Posts Tagged ‘entrance tests’

New Year Resolutions

Thursday, January 12th, 2012

At 121 Home Tutors all our tutors have their own personal New Year’s resolutions (lose those few pounds gained over Christmas, expand their tutoring business, be a better tutor, take up a new hobby). Yes. we all have our aims and ambitions for 2012 and we know you will have yours too. But what if you made just one of your resolutions an education one (and encouraged your child to do the same?). It could mean 2012 could be an even more successful year and it could be the first step in passing exams, getting a place at a school or university or the beginnings of a successful career. So we asked our tutors what resolutions they would suggest parents and their children make for 2012 and here’s what they came up with.

  1. Plan. Being organised pays off, whether that’s coming up with a revision schedule long before exams or booking in 11 plus tutoring well before your child sits their entrance exams then planning is the key.
  2. Recognise. This resolution is for both parents and students. Tutoring is fantastic and can mean you can overcome academic problems you have. But tutoring doesn’t happen unless you are willing to recognise that a problem exists. As a parent it can be hard to face up to the fact that your child might not be doing as well as you’d hoped and as a student it can be downright embarrassing to admit you are failing in an area or topic. Communication is really important – if you think your child is having problems then talk to them (and their teachers) as soon as possible, early intervention by teachers or a tutor can easily resolve a problem. If a problem is left unchecked then it becomes harder to deal with later on and your child can also suffer a serious knock to their confidence. Tutoring isn’t about saying you aren’t good enough, it’s about saying you want to be better and you are smart enough to see there is a way to do that. Parents tell our tutors that the most common problem areas tend to be in the topics we need the most on a day to day basis – so English (primary, GCSEs and A Level) and Maths (primary, GCSE and A Level).
  3. Future. Encourage your child to think about their future now. It’s really easy to forget that the choices made in secondary school can dictate the path our life takes. Find positive ways to encourage your child to focus on their school work when needed and help them out if they start to struggle. It’s also a good time to reflect on where you want your future to be – after all tutoring isn’t just for children!

Here’s to a happy and successful 2012. If you need help with one to one tutoring in subjects including English, Maths and History across Manchester and Cheshire including Altrincham, Bramhall and Sale then contact us today.

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Revision over Christmas

Monday, December 19th, 2011

The festive season is almost here and it’s a lovely long two-week break for students to relax and recover after a hard first term. But lots of students have exams as soon as they get back in January so although time off is important it’s also vital to set up some revision and study time during the break. We know as soon as the new term starts A Level and AS Level exams will be in full swing and some GCSE modules have exams in January. You might also be sitting entrance tests exams in the new year.

We asked the 121 Home Tutors team for some top revisions tips over the festive season.

  1. Know what you are going back to. The biggest mistake some of our students make is that they have no idea what they are studying for after Christmas. Listen to what your teachers tell you and if you really aren’t sure what exams you are sitting (and therefore what you need to study) then go and ask someone.
  2. Make a plan. Once you know which exams you are sitting then don’t go crazy and try and cram all your revision in at once (or ignore it!). Sit down and make a day-to-day plan of what you need to revise and in what order. Little and often works best with plenty of breaks to keep your mind and body fresh.
  3. Don’t ignore your problems areas. The temptation can be to revise the easy stuff first and ignore the trickier parts but you should actually tackle the hard subjects and topics first, that way you have plenty of time to go into detail and revisit the areas where you struggle.
  4. Read through our blogs for lots of top tips on revision and preparing for exams.
  5. Develop revision techniques that work for you. There is no rule that says you have to work at a desk; maybe you’d be better recording notes and then listening to them while you run? Or maybe you’d work better verbally asking a friend questions (and being tested in return)?
  6. Make time for fun – it’s important to keep revision going during the holidays (we know, no fun!) but keep some time aside to enjoy friends and family. You’ll return to study refreshed and relaxed.
  7. Book in some extra time with your tutor. Most tutors can squeeze in an extra session in the run up to exams to discuss any problem areas and give your confidence a boost. 121 Home Tutors have private tutors across Manchester and Cheshire that can help you with your 11 plus, GCSE’s and A levels. Contact us today

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Entrance tests – how to cope on the day

Tuesday, December 28th, 2010

The new year will signal the start of entrance exams for independent schools. So you’ve read our revision tips blog and have been working hard with your child over the Christmas break. The big day (or days!) is here, how do help your child cope?

