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Hi, newbie questions about AGS

Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 11:34 am
by sheepwolf
Hello all,

We are considering applying to AGS for 2010. I would be interested to hear your and your kids' experiences of it, advice about the entrance examination (eg types of papers, result expectations, application/place ratios etc).

We are out of the area so would also involve some travelling - do lots of kids do this?

Would just generally like to know what I need to know/ask really! :roll: :lol:

Thanks

Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 11:33 pm
by resmum
Lots of kids travel to AGS - from September there will be 3 buses from Wolverhampton area and boys also come from Shrewsbury, Telford, Market Drayton and other areas.

This year I think there were about 430-440 applicants for the 108 places.

The 3 tests are Maths, NVR and VR - so more geared towards traditional male strengths such as numerical skills and pattern matching.

They don't tell you how your son scored if they are offered a place so its difficult to say what the "pass" mark is. The literature says they are looking for the top 25% nationally. I THINK it may be easier to get a boarding place than a day place but if a lot of children want to board in a particular year that may not apply.

Resmum

Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 11:48 pm
by sheepwolf
Thankyou, resmum.

Do you have sons in the school already? Would you be willing to post what you like and dislike about the school?

Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 11:53 pm
by sheepwolf
And do you know which type of papers are used in the examinations? (I have read on this board about NFER, Bond etc? It is all a bit of a mystery to me...) I am not sure if the ones recommended on the AGS site as practice papers are the same as the actual exams?

Sorry to ask so many questions but you responded on what is a very quiet board... :D

Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2009 6:28 pm
by Dawn
My son is currently in Yr 7 and I only have good things to say about the school. He has just come back from a week in Germany and France and had a fantastic time.

He has made great friends, loves the sport and other extra curricular activities that are available. He hasn't found the travelling difficult at all, he gets the school bus from Wolverhampton.

One of the best things about the school is the pastoral care, both from the staff and the other pupils.

The entance exams are VR, NVR and Maths and follow the NEFER books, you can get this info from the school website. The AGS exam is usually in January and is usually one of the last.

I believe that the numbers sitting have increased over the last couple of years, Jan 08 there were abbout 580 and Jan 09 it was closer to 750, so it is getting more competitive. The school don't give out marks so i don't know how my son did on the day but he was scoring about 94% on all practice papers in the weeks leading up to the test. He did sit for 2 other schools (AGS was his first choice) and he said that the test day for AGS was the most relaxed.

If you think the school would suit your son I would say go for it, we are really thrilled with the school and the first year has exceeded our expectations.

ags

Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2009 12:54 am
by resmum
Sheepwolf,
My son will be starting at the school in September so I can't tell you much about life at Adam's as yet.

Once he has settled in I'll let you know what he thinks about it.

Resmum