11 Plus Exams Forum

Has anyone done this CSSE paper with their DC? We've just done it-I think it's the 2009 one and my goodness, it's horrible!

Last year's English paper was something very modern and comprehensible; that probably means that it'll be something utterly obscure and indecipherable this year! Argghhh again!

My DS did that one as part of his prep a few years ago. It was one of his better ones as it's more boy-friendly than a lot of the other texts. I haven't used it with DD, though. I think the scores for English vary quite a bit depending on whether DC are interested in the text. Scores in Maths papers seem to be more consistent.

The English paper is always a shocker. Just remind DC that it is difficult for everyone.

Not long to go now. Next month!

We use the CSSE English paper in the last stages of our preparation as it is one of the hardest we have found. In my opinion the passages chosen are GCSE level but at least it is multiple choice and at least you get a mark scheme. With our local school there is no mark scheme and no multiple choice so you have absolutely no clue what is expected of you. I am very glad of the CSSE English paper, it is of great help to me and would be glad to buy past papers off anyone when the exams are over. DG

Daogroupie wrote:We use the CSSE English paper in the last stages of our preparation as it is one of the hardest we have found. In my opinion the passages chosen are GCSE level but at least it is multiple choice and at least you get a mark scheme.

I didn't think the English paper was multiple choice, correct me if i'm wrong.

Some questions require written answers while others are of a true/false/tick-the-correct-option variety.

We haven't done that one - although we've heard tales...scary tales lol!

Being a bit more serious now, we'd actually like to get our hands on this paper, to see what it's like. DD2 was given the "Captain Corelli's Mandolin" paper for her first ever real CSSE English paper, timed, too - talk about a baptism of fire

My 20 pupils scored very randomly on that paper. My strongest pupil achieved 70% and was matched by one of my weakest. It is the least predictable paper and I only use it in early preparation. Basically, don't worry about the marks for that one.

Fortunately, they all made their grammar schools.

Moved:
Sorry to be dense but would you mind if I ask if your comments refer to "Longitude" or "Captain Corelli's"?

Longitude. I wouldn't worry about the odd paper and I wouldn't worry about getting hold of Longitude it isn't good enough to be worth the effort.

moved wrote:Longitude. I wouldn't worry about the odd paper and I wouldn't worry about getting hold of Longitude it isn't good enough to be worth the effort.

I agree with not bothering about the Longitude one! It makes me wonder though-the Captain Corelli one was pretty horrid, as was the Longitude (and actually, the Dickens one was quite hard!) whereas last year's specially written CSSE English paper was quite modern and user-friendly. Does that mean this year will be a stinker!?