Preparation is important

The school will have sent you a pack of information before the day. It will include information on the location of the school (and possibly precise location of the exam), parking information, what you need to bring with you (such as pens, pencils, packed lunch). Read this pack very carefully and if you aren’t sure about anything then call the school (bear in mind they could be closed until 4th January or later).

Set them up

Ensure they get a good breakfast (energy foods like porridge are great) and avoid any last minute cramming. This can lead to panic. The best way to approach an exam or entrance test is calmly. You can really help with all the little things, double check with your child they have a pen, pencil and other equipment they might need.

Listen to your child

On the way to the exam they may be very anxious, give them the opportunity to express their fears and discuss their anxiety. Don’t dismiss it and offer as much reassurance as you can. Go for lots of positive encouragement.

Don’t panic

However nervous you feel for your child they probably feel ten times worse. Try and keep calm and if you notice your child starting to get anxious simple breathing exercises can really help. Ask your child to slowly inhale through their nose and out through their mouth. Get them to do this five times. It might feel a bit daft but it can stop panic escalating.

Leave time

There will be lots and lots (potentially hundreds) of parents dropping their kids off. Make sure you know the route to the school and leave plenty of time to get there and drop your child off safely. Again it’s worth referring to the school information pack or website on entrance tests for detailed advice.

Top tips to give your child

You’re the most important cheerleader your child has. Send them into the exam brimming with confidence by leaving them with these 3 top tips:

1. Read each question carefully, if you don’t know the answer don’t panic. Skip it, do the next one and come back to the tricky ones at the end.

2. Don’t compare answers with friends after the exam. Everyone wants to do it but you can’t go back and change your answer so it will just stress you out.

3. Remember it’s only  an exam. Yes it’s important but soon it will be over!

If you or your child need advice or help on revision or preparing for exams we have a raft of highly qualified tutors across Manchester and Cheshire – call us today for more information.

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Make the most of your Christmas break – revision and study

Thursday, December 23rd, 2010

It’s finally time for some festive fun but with so many students facing exams immediately after the Christmas break it’s a good idea to set some time aside for study.

Here are our top ten tips for keeping on top of things during the holidays:

1.       Get organised. Don’t leave revision until the last minute, sit down and make a plan including frequent small chunks of revision rather than one large chunk of panicky cramming. Make sure this plan is realistic (leaving time for breaks and mince pies!).

2.       Know when your exams are. This way you can prioritise the exams come first and ensure you don’t miss anything. Make sure you plan in extra time for weaker subjects or those where you need a good grade.

3.       What do you need to learn? Your time is best spent on things that will be on the exam so check you know the exam board and syllabus you are taking for each subject. The syllabus is often a good revision guide as it lists all the stuff you’ll be tested on. If you are going to use revision guides, find the right one for your syllabus and learning style, not just the one all your mates have.

4.       Do you actually understand what you have to learn? If there is a particular topic or subject you are struggling with then before you fight through it, it could be a good idea to chat it through with a teacher, friend or parent. Don’t be afraid to ask and if you can’t find the help you need then consider a tutor who can give you hints and tips on revision as well as helping with tricky subjects.

5.       How do you learn best? Try out different techniques to find the one that’s right for you. Try mind maps, writing notes, highlighters and pictures. Listening to revision CDs could work for you or Questions and Answer sessions (working with a friend could be perfect for you).

6.       Keep testing. Past exam papers are a great way to see if you can apply what you are revising. These papers give you an idea of the types of questions you might face in an exam and if you can also get hold of the marking scheme you can see the right answers and how examiners award marks.

7.       Take care of yourself. If your body isn’t healthy then your mind won’t work properly. There are some key things you need to do, drink plenty and sleep (not too much, not too little). Eat plenty of ‘brain’ foods like fish and nuts and try to choose healthy snacks such as fruit. Ensure you have relaxation time as part of your study plan.

8.       The night before. Make sure you get to bed early and have prepared what you need for the next day (pens, pencils, ruler, and calculator). Do not spend all night revising as this will just make you too tired for the exam the next day.

