Exam Day

We're just back from exam day at Nonsuch Grammar schoold for Girls, and I don't know how it usually goes, or if it is chaotic every year (it probably is), but it was chaotic.

Here's some tips from lessons learned today.

1) Send your child with spare water/snack. My daughter was due to finish her tests today at 2.15, but actually came out at 3.30. As she was in there and ready at 11.30 she had not eaten lunch before hand, but had only had breakfast and a light snack. As it was when she came out, she wasn't absolutely starving. But, if your child is used to a set lunch time or does not work well when hungry the extra snack could be handy. It's no fun trying to work when you're thinking about lunch.

2) I asked my daughter whether she had any advice she would give to another child about to sit a test, it was 'time goes fast'. Enough said there I think. Ensure your child gets used to working at speed. Also try and avoid answering questions in a set pattern, eg for non-verbal reasoning. Mix up the time element Vs number of questions element when you run through the tests at home.

Often the tests, and I refer to non-verbal reasoning  again here, are designed so that not all children will be able to answer all of the questions in the time given. Your aim then is to ensure your child works quickly and systematically with the aim of completing as many questions as possible in the time allowed.

3) Plan your journey. As it was the traffic was fine, as was the parking. It's just one less stressful thing to think about on the day.

4) Don't question your child too much after the test. At the end of the day, you will NEVER get the individual tests results, only a pass or fail indication, so is it really worth at this point nit-picking over whether the answer to a certain question is 'Verb' or 'Adverb' etc.

5) Take these lessons learned and plan for your next test. My daughter has Non-Verbal reasoning and comprehension out of the way, but another Verbal Reasoning and 'the dreaded Maths' to come.  She now knows to work a little faster next time.

Good Luck everyone if you are testing this week.

11pluswot.co.uk

One site that I know that other tutors use is www.11plusswot.co.uk

This link gives a good overview about the history of grammar schools and the subjects that are tested if you are new to the grammar school merry-go-round..

http://www.11plusswot.co.uk/About11.aspx
Check it out !

Just getting started in September ?

It's September and a new school year. Time for all those currently in year 5 to begin their 11+ journey.

Here is a maths website designed for year 6 students which will help you on your way with your Maths journey. http://uk.ixl.com/math/year-6

Enjoy!

Good Luck !

Good Luck to all the children out there who are sitting their 11+ exams over the next few weeks.