CITY girls are moving to a one hour online CEM test.
This will take place the week starting 23rd November.
Those that do well will be invited in to meet the English and Maths teachers who will then be able to assess their levels.
I think that their letter is excellent and very reassuring for parents:
Y6 - CITY OF LONDON SCHOOL FOR GIRLS In common with many schools, C19 and the resulting restrictions and risks have meant that we have had to reconsider our admissions processes and I wanted to let you know as soon as possible how we will be organising our 11+ assessments this year.
In place of the English and Maths 11+ January examination, this year we will be holding socially distanced 1-hour assessments in the week beginning November 23rd 2020. Each candidate will sit a socially distanced, one hour, computer-based test. The test will assess numerical, verbal and non-verbal skills and will be designed by CEM. Candidates will sit the test in one of a number of different sittings across the week, in a livery hall local to us. It is a lovely space, in which we have been teaching in this term to enable us to zone our pupils effectively and we think that 11+ candidates will find it a comfortable and conducive space. By removing the subject specialist tests and offering sittings of one brief test on multiple occasions over the week we expect to be able to accommodate all candidates. The timing and space will mean that it is safe and socially distant, but also give applicants a chance to get to know the school and the City a little bit and engage with our staff and pupils safely.
I recognise that any alterations can make candidates anxious, but please reassure your children. The exam will operate as any aptitude test does in that it is not designed to catch candidates out, nor does it require much preparation; in fact it is impossible to train for, though if your pupils would find it helpful to practise they can find an example of the kind of test on the link on our website.
Pupils who have been successful in the assessment and for whom we have received a good school reference will be invited to City for an enhanced interview session in the week starting 18th January, where subject specialists will assess pupils Maths and English in more detail, provide a taste of lessons at City and offer school tours. The session will be designed to give pupils a flavour of life at City and allow them to ask any questions. We will publish further details of the interviews on our website later in the term. We hope they enjoy it!
No change is ideal and I hope that this one does not feel too disruptive for your children. Our aim is to find a way through to an assessment that is safe, effective, fair and allows applicants to get to know us a bit. We are also very mindful of the disruptions and differences in provision that Year 6 pupils have experienced over the last 6 months and hope that these changes will give pupils an equal chance in these most peculiar of circumstances.
We want your children to feel as confident and comfortable as possible, so please do not hesitate to get in touch if have any queries. Ms Nicoll, (Head of Lower School) and our Admissions team are happy to help.
Last edited by Daogroupie on Tue Sep 29, 2020 12:14 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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