9.       On the day. Arrive in plenty of time. Check you have a pen/pencil. Calmly read the questions and if you don’t know an answer don’t panic. Instead move on, answer the next question and come back to any you struggled with.

10.    If you need help with revision and exam technique we have private tutors across Manchester and Cheshire that can help you with your 11 plus, GCSE’s and A levels. Contact us today

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Decision time – which secondary school is right for your child?

Monday, November 1st, 2010

If your child is in Year 4 or 5 you’ve got a big decision looming – which secondary school is right for your child? If your child is in year 6 you may be in the midst of a testing time – literally – with grammar schools entrance tests completed and entrance exam tests for independent schools taking place in January.

You may already know that you’d like your child to go to an independent (often called private) school or maybe you’d love them to attend the highly sought after state grammar school or comprehensive. But if you’re still undecided here are a few things to consider when making your decision:

1.       Be clear about the different types of schools and all the costs involved. There are state maintained comprehensive/secondary schools where you don’t pay fees, but if it’s a good school then it’s likely housing costs in the catchment area will be higher. There are grammar secondary schools (164 of them in England) which select pupils based on their academic ability using the 11+ entrance exam or similar. They are funded by the state and don’t charge fees. Finally there are independent (private) schools, they can be called grammar schools but are not funded or run by the state so you can pay substantial fees. They also select pupils based on testing.

2.       Think about hidden costs. In an independent school setting your child is likely to get access to additional sporting and extracurricular activities as part of the fees you pay. By putting them in a state school will you end up spending extra time and money finding out of school sports and other clubs to keep your child occupied? On the other hand private schools often have more expensive uniforms and costly activities.

3.       Remember your child is an individual. You need to visit the schools and get a feel for what would suit your child. You child may need the nurturing, one on one environment of an independent school with smaller class sizes or they may be very confident and flourish in a local comprehensive.

4.       Are you in catchment?  If you are thinking about getting your child into a really good state secondary have you checked that you actually live in catchment? Check with your local authority. It’s also worth asking about admissions criteria.

5.       Does your child have special needs? If so you need to talk to your ideal schools in some detail – how would they cope with your child? Do they have experience with children with the same condition? It can be the case that state schools are better equipped to deal with special needs.

It’s worth remembering that you can transfer between the systems, so if your child has been in an independent primary school (prep) then you can apply for a state secondary school or apply for sixth-form College after a private secondary education. And if you feel like you child needs additional help outside of school then track down a tutoring company who have experience of all school systems.

If you need help preparing your child for independent school entrance exam tests or need extra tutoring support while they are at state, grammar or independent secondary school and you are based in the Manchester, Macclesfield, Stockport, Trafford, Wilmslow, Cheshire areas we can help. Get in touch with us at 121 Home Tutors.

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How to help your child prepare for their first exam

Friday, October 22nd, 2010

If your child is now in Year 10, November may be when they will take their first ever ‘real’ exam. Some GCSE modules have exams which fall in this month and the results from these tests will be part of the eventual grade that your child achieves.

So if your child has never taken an exam how can you help them prepare?

  • Get the balance right. You need to help your child revise the subjects enough that they do well in the exam without getting them so stressed about it that it affects their physical or emotional well being.
  • Have a plan. Sit with your child and come up with a revision plan, it’s a good idea to figure out how they best learn. Your child’s teacher will have told them what they need to learn so it’s a matter of breaking it down into manageable chunks. Check with the school what exams you child will be taking and when.
  • Take breaks. There is a point where we all switch off from learning or revision and our brain stops taking in information, learn to recognise when that is for your child and build in frequent breaks for food, drink or just relaxation.
  • Flash cards. One idea that works for some children is to create notes or flash cards as they revise each chapter or topic, in this way they can easily see the main points and not get overloaded with information. This is also a good way to review the major topics as the exam gets nearer.
  • Remember to stop. Don’t push your child to revise until minutes before the exam. It’s especially important the night before that they get a good night’s sleep and they can’t do this if their brain is in overdrive.  It’s worth keeping in mind that it’s not the end of the world if they don’t pass, there are always resits.
  • Past papers. It will really help both you and your child if you can see what kind of questions have been asked in the past. Ask your child’s teacher if these are available.
  • Don’t avoid the hard bits. If it looks like your child has a problem in a particular area then don’t avoid it. Maybe try a different technique such as drawing out the problem or talking it through. One way to tackle tricky areas is to have one on one tutoring, where they can focus on a particular area and gain confidence.
  • Eat well. Children who eat a good breakfast perform better at school. During revision periods and on the day of the exam keep them going with a nutritious breakfast such as cereal and make sure they are getting all their essentials vitamins and minerals.

