11 plus support thread for exams 2024

[ElvenDreamer]

Hi all,
Anyone fancy joining me for for an 11 plus support thread for those yr 5s who are probably just starting a bit of prep now ready to sit exams in September 2024?

State grammar is the angle I'm personally coming from but all welcome no matter if you're applying to private selective, state aptitude tests etc.

This will be my 3rd and final time of going through this and I've found support threads here really useful the previous times.

Hi @user1490043295 I also have twins.

How is everyone getting on? I've just done the application for DS, it's starting to get closer isn't it!

It's crazy busy. Kids have good and bad days. Think it's a lot more pressure as it's two of them taking the test at the same time. We have to factor in if one gets through and the other one doesn't. I have DC and DS . Applications are not open yet so wilk need to wait for a few weeks. How is it going with your prep?

@user1490043295 same here, also have good days and bad days. Overall it's going ok, I just feel like I'm constantly nagging them though, it's no fun for anyone

It does feel like nagging now doesn't it, it still seems so far away to a 9/10 yr olds brain, yet it's so close really! We're slogging on. DS capable of all the maths, but is just really careless and half the time it's silly mistakes like not reading the question correctly and answering the wrong thing, meantime he's bored in school because it's all too easy. Very frustrating!

Absolutely, I keep saying to them it's only five and a half months away now, but to them that must seem such a long time!

It IS a stressful time, I've had 3 DCs go through the process! (Kent)

I'm also a tutor and my advice to all parents would be to try and be as relaxed as you can at home...if your child has a tutor and is obviously at school every day, make sure home isn't also just about studying. They need down time.

I tell all my students (aged 9 and 10) that if they don't pass it's not the end of the world.
And if they work hard at secondary - grammar or comprehensive - they will go far.

My eldest didn't pass and went to the local comp. He developed an excellent attitude to learning and went on to do extremely well at school, university and in the workplace.

My 2 younger DCs did pass the Kent test but do not have the same work ethic as their older brother and academically, they probably won't achieve the same high grades.

Good to hear this. My kid is looking at some test papers now and getting 30 - 35%... I'm on the verge of not doing it anymore but this gave me some hope thank you

My daughter does rowing in an independent school and training 6 days a week, I am so grateful that she trains at school, the boat house is at the back of the school. 3-4 early mornings a week starting at 6-6:30am is manageable even by public transport on some of the coldest winter days. She used to train in a local boat house club but the school facility is much better-outstanding, the coaching is amazing, the team is amazing. Her best friends are her rowing squad.

Music is good however indeed that it isnt as good as the Regional orchestra that she goes to(2 diplomas on 2 instruments and is just on average so she sticks to outside school orchestra because the quality of music is much better).

So overall its a mix for us.

Academic support has been amazing though, no homework in year 7, ease in from year 8. There is 1 subject that teaching was off however the rest is great. Very very happy at the current school( we had Tiffin too option too).

Are most people on here prepping by themselves and not opting for tutors? Or are you aiming for private schools/super selectives?

Just asking because we're aiming for a standard Kent grammar and this thread is making me feel like I'm not doing enough with all the talk of stress and cramming and nagging!

You could be describing my son here! 🤦🏼‍♀️

We have a tutor doing 1 hour a week and have just started Atom learning. We’re aiming for a moderately selective independent.
I’m not sure you need a tutor if you’re willing to spend time with your child going through questions, setting them practice, working out where they’re not so strong, but that said I’m very glad of our tutor.

My DD goes to a group tutoring class once a week and does the homework that's set, I don't really get her to do anything else.

Have your year 5s done CAT tests at school this year?

We have a tutor for an hour a week and there is a little homework set for that but that's it. For me having the tutor is easier as she really knows what she's doing and most importantly DS actually listens to her 😆 Definitely not cramming by any means, but the only grammars round here are super selective so we do need to cover materiel as it's not being taught in primary school.

@BarqsHasBite , painful isn't it 😄

We're also using group tutoring. I think both DC are more receptive to a "proper" tutor than they are to me. Also, it's a lot easier getting them to go to the class than doing the work at home! They both seem to quite enjoy the classes, or at least don't mind going.

Hi all, how is everyone doing? I've just made the entry this week, did it on the day the entries opened so I didn't actually forget!

Good thanks, the one of the consortiums we applied to was down for the first 30mins due to site traffic!
Made it all to real how many applications there will be…

Also not sure if anyone else has observed their DC maturing over the last couple of weeks but DC attitude has finally shifted after a couple of months of not be as enthusiastic! He gets home from school has a shower and just get on with his tutoring homework and online prep (all with no prompting from me)😭
I remember reading another parent saying this about their DC and I was thinking lucky them lol!

@PencilVania that sounds really positive, wish that was the case for us! Both of mine are still quite resistant to doing the work at home.
It's getting closer now, less than four and a half months for us. I've done the entry for DS already, for DD it opens at the end of the month.

Ooh, yes, @PencilVania the realisation of numbers hit for me when I made the application a few hours after opening time on the 2st day and the applicant number was already into the 1000s. Yes I have noticed a general maturing of DC towards the process although like @RandomUsernameHere there are definitely resistant days too. Our biggest hurdle is still consistency. Some days aces everything like a pro, others clearly doesn't bother reading the questions properly, or doesn't notice there are questions on both sides of the sheet etc. Next task is to start really thinking about a good plan B, always my least favourite part of the process. We always try to make it very positive for DC though.

Let children enjoy their childhoods!

I've just registered my DC and I'm thankful that I don't know how many others have registered! I've also noticed a shift towards enthusiasm rather than grudging tolerance towards prep, which makes my life much easier because we're prepping at home rather than using a tutor. We're using the CGP online resources so do a couple of sections he's not so keen on (nonverbal and English) then 'reward' him with a section on the areas he likes (maths and verbal reasoning).

@tiffandseb I assure you I am. My kids work hard and play very hard. There is no pressure, all extra curricular interests are continuing, they spend a ton of time exploring outside, they have screen time. they all wanted to do the 11+ so why would I throw them in unprepared. There are plenty of hours in the day, please don't assume hothousing is going on. If this thread is not to your liking then scroll on by . By having a support thread it enables the parents to have a little private stress without the kids hearing ANY of it, so they remain unpressured, happy kids.

@tiffandseb why are you even here?

Very odd coming from someone who presumably knows nothing about any of our children.