VR and NVR books for Tiffins exam

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nada
Posts: 46
Joined: Wed Feb 25, 2009 5:06 pm
Location: Kingston upon Thames

VR and NVR books for Tiffins exam

Post by nada »

My DD will be starting tuition for Tiffins soon and I was wondering what would be the best books to buy and have at home in case we manage to do some extra work. Any advice highly is appriciated as I am new on this road.
JaysDarlin
Posts: 548
Joined: Mon Jun 16, 2008 6:34 pm

Post by JaysDarlin »

Hi Nada!

That is a very big question!! I would generally say stay away from Bonds for VR - use IPS, Bright Sparks and Walsh. Bond is good for NVR but their assessment papers have some types of questions to be avoided. I'll pm you the rest.

Good Luck!!! :D
Tolworth Mum
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed Nov 18, 2009 10:42 pm
Location: Tolworth

Post by Tolworth Mum »

Hi JaysDarlin,

Just joined the site and amazed at how kind people on this site are.

I have started looking for material for my DS who will be sitting for the Tiffin exam in 2010. I had been made aware of Bond texts but would also appreciate any other information you may have. I am a bit confused as I sometimes doubt that I will be able to give my DS adequate support. I could not find a tutor in the area therefore no choice but to home tutor and I will try my best to get him through :) .

Best Wishes

TM
patricia
Posts: 2803
Joined: Mon Jan 30, 2006 5:07 pm

Post by patricia »

Dear Nada and Tolworth mum

The VR portion of the Tiffin exam covers the 21 types as used in Buckinghamshire. As you will only have one test in VR [Bucks have 2] your child will only see about 12/13 of the 21 types. However you need to learn all 21 as you do not know which 12/13 are going to appear.


The tests are published by GL Assessment [formally NFER].

Publishers which currently cover the 21 types required for include:
AFN [slightly easier]
IPS,
The Tutors [ middle range difficulty]
Learning Lab
Susan Daughtrey [very close the correct level of difficulty, use packs of 4 tests, NOT her books 1-7],
Walsh, [ [quite hard in some vocabularly areas]


Shop bought GL Assessment, who publish the tests only contain 15 types of questions...it is therefore necessary to practice HIKNOS while completing these tests. [HIKNOS are 6 types as identified by IPS]

I would recommend that you start by buying a method and technique book in order to teach yourself how approach each of the questions [IPS]

http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/books/list.php?ex=85

IPS also publish a book containing a selection of each type. Before you administer your first test, teach your child the types contained in that test using the IPS additional questions book, continue this method for the first few tests.

http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/books/list.php?ex=90

Use tests in the following order...

1] IPS, 10 tests 50 questions, 30 minutes [shorter tests good to begin with]

http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/books/list.php?ex=88

2] THE TUTORS, 12 tests, 80 questions, 50 minutes...these come as E papers or in packs of 4 [a good middle range of full tests]

http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/books/ ... p?g=f&p=21

http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/epaper ... =f&c=1&p=6

3] SUSAN DAUGHTREY [packs of 4 tests only], 80 questions 50 minutes..2 packs each pack contains 4 tests [ nearer to the standard of the real tests]

http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/books/list.php?ex=120

http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/books/list.php?ex=309

4] GL assessment, 4 tests, 85 questions 50 minutes [remember to practice HIKNOS from IPS when completing these tests, also need to cross off the last 5 questions, as the real test only has 80 not 85] A tad easier than the real tests and practiced tests found in school, but good to practice in the same format as the real tests.

http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/books/list.php?ex=14

Between steps 1-4 you could [but do not necessarily have to] use the 2 CDs produced by THE TUTORS, Vol.1 contains 50 questions of each type. Vol.2 contains 12 tests. The real test is not computer based, therefore pen and paper would always be the preferred option. In addition you need a separate paper for working out various questions. However some children like these CDs as a filler in to relieve the 'boredom' of pen and paper.

I would also use Walsh and Learning Lab during session time between tests, particulary towards the end, they are good for Vocabulary. However please note that they use brackets in types I AND G which of course are not used by GL assessment. Learning Lab require a knowledge of BODMAS for the same questions. I tend to cross these off as I do not want to confuse the children.

Ensure your child reads out aloud to you at least 3 times a week, making note of all unknown vocabulary. Vocabulary is without a doubt the biggest problem area. Codes and Maths can be rote learnt. Seeing words out of context will always throw children.

See the following link, for my list of words with an explanation of how to use flash cards as an aid. In addition there is my list of compound words [with games]

http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/pdf/11 ... tricia.pdf

http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/pdf/11 ... tricia.pdf

There are 4 types of maths questions, they are not rocket science, BUT require an ability to quickly recall the 4 maths operations i.e. adding, subtraction, multiplying and dividing. The quicker the child can recall, the more time can be spent on codes [easy marks, but time consuming] Basically if you ask for 8 x 7 you want the answer 56, now not in 10 seconds time, once they know their times tables inside out and back to front [ up to 12 x] then division becomes easy. Adding and subtraction should be practiced using numbers under 150...try making up games, giving quick fire questions in the car, out for walks etc.

This forum is a wealth of information, look around, take note and get teaching! Any problems just ask, there is always someone willing to help.
Thea
Posts: 250
Joined: Mon Dec 05, 2005 4:01 pm
Location: Richmond

Post by Thea »

Patricia - you are so kind and helpful - thanks!!!!!
Best Regards,
Thea
Tolworth Mum
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed Nov 18, 2009 10:42 pm
Location: Tolworth

Post by Tolworth Mum »

Thank you so so very much for this valuable information. :D

Best Wishes

TM
2outof3
Posts: 331
Joined: Tue Apr 21, 2009 3:21 pm

Post by 2outof3 »

Patricia,

I have, since joining the site, found a lot of useful information on other areas, but have quite often wondered why the Surrey forum is frequently quiet and certain pleas for help receive no replies or possibly just one or two. I had started to think that Surrey is just more competitive because of the fact that most of the grammars here are superselective and entry is ridiculously hard.

However, reading your post has totally restored my faith in the Surrey forum. It is amazingly useful and will help so many people starting out on what can be a really difficult journey.

Thanks very much for posting it and even though I have done this twice now, I shall certainly be keeping your post bookmarked for when I start with number three :D
ardmore
Posts: 75
Joined: Sun Oct 18, 2009 10:11 am

What do you suggest Patrcia for NVR

Post by ardmore »

Excellent Patricia
what is suggestion for NVR list.
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