Re amount of prep needed.

[threemonkey]

We did all of our tutoring ourselves, starting a week before the summer holidays, covered all the question types and did plenty 20+ practise papers , once scores got up into the late 80's early 90's we concentrated more on coping and exam technics than the actual questions. Seems to be repeated everywhere on this forum of Dc's not performing in the test aswell as they did in practise, so we figured that coping technics were maybe more important than repition of questions. Lots of concentration exercises, asking questions off the papers verbally rather than allowing them to read them, sitting in a room with the TV on loudly and other people around wjile trying to do the practise papers. Deliberatley interupting part way through a test etc etc. Im sure that time spent on these things along with breathing exercises , positive thinking and putting things in perpective all helped on the day. Our DC was always told it was his choice to be doing and he was free to drop out at any point , even now the final choice is down to him local comp, tommies or pates , weve never and never will express a preference , we only supply him with the information.

[capers123]

even now the final choice is down to him local comp, tommies or pates , weve never and never will express a preference , we only supply him with the information.

Good for you. I wouldn't let the child make an uninformed choice as such, but would let them make an informed choice, knowing the pros & cons of all the options.

[aargh]

We are leaving it to DD too. We have supplied as much info as possible and she asked her own questions at the open days. She has made herself an efficient looking chart on her whiteboard listing pros and cons for each school ( she has even included "chance of little brother getting in to this school" I THINK she means that as a pro ).

Re-visiting Pate's tomorrow may have an influence. Doubt we can get back to see SHS again before 31st deadline.