the 11+ for London private schools used to be in Jan - anyone know why it's changed (a while back) to Oct/Nov?

[loveyouradvice]

Just that really - curious! Jan felt better giving state primary school kids longer to prepare/ catch up...

Which schools are switching to Oct/Nov? The ones I am aware of remain January exams.

Lots of schools brought their entrance exams forward during the pandemic as they feared losing their January dates to a sudden lockdown thus jeopardising the whole admissions process. They figured if they tried for a Nov/Dec date they might just get the exams done, and if not there was a backup opportunity in January.

Personally feel it's much better to have it earlier as it gives the children a chance to enjoy Christmas rather than dragging things out.

I agree about enjoying Christmas... but I'm very aware for state primary that those holidays give the kids a great opportunity to catch up and refine exam technique. And of course enables them to have a proper summer holidays They were invaluable for DC when they did it

@MonGrainDeSel Interesting - which ones do you know that are still Jan??

They are all pretty much November/December - happened during Covid. It was lovely being done before Christmas with only interviews post.

For girls, London Consortium have moved their exams up to end of November and beginning of December, as have NLCS, Highgate and Latymer Upper. SPGS and CLSG continue to administer their main exams (English & Math) at the beginning of January.

Highgate has held its exams in December for quite some time. AFAIK, the other schools moved their exams from January during the COVID years.

If a child/family are not ready by October for a process they know about years in advance then 2 months isn’t going to help.

I think the schools that have a multi exam process (say pre test, then written exams then interviews) have the pre test in November, the written exams in early January and the interviews in late January. That way the offers can be sent out on the last day before the February half term.

I love that @BreakingBroken - lots of primary school kids have parents that don't know if they are giong to go private or state until year 5.... and for most London private schools, its 25-50% from state primary.

And if, as we did, you have a DC in a "special measures" primary school you suddenly need to do LOTS of catching up... luckily she aced all 7, and got offered 2 scholarships but we had no idea she was that bright - nor that she would enjoy doing the exams so much.

Ha, last 2 months prep can help, esp for those late to the game. Like another poster said, some people might not decide to do the 11+ until last minute for whatever reason. So those last 2 months prior to the exams played a big role in prep for us with my eldest (since we only decided to do the 11+ end of year 5).

@loveyouradvice all children are however in school, and the consequences of not taking the tests is not suddenly being dumped on the streets. The state schools system continues. For many private is simply out of financial reach.
Despite being well aware my family in the UK didn’t apply for any scholarships and their child most likely would have earned one or two. The family unit was breaking down and simply securing a secondary option that offered some boarding as the family was in transition was a priority. Different families have different priorities and taking the 11+ isn’t on everyone’s radar. Nor available depending on where you live and travel time.
congratulations to your dd, I hope she enjoys the years to come.