I have many years experience of tutoring children for secondary school selection tests, including the 11+ and grammar school entry exams.
Secondary Schools use exams for several reasons; to ensure that children of differing abilities are represented in the school intake, and to select the most able academically. Children will benefit from practising for these tests so that they will know what to expect when they sit them.
Benefits of practice
Practise will help your child become familiar with different types of question. And need to understand what is required of them.
It will give them confidence so that they can override nerves when they come to the exam, and rely on precious experience.
The child will work more quickly and is likely to make fewer mistakes.
They will learn exam technique by working under a time constriction, and they will be able to answer a given number of questions in a set time. They will not dwell on questions they are unsure of but move on and they revisit them at the end, thus gaining maximum marks;
How to decide what your child needs.
Ability
There are as many different needs as there are children, but to help you decide here are some general guidelines. Ideally children should start work on the chosen subjects as early as Year 4 in order to build their skills and understanding. However, if you feel they are able and /or you are also working with them you can bring them at the start of Year 5 or at the time you feel you need some professional input. I will also run intensive courses over the summer holidays.
Options
In assessing what your child needs from a tutor, you need to consider what subjects you want tuition in. For example, if you book one lesson a week bear in mind that with four subjects, maths for example will be taught once a in every four lessons. This may be fine if you child needs some fine tuning but you may need to consider two lessons a week to cover all the subjects. use tutor time for the weaker subjects.
The process of assessment can help you decide which is best for you.
The process of preparation:
1. Children work on tests appropriate to their age and ability in the chosen subjects. They learn the different types of questions they will need to answer
2. Children work at their own pace and level and go over corrections with the teacher to ensure understanding and reinforcement
3. Moving to timed tests, giving the child a measurement of success and necessary speed.
4. Using exam techniques to gain marks and avoid stress.
Assessment
I can provide an in depth assessment which will give you an idea of whether your child has a good chance of succeeding in a test which is aimed at the most academic children. Similarly if the school test is to obtain a good cross-section of abilities it could be useful for you to know what your child can achieve and where his or her weak areas are.
This can be a one off test covering Maths and English, verbal and non verbal reasoning and will lasts 2 hours on a Saturday. Your child may be alone or in a group of four. The cost is £40. If you then decide to book a course of lessons you will receive a £10 discount.
Group and individual lessons
The cost of an individual lesson is £25 and the group lesson is £14. I have four in a group and the work is set individually. All children receive help in rotation in the one hour. Consult me for class times.
