Dear Annie
Firstly, panicking not allowed!
The 11 plus exam in Bucks consists of 2 Verbal Reasoning, Multiple choice tests. Each paper has 80 questions to complete in 50 minutes. Your child only needs to pass one of the tests, the average score is no longer used. The school will provide 5 familiarisation sessions [covering the 21 types of questions] followed by 3 practice tests.
The tests are published by NFER.
Publishers which currently cover the 21 types required for Bucks include:
AFN, IPS, SUSAN DAUGHTREY [Bright Sparks only, NOT her books 1-7]
NFER, who publish the Bucks 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" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
IPS also publishes 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" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Use tests in the following order…..
1] IPS, 10 tests 50 questions, 30 minutes [shorter tests good to begin with] only use about 5 of these as actual tests, use the rest as some form of practice.
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/books/list.php?ex=88" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
2] SUSAN DAUGHTREY [Bright Sparks only], 4 tests 80 questions 50 minutes x 2 sets [total 8 tests]
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/books/list.php?ex=120" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
3] NFER, 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]
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/books/list.php?ex=14" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Ensure your child reads out loud to you at least 3 times a week, making note of all unknown vocabulary. If you look at some of the posts concerning the 2006 11 plus, the majority of posters, mention vocabulary as being the biggest problem [and I whole heartedly agree]
See the following link, bottom of the page, for my list of words with an explanation of how to use flash cards as an aid
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/revisi" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... wnload.php
In addition, 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.
Patricia