Could anybody help? Is the maths multiple choice or step by step working? Is the English writing in pencils or pens? Many thanks.

My son sat it two years ago and the second stage is problem solving no mcq.

Sorry forgot to answer the English, he wrote in pencil not sure what the requirements are now for boys.

The Sutton girls sat the 2nd stage test yesterday and had to write the English test in biro/ballpoint pen.

They were given the option to use the pen if they had one, yesterday.

Ah, ok, didn't realise the girls had the option to use pen or pencil. My DD always prefers to use a ballpoint, so the pencil option didn't even register on her radar .

Can the children write in handwriting pens if they want to ? My son struggles a lot with biro or ball point pen . Their school also doesn't allow ball point pens and hence he is used with only handwriting pens . He is fine with either pencil or pen .. so I am confused . Can anyone englighten me on this please ?

Hi worriedmum, the girls were told to bring a balled point pen and pencil ( on the email).

Best to read the requirements ( what to bring) for the second stage for the boys, they should of stated it on the email.

If in doubt could email/ call them but for memory a pencil should be fine.

My DD was under the impression they had to write in pen for the English. She prefers pencil and her writing is isn't great at the best of times so I can't imagine what it looked like yesterday!

My DD also said that they were specifically asked to write in pen for English. Those that didn't have a pen had to write in pencil, but she did overhear an invigilator saying to one girl it was in the email when the girl said she didn't have a pen.
Moral of the story please read what it says in the email instructions and follow it.