Belmont (Mill Hill) 11+ non-tutored boy. How hard to get in?

[Waterrrr7]

I am thinking of signing DS up for the 11+ at this school. He isn’t currently sitting any other 11+s. He isn’t tutored either and he goes to state school, but he just wants to go somewhere “nice” for secondary.

He is “exceeding expectations” in English and maths at his state school.

Am I mad to put him for this test and face him having to be disappointed and rejected since he’s completely unprepared?

How many children sit vs how many places?

He needs some exam technique practice, you can't expect him to sit an exam if he hasn't taken 1 before. Use a tutor to get him up to speed.

Thanks, tennis. I will look into a tutor for him - the exam is quite soon if we do it - early November! Is that enough time?

I don't know, it depends on your ds but it's unfair to expect him to know how to pace himself in an exam if he has never taken one.

Plenty of state school pupils get into belmont every year, and it is seen as one of the easier private schools to get into (although does attract a high number of candidates). A tutor will at least give your DS exposure to VR, NVR etc but you’ve left it very late to try to secure a tutor over the next few weeks.

As others have said, it is one of easier schools to get in. It attracts a high number of applicants because many see it as a 'back up'. I think there is time for your DC to get a sense of the exam format and do sufficient practice to pass. I would strongly recommend subscribing to Atom. Mill Hill uses computer-based adaptive tests, I think, and you can practice those on Atom. Atom will also give you an indication of where you DC's scores in the practice tests rank, compared to other applicants for Mill Hill. Given that your DC is exceeding expectations, I would think that one month of daily practice on Atom will give him a fair chance to pass at Mill Hill. It would be a much different story for the more competitive schools - I'd say it would be extremely unlikely.

I would also add that I am not sure what you mean when you say a nice secondary. There are lots of well regarded state schools locally to Mill Hill that get excellent results.

Thank you this is all super helpful! I will look at Atom now and get on it all.

This all came from looking around our local school (we don’t live in Mill Hill so wouldn’t be looking at any of those state schools - not in catchment) and DS not liking it (me neither tbh) and him saying he doesn’t want to go there and has heard stories about bullying etc. I don’t doubt that our local school would be fine, but I am willing to have a look and try for something else just in case it works out!

Good luck but please remember there is bullying in ALL schools!

Mill Hill uses computer-based adaptive tests

If you are going to get a tutor, get an Atom tutor as they specialise in exam technique for the computer based tests. A "normal" tutor does not have this expertise.