Just over 3 weeks to go : )

[yoyo123]

I didn't get it which exams u r all taking about?

don't panic Haleema, this post is in Birmingham section. I think from your other posts that you are based in South? Good advice above for any exams though

[Starsailor]

I would reiterate the tips said before and add the following especially your stress, stressing your child.
Prepare your child for the fact that there will be some kids on the day who will be very stressed. This can feed to others.
My kid wore a favourite jumper on the day that was very soft & whilst it was warm they had it there to stroke at times as comfort.
Always take the fact that whatever happens the experience will make yr 6 straight forward and provides a good basis for the future.
Prepare them for the fact they are sitting a test, attempt all questions, if no idea guess &check they have not missed questions/pages.

[um]

Regarding the hall/rooms question, my experience is that your child could be in either so best to prepare them for either experience.

We have had posters in the past say that their child in a large hall could not hear the recording clearly so always ensure that if your children cannot hear clearly on the day, they feel confident to put their hand up and say so immediately.

It is also worth ensuring that they are prepared to listen very carefully to instructions (i.e. do not make them too dependent on always having an adult sitting telling them what to do three times), and are ready to check their name on the papers that are given to them. Ds2 did get someone else's name (it was very similar, and same surname) on the paper after the break. Fortunately the teacher asked the children to check, both he and the other boy realised straight away, they were swapped, and both boys are now actually at CHB

[Doodlemum]

Thank you Um, that's great practical advice, especially in relation to the recording!!

[sbarnes]

1. The most important tip I offer every year is to drum into the child to turn the page of the question booklet and not to stop at the bottom of page 2. There are numerous children that stop and don't realise that there at least 2-3 pages to go
2. Avoid looking or allowing to be distracted by other children in the examination room
3. There will be children throwing up, crying, howling, these sort of distractions were present when my child sat 11+
4. Turn over each page as instructed; child should not freeze or day dream
5. One mark can be the difference between grammar or local comp
6. This one mark is critical; we are on this forum as we believe in 11+ and want our child to go to selective school; it's important to drum into the child this one point comment. Fight for every point.

Best of luck to all children sitting these most important of exams.

[Fatnorville]

My DS sat this exam last year at Bishop Veasey.

Parents were not allowed to walk their DS's to their desk. DS's were met in the grounds and either escorted or walked the 25 metres to the school front door alone. For many parents this letting go was very difficult and there was a lot of adult tears.

Just be prepared and don't let your emotions affect your DS.

[Tizzy]

Hi all,

My DD will be sitting the exam at Sutton Girls, can anyone tell me anything in advance about the set up that might help her? I'm a bit worried she will be as overwhelmed as she was at QM, when it was a bit too chaotic and stressful for her (okay me actually!!! )

[kanamm]

I cannot believe last time this year how I was panicking . Not much to add over the advice the other parents have given .Wishing the children writing the exam this year all the very best! My son starts in KES tomorrow finding myself tearing up a bit at the thought of him going to secondary school

[wildwest]

kids back at school this week. A strange feeling of having to 'let go' which was very uneasy, having had the flexibility of 'a bit of work and a bit of fun' for over 6 weeks.

In comparison, the evening seems so much shorter now, when they get back home. hardly any time to even glance through any 'revision'.


2 more sleeps before the D day for us in Birmingham.

Best of luck guys...