CEM Comprehension vs Standard MC Comprehension
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Re: CEM Comprehension vs Standard MC Comprehension
I have had two children sit with the rest of their cohort and am now faced with a late sitter. To be honest if we hadn't already booked the ferry and travel lodge with no hope of a refund then I would say stuff the exam. We booked it when we thought we had a poor upper option but thankfully that is no longer the case.
All the pre- test knowledge in the world doesn't help a child who finds out he/she has to sit a test two to three weeks before hand. It is impossible to compete with those DC who have been prepping for months building up their vocab, their mental arithmetic etc. The fact that the area DS is breezing in NVR speaks volumes.
Some children will be affected by exam pressure regardless of how prepared they are some won't. DS2 invariably under achieves in exam situations. For some 11+ over preparation and the stress involved may well add to the tears etc.
I may have had the same doubts as you in the past, now give me DS4s position any day. He will sit with his cohort and if he passes will be allocated his local grammar school, no worries about space availability. I won't give a fiddlers how many late sitters there will be or what test they are given.
.... and don't get me started on Grammar post Y7 admissions policies
All the pre- test knowledge in the world doesn't help a child who finds out he/she has to sit a test two to three weeks before hand. It is impossible to compete with those DC who have been prepping for months building up their vocab, their mental arithmetic etc. The fact that the area DS is breezing in NVR speaks volumes.
Some children will be affected by exam pressure regardless of how prepared they are some won't. DS2 invariably under achieves in exam situations. For some 11+ over preparation and the stress involved may well add to the tears etc.
I may have had the same doubts as you in the past, now give me DS4s position any day. He will sit with his cohort and if he passes will be allocated his local grammar school, no worries about space availability. I won't give a fiddlers how many late sitters there will be or what test they are given.
.... and don't get me started on Grammar post Y7 admissions policies
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Re: CEM Comprehension vs Standard MC Comprehension
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I wish your son the very best, he will have a busy month ahead of him. We only had cem confirmed in early spring, and the vocab can really only be useful if it is embedded for instant recall, through reading and school work really. Your situation is obviously exceptional and I hope things settle quickly once you move. You are extremely lucky to have a place at a good upper, I have a friend on waiting lists for two uppers, who will home tutor until something comes up that suits her boy. Have you secured a primary school place for your baby boy yet?
My journey with children trying for grammars has ended, but I find the whole thing so exasperating that I will continue to fight the corner for friends, family who live in the area.
In the mean time I hope everyone succeeds in helping their children solve the quick fire comprehension problem.
Your opinion may change when you gave been here a while and realise there are a few unscrupulous tutors who specialise in late sitter entries! Quite simply it has to be changed, I know several people who feel the same way as they have seen the results of children gaining places that are academically not suited to their ability, it is heart breaking.I won't give a fiddlers how many late sitters there will be or what test they are given.
I wish your son the very best, he will have a busy month ahead of him. We only had cem confirmed in early spring, and the vocab can really only be useful if it is embedded for instant recall, through reading and school work really. Your situation is obviously exceptional and I hope things settle quickly once you move. You are extremely lucky to have a place at a good upper, I have a friend on waiting lists for two uppers, who will home tutor until something comes up that suits her boy. Have you secured a primary school place for your baby boy yet?
My journey with children trying for grammars has ended, but I find the whole thing so exasperating that I will continue to fight the corner for friends, family who live in the area.
In the mean time I hope everyone succeeds in helping their children solve the quick fire comprehension problem.