Tutors For Entrance Exams.

[pretty_snowdrop]

I am thinking about appling for a place for my daugher at the local Grammar School and to obtain a place she must pass an entrance exam. I am not putting pressure on her and if she doesn't pass i have no problems in sending her to the local Secondary school.
She is a bright girl, but a number of people have suggested there is no point in applying unless i have her coached by a private tutor, as they know all the tricks to 'enable her to pass' exams. Apparently she will be at a disadvantage because most of the other children applying will have had a tutor.
I tend to think if she is clever enough and the school see potential she will get a place. Has anybody any thoughts on this?

[sebhfhion]

hello. I would get a tutor to help her pass the entrance exams. The tutor will help her prepare for the Exams, know what is required and give her more confidence. Make sure the Tutor has experience in preparing for entrance exams though.

[sherrardk]

The others may be equally as bright but will have an advantage if they know how to do the entrance exam. If you can afford it, then get her a tutor (level the playing field a bit).

[Ellipsis]

If she is super-bright she may get in regardless. Otherwise, she may well be at a disadvantage to those who have tutoring and are as clever or slightly less clever than her.

[Prudie]

What a shame her school don't prepare her for this rather than expecting parents to fork out for a tutor.

[DaisyNonna]

Prudie, many primary schools are anti grammar schools so tend to ignore the 11+ where it remains.

[Prudie]

Well that's even more of a shame

[DaisyNonna]

Nevertheless my grandson got into his local grammar school. Could not be more delighted.

[Prudie]

Well done to your nephew, that's a great start for him.

[FredPuli43]

She ought to be shown past or mock exam papers. That's so she knows what to expect in the exam itself; exams are hard enough without being presented with the type of questions you've never seen before. She should have some practice in answering. Exams have time limits and some questions require all of a list of key points in an answer, but not other points. It is quite possible, without practice, to spend too much time on one or more of the questions or parts and be rushed to finish.That can prove costly. Answering all the questions briefly will get at least some marks for each whereas it is very difficult to get maximum marks on a few, and none on one or more and still get a pass. The best strategy is to aim to get a goodish mark on all, rather than waste time getting a perfect answer on a few and rushing the rest.

In short , get a tutor. They won't make your child cleverer but they will make her exam technique better and give her greater confidence.

[ToraToraTora]

Just get her to do a past exam under exam conditions. That should give an idea of whether she'll get through. That's what I did with my first son, the second one I didn't bother. No need for coaching, it may help if she's borderline but if she then gets through it could be a struggle.

[pretty_snowdrop]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts.x