11+

Does it sound too young for exams?! Eleven plus may feel early to embark on major exams but children will constantly surprise us with just how much they can achieve. Presenting the preparation as a challenge and making each stage of learning and revising as engaging, purposeful and positive as possible is an effective skill in itself. Prep School Tutor prides itself on its approach, working with children to attain transferrable knowledge, addressing their needs through personalised tutorials and, crucially, always keeping the end goal in sight.

Across the UK, the application process for senior school varies considerably. Be aware that, while we might expect an 11+ entry in certain schools, it is more and more common for major public schools to have 11+ pre-tests. This means that children are assessed in Year 6 (aged 10-11) with a view to receiving a conditional offer for entry at 13+. They will still have to pass their Common Entrance at 13+ but the 11+ pre-tests have become a prerequisite for a growing number of independent schools. Generally, the 11+ entrance and pre-test examinations consist of a combination of two or more of the following subjects: English, Mathematics, Non-verbal Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning. Some schools include Science as part of the requirement so it is always advisable to check the detail with the school in question or ask us and we can do this for you.

13+

Panic not! Each child will react differently to the pressures of exam preparation; whether aiming for Common Entrance or Scholarship, these exams are a huge undertaking; it’s quite normal to want a little help along the way. Some may hit the books ardently from the outset, some may concentrate on the minutiae of the revision plan, and others may simply go into denial and hide. Some may want their parent’s help with every detail; others may prefer to keep them at arm’s length; all understandable. Regardless of the reaction, the key to success at 13 plus is a combination of knowledge, strategy and nerve!

13+ exams are taken in Year 8 (age 12-13) either in the Autumn, Spring or Summer. The target school will let you know when they wish their Common Entrance papers to be sat but the Spring and Summer terms are more usual. Do check the timing with the school directly though or ask us and we can find out for you. In terms of 13+ Scholarship exams, these can be taken as well as or, indeed, instead of 13+ Common Entrance. Typically, scholarship exams fall earlier in the year than Common Entrance, giving a student the opportunity to prepare for both if necessary. Some of the major public schools opt for the Common Academic Scholarship papers set by the Independent School Examinations Board (ISEB). However, many choose to set their own specific papers and the levels will vary depending on the school. In terms of timing, the majority of public schools hold their Scholarship exams towards the end of January or in early May. If a child wins a scholarship, they are generally exempt from the final 13+ Common Entrance Exam.

GCSE

Rightly or wrongly, many independent schools are introducing (I)GCSE-style tasks earlier into their Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8 and 9) schemes of work. Their aim is to bed-in the skills needed for their students to be successful throughout Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11) and its ultimate goal, the public (I)GCSE examinations.

If this sounds daunting, Prep School Tutors can, in the first instance, help make the transition from KS3 to KS4 as smooth as possible. Our 1-to-1 sessions are carefully differentiated and use expertly created resources that are simultaneously age-appropriate, enjoyable and challenging. With the continued support of Prep School Tutors throughout the (I)GCSE courses, students will hone the skills needed to enjoy their learning, be successful, and develop the confidence needed to approach their school work and public examinations. Our (I)GCSE tutors have extensive experience of teaching a wide variety of subjects up to (I)GCSE level, and in line with the specifications for all the major public examination boards. Whether it is to cover course content or design activities to practise the necessary and examined skills, Prep School Tutors can provide the personalised support that any student needs to succeed.

Get in Touch

If you are interested in online tuition or simply have questions, do call +44 (0) 7899 893687 or email [email protected].
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