Why does the 11plus create so much trauma?

[sykes]

I presume it's because there are less grammar schools? But when I passed it, years ago, you just did it. So, is that it? Less places? I do understand that but it seems worse than cramming for CEE.

[Havenamechangedtostayanonymous]

DD has to re-do her test for the local grammar as a tutor had got hold of the papers beforehand! There's about 6-7 applicants per place here so not horrendous but hardly great chances!

[3littlefrogs]

Last year some tutors had got hold of the papers and some children came out of the exam saying they had seen it the previous week. It is shocking that tutors would stoop to this - charging a small fortune for months or sometimes years of tutoring, then cheating. Some people have no morals.

[BodenGroupie]

Sykes, dd1 didn't have coaching of any sort - I was worried that if she needed coaching to get in she might struggle once she was there. That was three years ago but things seem to be a lot more competitive now. It wouldn't have been the end of the world if she'd not passed cos our local comp is fine - we had no grandma to sell, FF!

[MrsGuyOfGisbourne]

I think the coaching just helps with exam technique - don't believe
you can 'coach' a child to answer the questions if they are not bright enough. But perhaps it would be fairer if there were NO advance info and they just changed the format each year - eg one year maths and comprehension, next verbal or non verbal etc, with no clues as what it will be or which exam board will be setting the questions - eg NFER etc?

[3littlefrogs]

Just filled in the form for 3rd choice - 1800 applicants for 120 places last year. sigh.