11 Plus Exams Forum

Wow, only 9 days left. Where has the time gone?

Yes, it feels like yesterday I was telling my DS that it was "only two months" to the QMGS exam, and here we are with just over a week left. How time flies when you are having fun!!!

And in exactly 11 weeks the Birmingham 11 Plus exam will be all over

My dd will be sitting at a comprehensive school in Solihull, which is interesting as my boys had taken the test at KES and CHB. Have they run out of space or are they just being nice and ensuring we have a shorter distance to travel??

Record numbers applying as austerity measures start to bite

sbarnes wrote:Record numbers applying as austerity measures start to bite

I beg to disagree.

I think austerity bit hard 3 years ago, but independent schools are also now gaining numbers. I think it is rather the growth of the private tutor market who are aggresively marketing their wares, combined with higher aspirations from parents. Cornershops no longer sell groceries in my locality, but tutoring services.

Whatever the reason, I am dreading escorting DS next week to the QMGS exam given the numbers (maybe 1100 boys!) in a scrum against the fence. Given everyone will be there 1 hour early, not sure it will be easy for the DS to focus from 12.30 to 4pm- with the exam sandwiched somewhere in the meantime.

Hmmm. We don't even know if there are 'record numbers'. They'll be higher - as the birth rate did jump in 2003 - but I am not sure we should become hysterical.

The foundation may be using other schools for different reasons, such as managing the numbers better.

QMHS has specifically said that parents must not arrive before 12 midday. They have allocated 4 different entry gates for girls (based on first letter of the surname).

Still, there will be a pretty long wait before the exam starts. I wonder whether I should send a book or magazine for dd to read. The thought of wasting an hour! DH is being sent with dd because I can't stand crowds

Supply and demand, classic scenario. If the demand wasn't there, then these 'corner shops' come tutoring houses would not be flourishing. I assume you are in the Brum area with your corner shop reference.

um wrote:Hmmm. We don't even know if there are 'record numbers'. They'll be higher - as the birth rate did jump in 2003 - but I am not sure we should become hysterical.

The foundation may be using other schools for different reasons, such as managing the numbers better.

QMHS has specifically said that parents must not arrive before 12 midday. They have allocated 4 different entry gates for girls (based on first letter of the surname).

Still, there will be a pretty long wait before the exam starts. I wonder whether I should send a book or magazine for dd to read. The thought of wasting an hour! DH is being sent with dd because I can't stand crowds

Perhaps I am reading too much into the email I received a few weeks ago from QMGS. This stated that letters detailing the arrangements would be delayed "due to an exceptionally large number of applications". I understand they were overwhelmed by the sheer number of applications.

Unlike QMHS, there is only one entrance and boys are asked to queue. Hence my delirium at the prospect of 1000+ boys in an unruly scrum against the fence I gather most parents will travel in and will no doubt come early, which will add to the chaos. (Deep breath and Ommmmmm).

I do like Um's suggestion regarding reading material. Aside from wasted time, there is boredom and nerves to contend with, so a magazine sounds good. I am wondering though whether this will be allowed. Letter is clear that no materials are required, so a magazine would be OK?

I believe that there are two exams for QMGS as we received notification that my son is sitting the exam in the morning. It looks like they have split the group over two sessions due to numbers.