If you think your child needs some one to one help preparing for exams then we can help. If you’re based in the Manchester, Stockport, Wilmslow and Cheshire areas and would like to discuss exam tuition options, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at 121 Home Tutors.

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Independent School Entrance Tests

Friday, September 24th, 2010

Passing the entrance test to get into an independent school is sometimes a slightly different business from passing the 11+ tests set by state grammar schools. Every independent school is free to set its own tests, and, although many use systems very similar to the 11+, some vary considerably.

As such, if your child is attempting to gain a place at an independent school near you, it’s crucially important that you understand the way the selection process works. Many independent schools offer past papers to help your prepare, which you should definitely accept if they are on offer.

Typical test components often include:

  • Maths – essential skills based on the topics your child should have covered in the upper years of primary or prep school.

  • English – often in the form of an extended essay question to assess your child’s written fluency and skill with spelling and punctuation. However, comprehension tests are sometimes involved, too.

  • Verbal reasoning – logic and problem solving puzzles similar to the ones sat in the traditional 11+ test. An ability to ‘frame’ the problem rapidly (i.e., understand and conceptualise it) is very important.

  • Non-verbal reasoning – logic problems based on shapes, sequences or patterns. They often take the form of ‘odd one out’ or ‘what comes next’ questions. These are perhaps slightly less common in independent school entrance tests, but it’s not at all unusual to come across them.

  • An assessment day, during which potential entrants will come in and experience a day at the school and monitored to see how they get on. This has recently been introduced, for example, at Manchester Grammar School.

In addition, the school may ask to see a portfolio of work from your child’s primary school. There will usually also be an interview, but interviewing well won’t make up for poor results in the academic tests. Getting a high score really is essential.

So, as a parent, what can you do to ensure the maximum chance of success? Once you’ve established the structure of the entrance tests you’ll need to come up with a preparation strategy: don’t expect your child’s current school to help much, especially if it’s a state primary.

You probably have a good idea of your child’s strengths and weaknesses, so the key to a successful strategy lies in working out where the potential problems will fall in the tests and working to address them. There are plenty of good revision guides on the market to boost English and Maths skills.

If the entrance test involves an 11+ style verbal reasoning component, you might also consider some practice tests – the Bond Assessment Papers are probably the best available.

Aside from that, there are various other general things you can bear in mind:

  • Vocabulary can make a big difference. This isn’t just a question of succeeding in English tests; good wordpower will help your child make sense of verbal reasoning questions quickly, ensuring an accurate understanding of the problem and saving valuable time in the test. Encourage reading over the summer, along with use of the dictionary to find out unfamiliar words.

  • Even if there isn’t a specific English test, spelling and punctuation matter. If your child is a borderline case, the school may look at the quality of his or her writing in written answers to verbal reasoning questions. Look at your child’s previous work, make lists of ‘problem’ words and encourage him or her to learn them. Revise punctuation, especially apostrophes to indicate possession and plurality.

  • Good mental arithmetic skills are important. Again, quick, reliable arithmetic can make all the difference in reasoning tests.

  • Finally, puzzles, word games and logic problems are always beneficial for sharpening the brain before entrance tests, and bright children can find them very enjoyable. Even simple crosswords and Sudokos can make a big difference and help your child develop fast, accurate logical thinking skills.

Finally, one of the best ways to give your child a head start is to hire a tutor. If you’re based in the Manchester, Stockport, Macclesfield, Wilmslow or Cheshire areas, contact us to discuss your situation – we have a number of tutors who are very experienced when it comes to coaching children for independent school entrance examinations.

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11 plus/ grammar school entrance tests – gear up for September!

Tuesday, July 6th, 2010

If your child has just completed Year 5 and you’re hoping for a place at a state grammar school you’ll know that this year’s summer holiday is critical. The 11+/entrance test season starts in the first week of September. (Independent school entrance tests tend to take place after Christmas – we’ll cover them in a post later in the year.)

