Advice please - 11+ prep fail

[Parentingfrontline]

Hi all. Hoping for some strategic advice. DC just took the 11+ test for a North London independent. We prepared them for a paper English and maths test in line with the format 2 years ago when our eldest took the test. Consequently DC showed up to find a completely different exam: computer-based adaptive maths, verbal reasoning, non VR, reading comprehension and puzzles.

While exam info was on the website, none of the preparatory emails pointed to this change and we couldn’t attend the 11+ info day. DC hasn’t taken other independent school entrance exams therefore they sat the test unprepared for the format.

DC is very able (greater depth across the board in their state primary) and took it in their stride but says they were held back in the maths - didn’t realise you couldn’t go back to questions etc. VR / non VR prep was minimal, just the usual Y6 CAT tests they took at school.

I’m gutted to have let them down- inevitably DC was at a disadvantage. So I’m wondering whether to contact the school and explain, at the risk of coming across as slack parents (usually we aren’t, although life, work, everything has been very intense in our family of late). Parents with children already at the school point to high expectations of parents as well as students.

Or, do we keep quiet and hope for the best? Not having practised on a computer test platform previously, it’s hard to say how DC performed.

Thanks so much for your thoughts.

if your DC is able to pass the 11+ they will.
if they aren't, they won't

That's partly true but independent schools are needing to set tests suitable for some heavily tutored children and lack of familiarity with the tests will slow a child down compared to the well prepared. It could well affect how they score compared with other children; it's not a question of passing but of doing well enough compared with others. The school may give consideration to the state school background as there would likely be less practice time and coaching than in a prep school (though they may just assume everyone is tutored outside of school). Difficult to know whether to approach the school OP.

That's such an inaccurate statement. Exam technique and knowing that you can't go back to computer questions etc is very important and it's very unfair on the child to be at a disadvantage to those who knew and prepared for the correct exam format.

Nothing to lose by contacting the school, but I don't think they can do anything at this stage.

Sorry this is on you. I don’t see the school making allowances because you didn’t prep properly. How is that fair towards the other children?
we are doing 11+ in a year and I am astonished you didn’t look up the system they use and prep for NVR for example. Even a quick google search could have helped here, and there are lots of 11+ fb groups with information on each school. Fingers crossed DC will still get an offer or an offer from
a different school.

Yikes, I feel your pain. Always best to check in case any changes are made to exam format. They will always say on the website. I made a similar mistake, as in the past the school used ISEB and then I realised last minute they switched exam type to the one you describe. I was lucky in that the exam was similar format of online and not being able to go back....so dd was not thrown. We just hoped for the best for the two new additional components.

I don't think the school will care if you made a mistake, all schools say no prep is needed for their exams (total BS!).

You say your elder DC took the exam 2 years ago. Are they at the school?

If so, then yes I think it is worth having a word. Even if no formal sibling policy, the from a pool of borderline candidates, they may well look favourably on the younger sibling of a pupil they know and like. This may not help if your younger DC was a long way adrift.

Firstly, my heart goes out to you. If you have another child at the school, it might be worth contacting them as you already have a relationship with them. But if not, in all honesty, I would keep quiet and hope for the best. Contacting them won't make any difference as they will point to the information on the website and the fact that the exams are designed to avoid heavy tutoring and test natural aptitude (whether this statement is true is a whole other argument!).

If it helps at all, DD sat for a north London indie this week which sounds remarkably like the one your child did. And I don't know what on earth she answered in the persuasive writing section but it certainly wasn't the question I've since found out she was supposed to answer. It was definitely an 'OH NO' moment for me as we really want the school but there's nothing to be done but clench the buttocks and hope for the best now. Sending good luck to you!

Is your eldest currently a pupil at the school? You mentioned them passing the test, but not whether they took up a place. If they are a pupil, I would mention it, although it’s a bit embarrassing to admit you didn’t read the guidance. Otherwise, I don’t think you will get anywhere. Some schools spend a lot of effort trying to design a test that measures ability rather than those that have been prepped and tutored for the test.

Since DC only took 1 exam set for only this school, one suggestion as you wait for interview/offer email is to look at what school you can apply for DC now or backup plan B. Does the independent have occasional offers?

I really wouldn’t contact the school as I think you’ll look a bit silly. Pretty much everyone else will have read the website and prepared accordingly. What would you expect them to do as well? It’s not like they can sit a whole other entrance test in the same format as the one you were expecting.

However, as the previous poster wrote, an able child would still be able to do very well in these kinds of tests even without targeted preparation. I speak from experience with two children who weren’t tutored for the grammar 11+ and passed with flying colours - one of whom has also just got sixth form places at two of the “big name” academic London day schools. Again not tutored - in fact went into it totally blind as they wanted to prove to themselves they could do it without any help.

Parents get into such a tizz about tutoring and prep and forget that kids are actually quite good at thinking on their feet. Also, the reference from their current school is often given decent weighting and from the sounds of it they will have said great things about them.

If your child is upset about it, worried, or otherwise adversely affected then concentrate on their feelings and manage expectations. You may have a nice surprise and get in after all. If you don’t then you’ve just been redirected.

Honestly making sure he passed the test was clearly not a priority for you. If you contact the school now, what are you really going to say?

I mean if you were bothered about him passing, you could have found the exam info on the website "While exam info was on the website, none of the preparatory emails pointed to this change" AND made it a priority to attend the 11+ info day.

@

Based on what you’ve said, it sounds like you’re talking about the 11+ consortium exam. They have a sample exam available on their website that you can take a look at. Even if it’s a different exam, they usually share past papers, so it’s just a matter of digging deeper into the internet’s archives. It might be a bit tricky for people who mostly rely on offline content, but I’m sure with this experience, you can get ready for the 13+ exam and do better.

Feel bad for your DC, but this is on you, sorry! If you are that bothered about them passing, it's your job to do the full research. I don't think contacting the school will help - it's not their problem you didn't look at the website fully.
Hopefully your Dc will pass anyway- a suitable child should manage it regardless of prep.

A while ago now but thanks for the responses, especially the compassionate ones.

In the end we said nothing and DC was offered a scholarship. Which for me, speaks to a process aimed at finding raw ability and - just maybe - the value of not being overinvested in the 11+ process.

Congrats @Parentingfrontline that’s fantastic news! I’ll remind myself of this when it comes to DD2 in a couple of years 🤣.