brum_mum wrote:
Hi all,
First of thank you for all of the invaluable advice on this forum. It's been my reading staple for the last few weeks.
I wanted some advice regarding how to improve ds scores. We never intended to do the 11plus, but his teacher mentioned we should try him, so in April we got him do a mock with an external provider (Shirley based) and his score they mentioned was a score, which based on last year, meant that he was highly likely to get a place in a grammar school. From this we were encouraged to try for the real deal have been doing some weekly work prepping for it and have registered.
I know his weakness is vocabulary and spellings. Also, although very strong in maths, he sometimes completely misjudges or doesn't know how to approach answering a question. How we have been preparing is by using spelling workbooks, comprehension texts, vocabulary lists, and mental maths and general maths topics that I know he still hasn't covered at school eg algebra and certain types of graphs, and co-ordinates.
The only time we have is a couple of hours on Saturday and about one hour two other times a week. He is also reading alot. And I have also started reading to him before bedtime the classics that he's happy to listen to but not read himself. I feel all of this has really established a good general foundation for his education. So its not been time and effort wasted in that sense.
However, we have started to do some mocks at home (letts) and the cgp 10minute tests. And he is always averaging in the 60s percentage anywhere from 60-69%.
It hasn't budged since April and I'm worried that he is just going to be stuck in the 60s up untill September!
Only a couple of months left till the main exam, I'm thinking forget the greater good of education and focus on nailing the 11plus- if you know what I mean.
What I wanted to ask is what do you advise...i don't want to overload ds work schedule...keep it to a couple of hours sat and 30 min three weekdays.
With such little time left, is it better to use the 10min tests/ and mocks with review as they will probably cover alot of things anyway, or continue to focus on maths topic by topic, and comprehension?
If it's any help, there doesn't seem to be a clear weakness...some tests he does well in maths and weak in English, and others weak in maths and well in English. Never good in both over one test. He's consistently ok with nvr.
Really am looking for the most effective method on increasing the scores into the 70s% and 80s%.
I will continue read alouds, and he will continue reading, spelling and vocab work anyway.
Thanks in advance!!
Hi I would like to try offer some help here.
My son sat in 11+ last year and would be joining KES this September '18.
I had the same predicament and was not aware of this Forum. However based on my experience I would say -
1. Your son mock scores are Not bad and reflective of strong chance of getting a GS place. My son sat in 5 mock tests and never scored more than 76% (and that was once in 5 mock tests).
His scores were always from 66% to 76% and we were quite apprehensive of his chances.
2. His weak spot was Vocabulary and Comprehension for which we had Private Tutor.
We quickly realized that this can be avoided by giving our time and simulating test within home.
I would go to an extent saying that if Parents see the course and feel they can teach this then pls do so.
Don't waste money and time on Private Tutors.
3. Keep a relaxed atmosphere by following same first. Any unwanted pressure will negate the hard work done.
4. Last but not least - more mock tests the better it is. However work on mock test findings so basically carefully space them and also not over do them.
Best of Luck!!