Applying for sixth form (private school) - entrance exams

[activedrtf]

I understand that private schools have different rules, but in general, can anyone explain me how the entrance exams works?

Do you just have to sit exam for the subjects you will study? Or is it maths, english and science? What about verbal and non verbal reasoning, do you have to do it too?

The private school my dc is applying for doesn't have much info, should I contact them?

Each school sets it own entrance criteria so you need to call them and ask.

There can typically be subject specific exams, or exams in maths, English and general essay question, subject interviews and requirements for certain grades at GCSE.

Assuming this is the UK I'm surprised they would bother-they go on GCSE results, surely? If they have just done a load of exams which will prove how well they do in these subjects, what would be the point?

DD took exams for her scholarship application. All applicants did English, Maths and VR/NVR. They then chose an aptitude paper relating to one of their likely A level subjects.

We’re in London and the selective independent schools are over subscribed with candidates who achieve the required GCSE results, so to differentiate candidates based on academic ability they set own exams. My dd got 7 9s, 2 8s and a 7 at GCSE but wasn’t good enough to be even invited for interview based on her performance in the 6th form entrance exam.

My DD had to pick 4 potential a level subjects. She could choose to do exams in 2, and had face to face interviews for the other 2. She also had a critical thinking exam and a general interview. She also required at least 6 x 7s+ at GCSE. This was for selective indy in London.

The school had a special open evening at the very beginning of September when we could look round the school and attend presentations on a levels we were interested in. The entrance process was clearly explained then.

My dd had to do exams in each of the subjects she was planning to do for A levels. There was then an interview process for people who got through the first stage. The exams were in November, and offers in January or February I think. Offers are conditional on GCSE results.

Similarly, my DS had to choose the three subjects he wanted to take exams in (being three subjects he planned to take for A level). Then if they did well enough in the exams they were invited for interview. Part of the interview was to show them at least one of their exams and teach them one/some of the questions they got wrong and see how they learnt. They couldn't do it on GCSE results, because the exams and offer of a place were done early in Year 11, but the offer was conditional on a certain level of GCSE results (a minimum of six 8s I think, including a minimum of 8s in the subjects he was doing for A level, and a minimum of 7s in English if he wasn't doing it for A level - might have been the same for maths, except that my DS wanted to do that at A level).

We've just been through this last year, but it was still covid restrictions so some handled it differently.
All selective schools with sixth form (as opposed to a sixth form college).
All schools looked at predicted GCSE grades first and if good enough you were then invited for exam/extra submitted work and or interview. All in the subjects you intend to study, and present a portfolio if art.
One school my daughter (actually the relevant teachers) had to submit a history essay for History, an experiment write up for Biology (in a different format than what she was used to but her teacher explained what she needed to do and looked it over before submitting it) and her portfolio for art, instead of sitting exams. Then an interview.
Second school, due to restrictions, just did an interview (normally would do an exam in her chosen subjects and a general math/English one).
Last school she had to travel to the school (during lockdown!) to sit exams in her subjects, then an interview.
So first hurdle is predicted GCSEs, then exams in their A level subjects, possible math and English too, then if thru that an interview. The exception would be if it was a subject the child did not study at GCSE (like psychology) where they either asked for an essay in another subject or just went on the other work/exam.

Jesus @QGMum that's rough! do you mind me asking which school?!

@scissorsandsellotape It was King’s College School