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Common NEtrance questions

Posted: Sun Oct 26, 2008 1:01 pm
by Thea
Apologies for the numpty questions, but am new to the concept of Common entrance, as DS1 has just started @ Prep school. Do they have to take pre-test @ 11 for ALL the potential schools? Or is there a 'clearing ' facility after 11+ pre tests or after 13+. I have only looked at a few websites, but those say the lists close 3 years before CE so what happens if you decide later a different school would be better?
Any advice/experience welcome - thanks!

Posted: Sun Oct 26, 2008 1:08 pm
by Jess
Hi Thea
I don't have first-hand knowledge of this, but my understanding from a friend of mine who has a DS in Y5 at prep school is that many of the lists do indeed close 3 years from when the boy would join the school. E.g. St Paul's (boys) has already closed its list for boys currently in Yr 5 who are considering it. It's a mad system if you ask me...as you say, how are you supposed to know which school will suit your child at 13 when they're 9/10? Not sure if all the schools do this, but certainly some of them do. Hence friend is currently looking at schools now for transfer at 13+
Jess

Posted: Sun Oct 26, 2008 9:14 pm
by surreymum
It depends which schools you are looking at and they will differ. Many of the more prestigious ones have a pretest sat in year 6 which you have to pass to then be fully registered for entry via common entrance. Others you only have to have your name down and sit the common entrance exam. Some others have their own entrance exams in year 8, but use the common entrance results for setting purposes.

Although schools have their pretests, people do move in and out of the areas. Prep school heads usually have a relationship with the local headmasters and if they strongly recommend someone they will usually look at them.

I would recommend you make an appointment with your headmaster/headmistress to discuss future schools you would be interested in and see what he/she has to say.

Posted: Sun Oct 26, 2008 10:15 pm
by T.i.p.s.y
If you're at a school that goes to 18 then its unlikely that your headmaster will want to offer advice on 13+ schools. It is very common to have to register by the end of Year 5 and then sit a pre test in year 6 for selective schools - this does not mean you are tied to the school if your DC passes the pre test. Radley does not have a pre test, however schools like this often are very over-subscribed and its impossible to even get on the waiting list!!!

Posted: Sun Oct 26, 2008 10:27 pm
by Ed's mum
My son has just started at Rugby, but at the age of 11. He did not have to be registered for years before - the test was last January and we registered about 2 weeks before the test.
Most children start at 13 however, and they take a pre test 2 years before (certainly the day pupils do) then the CEE a few months before they would start at the school. Boarders are advised to visit the school to select which house 3 to 4 years before they wish to enter, so this is definitely a school which requires you to think well ahead about where you may wish to send your children!