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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

11 plus support thread for exams 2024

638 replies

ElvenDreamer · 11/10/2023 08:55

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.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
pocketpairs · 16/09/2024 19:17

Sushiandsashimi · 16/09/2024 15:17

My child sat the Birmingham exams and couldn’t finish all of the NVR due to time. I feel so disappointed as my child has worked so hard but just not fast enough for the NVR. Does anyone else feel the same way?

Edited

Yes, think timings were an issue for many children. My DC didn't complete either. How did they do is rest of exam?

peacypops · 16/09/2024 19:46

Trafford consortium today for us and all good. Just the wait for results now which is always tough.

Sushiandsashimi · 16/09/2024 20:13

pocketpairs · 16/09/2024 19:17

Yes, think timings were an issue for many children. My DC didn't complete either. How did they do is rest of exam?

Show quote history

I think the rest of the exam was fine except the NVR timings. I know it’s my issue and DC is totally fine about it all.

Examstressargh · 16/09/2024 22:14

We sat Trafford too today, struggled with timing on NVR so I’m worried she’s out 😢

pocketpairs · 16/09/2024 22:54

Examstressargh · 16/09/2024 22:14

We sat Trafford too today, struggled with timing on NVR so I’m worried she’s out 😢

Maybe it's not that bad. DC guessed 6 NVR in total (out of 24), as ran out of time. Min 1/6 (out of 24) will probably be guessed correctly. As long as do well in other sections, not a disaster imo. If you get 50% guess rate, becomes more of an issue.

Chipsandcrisps · 17/09/2024 07:19

Sushiandsashimi · 16/09/2024 15:17

My child sat the Birmingham exams and couldn’t finish all of the NVR due to time. I feel so disappointed as my child has worked so hard but just not fast enough for the NVR. Does anyone else feel the same way?

Edited

My little one sat the exam in Birmingham too. They completed the NVR but had to guess on the VR as it completely through him! General feedback from peers is similar, that they had to guess a few on some sections as time ran out. I wonder if it was made particularly difficult this year with more private students applying due to increased VAT on fees

Examstressargh · 17/09/2024 11:08

There does seem to be an extremely high level
of applications this year unfortunately

troppibambini6 · 17/09/2024 11:30

@Examstressargh the NVR got a lot of them. No one was expecting 3 minute sections. I spoke to my son's tutor last night and he said a lot of kids found it challenging. So you never know... fingers crossed for your dd.

Danascully2 · 17/09/2024 11:42

I wish we had found this thread a year ago! Will look out for an equivalent when we come to younger sibling in a couple of years...

Danascully2 · 17/09/2024 11:47

We did home practice plus paid for website rather than a tutor, I think he was more or less there in terms of level by the end so mainly down to luck on the day, I didnt ask him too much about it afterwards as wanted to move on.

peacypops · 17/09/2024 14:47

Feedback from our tutor today (Trafford) was that pupils generally happy with both the VR and NVR question types.

Wolfie88 · 17/09/2024 15:17

DC told me they saw a child using a ruler in yesterday’s Trafford exam. I thought they weren’t allowed?

pocketpairs · 17/09/2024 15:32

troppibambini6 · 17/09/2024 11:30

@Examstressargh the NVR got a lot of them. No one was expecting 3 minute sections. I spoke to my son's tutor last night and he said a lot of kids found it challenging. So you never know... fingers crossed for your dd.

Surprised no one expected 3 min sections, as they had same thing last year.

pocketpairs · 17/09/2024 15:38

Also, think if we think of the normal distribution curve, think there will be many clustered around 222-226, so a couple of marks will make a huge difference, so luck will probably play a big factor for marginal candidates needing to meet priority score.

troppibambini6 · 17/09/2024 16:42

@pocketpairs oh that's interesting. He gave me the impression it's was a new thing.

Worth remembering for next year when the next one sits it.

pocketpairs · 17/09/2024 16:51

troppibambini6 · 17/09/2024 16:42

@pocketpairs oh that's interesting. He gave me the impression it's was a new thing.

Worth remembering for next year when the next one sits it.

Sutton Tutorial (based in Bham) include this format in their mock exams. Not sure how much help practicing does though, as you have 22 seconds to find answer including writing it down. I just advised my DS to just answer as much as possible correctly. He could never do the full 8.

troppibambini6 · 17/09/2024 17:07

Oh that's good to know thank you for the info.

To be honest after yesterday not sure it would be right for the next ds. I might just put him in for Ambrose I will see how the year progresses.

Examstressargh · 18/09/2024 08:58

@peacypops im also Trafford and I have heard the opposite from our tutor 🫣

peacypops · 18/09/2024 09:54

@Examstressargh ahh really. Who knows hey! My child said that nothing unexpected came up that they hadn't covered in tuition and they managed to complete everything. From experience I think it's very hard to gauge though. My eldest did the test some years ago and came out very deflated but got really high scores. Middle child thought it was ok and only just got through!

slaybell · 18/09/2024 11:34

Also Trafford here.

DD came out feeling confident and saying it was easier than the mocks she'd done both at home and with her tutor.

Fingers crossed for everyone r

troppibambini6 · 18/09/2024 15:09

@peachypops it's so hard to tell isn't it?!!

Three years ago Dds friend came out saying it went really well and wasn't too bad.... hardly anyone even got close to the pass mark!

Dd1 came out saying it was really hard and flew through.

I suppose it's just a case of wait and see. I feel like this week is dragging I just want Friday to be heat and it all to be over!

troppibambini6 · 18/09/2024 15:09

Friends

FrenchieMum2Be · 18/09/2024 17:26

Exam is this weekend in our area. Good luck to all the children taking part!

yoshiblue · 18/09/2024 17:33

I'm with you @troppibambini6 I'm having some fizz to celebrate and have also booked a solo spa day in a few days to reward myself for the work I've done, let alone my son! 😂

troppibambini6 · 18/09/2024 21:33

@yoshiblue spa day sounds amazing!

A friend had booked a golf/ football/ bar place for all the kids and parents on Friday and I will certainly be having a glass or two!