11+ assessments - how to prepare when schools are doing different tests?

[Bunnycat101]

my daughter is in year 4 so we have a little bit of time but I’ve started looking at the 11 plus assessments for the schools we’re interested in and was surprised that their all different. It’s making me think I need to drop down the number we actually apply to or my daughter would constantly be doing assessments. But how on earth do you prepare if they all use different systems? Are they actually all pretty similar but packaged up as different brands?

school 1: English, maths, science and verbal reasoning

school 2: CEM plus interview

school 3: ISEB common pre-test

school 4: English, maths, non-verbal reasoning plus interview

school 5; cat4

For my dd, we decided to do the 11+ a little late (end of year 5) so we prepared for one exam (for 4 schools) and end of summer I realized the school switched exams so we were not even preparing for the correct exam. But it was similar to the new exam. Anyway, for her it was fine, and she passed all. The exams cover the same curriculum, but can very in difficultness, length etc. And sometimes getting into the schools can be a matter of raising your score a couple points, which is why preparing for a particular exam can make a difference.

Now for my ds, we had more time, and he is applying to 5 different schools with different exams and we are struggling trying to juggle prep for the different exams.

They're all going to be testing similar things:

1. Mathematical understanding/knowledge - so basically make sure they can do the stuff on the KS2 syllabus.
2. SPAG knowledge - again, KS2 syllabus.
3. Writing ability. Most want them to write a piece 1.5 A4 sides in length in about 40 mins.

How all this stuff is tested does vary though, so you find out what each individual test is like and do a few practice tests or questions specifically designed like their test. Remind them before they go in that in this test it will be 30mins maths and then 45 mins English, not 40 like they did generic practice for.

Some school focus on speed and accuracy in solving maths questions, whilst some others lean on in-depth understanding/mastery of maths concepts and relationships. Some use computer based tests, whilst others use paper based requiring lots of writing - showing workings or organising your thoughts to express in paper.

You do need to prioritise the intended schools and find out the format and focus of each. Organising the preparation based on your priorities. Sometimes, if you are alright for the most difficult ones, your capability automatically help you pass the less difficult ones. But it's not guaranteed.

There’s still plenty of time to prepare from Year 4. By next year your DC should become familiar with the adaptive ( ISBE tests) versus the non-adaptive online (CEM tests and etc) as they have different exam techniques.

This is all so helpful thank you! I was totally overwhelmed seeing how different they all seem to be. I’ve got open days coming up so will try and get a bit more intel on what they’re really looking for and will did put the curriculum requirements. Do you effectively have to teach year 6 by the autumn?

For the most competitive ones, yes you need to teach y6 by the autumn, especially with Maths. There will be things like basic algebra and angles in a triangle that they need to have a grasp of. My son's state primary school only taught the more complex topics in a basic way a couple of weeks before the SATs because they were prioritising perfection on the easier topics.