of it might be), any tips on how to support them on this? This is the first big 'exam' they've done I suspect. I've already told him many times that it's not a make or break, there are lots of other good options for schools.

Daughter was so excited to start her school as the senior most year Bless her. It took the stress away nicely 😍. Will do one home mock tomorrow and then just 10 mins test over the week. Hope for the best everyone !!

How are children getting on with the time pressure? My son is struggling to complete the specimen papers/practice tests in the time available and just doesn't have time to answer all the questions. Our area does the CEM tests.

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?

Children don't need to isolate now if a classmate tests positive, but are asked to take a PCR test.

We have CEM tests for one of our tests and my understanding is they deliberately set way too many questions, it's about working swiftly and accurately of course to get as many done as you can. They are hard, and frankly ot depends on DDs mental state on any given day!

My DD is taking the 11+ in a couple of weeks, Essex area.

She did two mocks at school and did miserably in both.

I sat down with her and we discussed how she was panicking and not even attempting most of the maths questions.

So we did short timed 15min sessions, using a random number generator to pick a question from an old (free) paper. She started realising she could do most of it after all.

I think she’s clever enough to pass, but if she stresses out on the day it won’t go well.

Meanwhile, all around us everyone is tutoring like mad.

One mum paid for extra papers, kindly photocopied them for me but we haven’t had a chance (made time) to look at them over the holidays.

DD has been on activity weeks, we’ve had distant family visiting and she spent a week at her grandparents. She has some sessions before school starts tomorrow and Tuesday and I know school will be on it for the next few weeks (private so geared towards the process).

I think my main job now is to keep her relaxed and happy about it all.

If she passes, it’s a mile walk in one direction to the grammar.
If she doesn’t, it’s a mile the other way for the non-grammar.

Either way, not long Til it’s over!

Keeping them relaxed is definitely the way to go now - that and a good night's sleep will probably make the biggest difference to their performance on the day from now till the exams, more than any last minute cramming.

We got the timings for one of the exams and have to get to the school by 8:30 am which means DS has to get up very early (much earlier than he's used to ) and we have to trek it across London, so we're trying to get him to sleep a little bit earlier every day this week so he's not so groggy when he's woken up early on exam day. A good night's sleep and not being too stressed/anxious/nervous will have the biggest impact now. I've also booked a couple of outings for me and DS before the exams, so that should help with the relaxation.

Time wise, DD is fine with the English paper but usually struggles to finish the Maths, needing around an extra 10 minutes at home. Interestingly before the mock, her tutor said that they would be unlikely to finish the maths in time so I guess it is designed that way.

DS's test is at 8:30am too and we'll need to leave in plenty of time, as the town where the school is is likely to be very busy. There is a girls' school in the same town that also has its test on the same day.

We will just do a few more practice papers to try and improve on speed, but that's about all we can do now. I will be relieved when it's over! Good luck to everyone taking the test.

Bloody hated the 11+ process when I was in year 6. I probably found it more stressful than A-levels. And now I think about how there must have been people who did way better than me in those exams, had been to all the prep schools since they were 3, and then failed their GCSEs or got expelled or something. I didn't get into a single one of them, but 7 years after that I got into Imperial.

So reading about over-obsessive parents bringing in every tutor and exam paper and psychiatrist under the sun like it's the goddamn Avengers, it just makes me laugh, if in a sad way. I'm quite glad that my mum didn't know anyone else whose children were doing 11+.

strythiolu

There's a lot riding on this so it's difficult not to become a little obsessive. If DD passes she will be going to the best school in our city and it's even within walking distance. If she doesn't, we have a selection of comprehensives which are all rated as needing improvement. It's great that you did so well despite not passing, but where realistically does my DD have the best chance of success?

She is also on the autism pathway and socially I think a girls' grammar will suit her better than a mixed comprehensive.

I actually went to the same school and nobody failed their GCSEs or was expelled! It's the best environment for a bright child imo so yeah, I'm taking it seriously.

Well, test weekend 1 of 2 is now done for us. (CEM style, CSSE is next weekend.) DH took DD thankfully as apparently parking was utter carnage, hundreds of parents just abandoning their cars in the roads for miles around. I'd have been in a blind panic which would not have helped! She came out feeling ok, not completed every single question and clearly exhausted but happy, and now looking forward to next weekend. She quite enjoyed the experience overall and thoroughly enjoyed herself people watching in the break and wondering if she might be seeing any of the girls again as classmates!

Yep Yep 1 over. CEM style. We went their with lot of time in hand. Though not very far from the venue. DD really enjoyed the experience. We gave her a snack for the break time but that was not allowed in. Just given a biscuit inside. Two would have been better :-)

Crickey I'll be bloody glad when this is behind us. We have our first on Friday.

This time next week it’ll be over, can’t wait!

Went through some maths today with Dd (she chose to, I didn’t make her), and if I’m honest, she was terrible 🙄😂

If she’s like that on the day, there’s no hope at all of passing.
Luckily our Plan B school is also in walking distance and is a good school with a grammar stream for passers & near-misses.

After today, I’m wondering if she’ll make into the near miss though!

Hey ho, what will be will be…. 🍷

First exam on Tuesday - another one who can’t wait til it’s over. Really think it comes down to the day just hope dd brings her A game because sometimes she veers wildly off course for no apparent reason 😧😬🤣 bring on the other side.

Hi, anyone from Solihull, West Midlands, who has their son give the 11 plus from Warwickshire catchment last year I.e. Sep 2021 entry? Did they get into KES Stratford and if so, would you be willing to share their score? My son gave his exam for next year's entry, and am looking at KES Stratford as first choice but since there are priority circles involved, I'd like to know if there is a realistic chance that he will get a place or is Alcster the only option?

@Lockdowndramaqueen

First exam on Tuesday - another one who can’t wait til it’s over. Really think it comes down to the day just hope dd brings her A game because sometimes she veers wildly off course for no apparent reason 😧😬🤣 bring on the other side.

Absolutely. All I want is for to come out happy, because if she does, then all is well! Best of luck!

*her to come out happy...

Well quite! Good luck @BumbledBee hope it all goes well.

Yes good luck everyone, here's hoping for happy relaxed kids, and what will be, will be. (Horrid phrase, but DH keeps using it to calm me down, it doesn't work, and now I've caught the habit 🤣) All over soon. We've agreed with my daughter that we're not even going to tell her when the marks come out, that way, for her, it's all over on Saturday and she can just forget about it. Also she has a friend doing it too and this way they can't discuss marks, DD would feel terrible for her friend if they got lower scores, and terrible for herself if she was the one who got lower, so this way we remove all that as she'll be able to honestly say she doesn't know!

Slightly on edge that son will get COVID before Saturday! It’s rife in his and his brother’s school. I know he could do it later but want it over with!

I keep saying what will be, will be too! And singing the song 🙄

Meanwhile, eldest DS had a faint positive on an LFT.
Went for a pcr this morning, waiting now….

Will have to keep him and DD apart, but what if it’s too late and she’s already got it? Stress.

@WithCatLikeTread

I keep saying what will be, will be too! And singing the song 🙄

Meanwhile, eldest DS had a faint positive on an LFT.
Went for a pcr this morning, waiting now….

Will have to keep him and DD apart, but what if it’s too late and she’s already got it? Stress.

oooooooo hope everything ok at your end. Lots and lots of luck.