How do the exams vary from region to region?

[choifamily]

I'm a US citizen so I am very confused by the 11+ exams and how they will work when it comes time for my son to take it. I know that the regions have their own tests, but I want to know how the differ. I don't want to spend too much prep time on something that will hardly be on the test at all. Does anyone know anything about the exams in other regions or how a child from the US should prepare?
Thanks,
Choi Family

[Sally-Anne]

Hi choi, and welcome!

Our website was relaunched only a few days ago, and information about the different tests around the country is listed for every 11+ region:
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/schools/regions" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It is as up to date as it can be and based on very recent research.

Sally-Anne

[choifamily]

Thanks for the quick reply. I was hoping to find something with breakdowns such as 25% Verbal reasoning, 50% Math etc. Are these types of stats available anywhere? Also, is there any way to know where my son will be tested if he is applying to Eton and Westminster?

[Sally-Anne]

I was hoping to find something with breakdowns such as 25% Verbal reasoning, 50% Math etc. Are these types of stats available anywhere?

I'm not entirely sure that we are talking about the same thing, but most tests have equal weighting, so if there are two types of test they will be 50% each, three tests will be 33% each, etc. Where the tests are weighted differently they are specified on the regional pages.

Which regions are you mostly interested in? That will help us to answer your questions more easily.

Also, is there any way to know where my son will be tested if he is applying to Eton and Westminster?

Almost certainly at the schools themselves, but the experts on the Independent School section will be able to answer that for you if you post there (unless they drop by here first).

S-A

[moved]

Hi Choi,

Do you have any idea which region of the UK you will be living in? All regions, as far as I am aware test verbal reasoning. Some test non-verbal reasoning, maths and/or English. In my local region we test 50% VR, 25% maths and 25% English comprehension.

Public schools, such as Westminster and Eton, test on their own premises and use a different system entirely. If you are looking at those schools you will need to sit an exam at age 12/13 called the common entrance exam. For both of these schools this exam is very testing and covers a wide range of subjects. The other route into these schools is via a junior scholarship exam taken at 10/11, which is often similar to the 11+ with a written contingent too.

I would suggest posting in the independent section to gain a fuller understanding. We do have some very informed members who have themselves put children through the process.

[hermanmunster]

Hi Choi

there is some info about the common entrance exam here:

http://www.iseb.co.uk/parents.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Alice in Underland]

Doyou know where you will be moving to in the UK?
Where have your children been educated in the USA ?

Both my children were educated from k-5th grade in the USA.
They are both now at school in the UK and find the work far easier than in the USA. They both passed eleven plus entrance exams for selectice grammar schools.

Please send me a private message if you would like more advice.

K