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Mock Exams

Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2009 10:39 am
by stressedaddy
Hello,

Coming out from KECH Open day, there were people waiting outside giving leaflets for centres that do "moc" 11 plus tests prior to the real. I got into a conversation with the lady, and seh said they are really useful for measuring /konwoing how well the child will do on the day. The costs are about £30-£40 per session.


Question, are they worth it and will the child benefi at all?

Your comments would be useful.

Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2009 10:52 am
by Footballdad
Stressed daddy

My daughter has taken 2 mock exams so far. 1st one she thought she did bad but got a very good placing. 2nd test did not attend and the 3rd she went last saturday she thought she did a lot better in this one. Shall get result this weekend.

The big benefit of the mock exams is that it takes your child is taken away from the familiar environment and sit with strangers. The first test my daughter mentioned she felt awkard as its was quiet and she did not know anyone. This affected her confidence and her result for that test.

I am led to believe the studies have shown regular mock exams can increase a childs score around 5% to 10%. Also on any given day you child will be marked against 100+ children. So it will give you a good indication on where your child lies.

Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2009 12:03 pm
by fm
Yes,it would measure them against 100 other children but would those children be representative of the upper echelons of children who do the exam? I certainly know none of my cleverest would dream of doing a mock (no need). It is usually my borderline children's parents who suggest it because they are looking for reassurance. And I can see negative aspects to their doing well (too many assumptions then made) as well as doing badly (panic and loss of confidence).

A positive would be the experience of sitting an exam surrounded by other children and trying to keep focused but you could do the Sutton exams for free and replicate this.

Another positive would be to discover their weak areas but chances are you already know this without paying for a test to confirm your suspicions.

On balance I'd say it would do no harm provided you kept any poor/mediocre result from the child because it is getting rather too close to the exam to use poor results as scare tactics to get them to work harder.

Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2009 12:15 pm
by Footballdad
Fm,

I agree with you that the 100 plus kids may not be the upper echelon but a good few will be there or there abouts.

My main reason for my daughter to do the mock test is to get her comfortable in an unfamilar exam environment. Its horses for courses some kids prob need this and others on the day there place setting will not get to them. My daughter has benefited. She will only sit one more mock test and thats it.

I agree if the result are bad the child should not be told. I am fortunate she is excelling and doing well. This inturn has got her to relax a lot more as she was tense intially

It can have a positive effect if the child is capable. In my opinion