Interviews at 11+

[londonartemis]

My 11 year old daughter has an interview at independent school very soon, having passed written papers. It's 20 minutes. What should she expect? Just questions about herself and her own interests to see if she is basically articulate? Or are they looking for something more - like what she thinks of Barack Obama, the credit crunch, and how she applies her current general knowledge to the wider world? Just not sure what level these schools are pitching interviews? Any thoughts anyone?!

I don't think you can generalise between schools.

It is most likely to be a getting to know you, and for the benefit of both camps.

Hi there, my daughter is 11 and we are doing the merry go round of interviews at the moment. The schools like to show a postcard with a picture and ask the girls what they think the picture is and if it is a person explain what they think the person may be feeling. My daughter has also been asked about Barack Obama and has been asked questions that test lateral thinking and logic. There has also ben quite a few mental maths questions. I wouldn't wory too much all the girls I spoke to coming out of the interviews seemed quite content and relaxed about the whole thing. Good luck.

my ds had three interviews last week at independent schools in Herts. All three were very different. First was a Catholic school - emphasis on pastoral care, getting to know DS, his interests etc. It lasted for about 30 mins. General impression - was a comfortable experience.

Second - about 1 hour. General chat then a mental maths session followed by a reading out comprehension and answering questions about story and explaining meaning of a few difficult words. General impression - tougher then 1st.

3rd - general chat about interests, sports, reading etc. Then 2 hours at the school. Intro to a classics class, then short maths test then english session. General impression - somehwere in the middle.

Just advise DD to be herself. The interview is a good way of DS working out whether a particular school is for her or not.

Good luck!

Thank you for the advice! Her interview is on Saturday. Will do the nice breakfast etc to put her in a good mood before we go!

My DS has had two interviews - both quite brief, and both seemed to be a case of getting him to chat about his interests, what he likes or dislikes about his current school and why he wants to go to that particular school. Good luck to your DD!!

as a general rule the more academically selective the school the more intellectually demanding the interview... but i dont think you really can or should try to prepare them for this.... just tell them to try to stay calm and to be themselves.... good idea for them to think up a question to ask at the end though!

DS has had 3 11+ interviews at different schools recently. One was a chat with the PE teacher about, among other things, a recent FA Cup match (about 30 minutes), one was a general chat with an English teacher about his interests and the school(15 minutes) and one was a general chat plus a couple of maths problems and an English comprehension with the Head of Maths (15 minutes). He's quite disappointed he didn't get to chat about Barack Obama or the credit crunch .

For anyone interested! - d's interview seemed fine. Short comprehension and mental maths and questions about her likes and dislikes. Nothing about wider world (from what she has told me so far!!)

glad it went well!

Have now had the results from both of DS's interviews/exams and has got into both schools! FWIW the more selective, academic of the schools had a much more straightforward interview it seems, though DS found the written paper much harder at that one. Let us know how she gets on artemis!!