To take our own region as an example of how Eleven Plus (11+) / entrance exam timings tend to work, Altrincham Grammar School for Girls and Altrincham Grammar School for Boys usually kick-off a test season that continues through to mid October/November. At 121 Home Tutors we have many students that enrol for last minute, summer holiday tuition and ‘cramming’. We advise that those planning to sit the early September/October entrance exams (for example the Trafford Grammar schools tests) work to a regular timetable of study. Even half an hour per day can make a crucial difference.

Young minds can very easily forget things they have learned, and with a summer holiday that varies from five to ten weeks, keeping numeracy, literacy and reasoning skills fine-tuned is essential. Competition for the state grammar schools in the Trafford area is very intense, especially in the current economic climate. Pass marks over 80% have become the norm.

So what can you and your child expect of ‘your’ entrance tests, and what can you do to prepare? Well, if your son or daughter is gearing up to sit an Eleven Plus (11+) or similar entrance exam, you have probably already found out from your prospective school or schools roughly what the contents of the test will be. Local entrance tests always have Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-verbal Reasoning components, and some also add an English component:

  • Maths –This is usually based on core skills learned during KS2 but at the demanding end of the spectrum. Children should be aiming towards a level 5 standard.
  • Verbal reasoning – typically, these are logic problems, involving both number and word type puzzles. A rapid ability to ‘frame’ the problem (i.e., understand and conceptualise it) is very important. For children not in Trafford primary schools verbal (and no-verbal) reasoning will be new to them as its not likely to be covered in school.
  • Non-verbal reasoning – logic problems based on shapes, sequences or patterns. They often take the form of ‘odd one out’ or ‘what comes next’ questions.
  • English – Some schools use comprehension-type tests, others test fluency and accuracy of writing by requiring candidates to write a short essay or story. Spelling, vocabulary and punctuation, use of language and handwriting are some key skills the schools are looking for.

Preparatory work with your child
As a parent, it is possible to help your child prepare for each type of test. In our experience, getting your kids to do some preparation in the holidays doesn’t need to be that difficult – especially because if they are planning to sit the tests they are probably the bright, engaged types who will enjoy a mental challenge. Bright kids especially enjoy verbal reasoning tests. The Bond assessment papers are an excellent resource and offer good short tests – we usually advise aiming to cover a paper a day in each of the required topics.

What else can you do to prepare? There are various bits and pieces of useful advice – the school you are applying for might even give you a few pointers. Here are some broad ideas to start you off:

  • Vocabulary can make a big difference. This isn’t just a question of succeeding in English tests; good wordpower will help your child make sense of verbal reasoning questions quickly, ensuring an accurate understanding of the problem and saving valuable time in the test. Encourage reading over the summer, along with use of the dictionary to find out unfamiliar words.
  • Even if there isn’t a specific English test, spelling and punctuation matter. If your child is a borderline case, the school may look at the quality of his or her writing in written answers to verbal reasoning questions. Look at your child’s previous work, make lists of ‘problem’ words and encourage him or her to learn them. Revise punctuation, especially apostrophes to indicate possession and plurality.
  • Strong (and accurate!) mental arithmetic skills are important. Again, quick, reliable arithmetic can make all the difference in reasoning tests.
  • Past and sample papers are often available – we’ve already mentioned Bond products. Get hold of as many different ones as you can and work on them over the summer. Don’t pressurise your child too hard (you don’t want to teach them to hate logic tests…) but it can be a good idea to get your child to sit down and work through a paper a day, or at least a few a week. They generally take 45-50 minutes each. Closer to the test it is a good idea to practice doing past/sample papers to time to get your child used to the time constraints.
  • Going on holiday? As well as past papers and your child’s choice of reading, pack some books of puzzles, word games and logic problems. There are loads available in the shops, suitable for all ages. Even simple crosswords and Sudokos can make a big difference and help your child develop fast, accurate logical thinking skills.

If you’re in the Greater Manchester or Cheshire area and you’d like some extra help, get in touch with 121 Home Tutors. Our tutors are very experienced at supporting children in the run up to the Eleven Plus (11+) and entrance tests, and will help you give your child the best possible help and support at this stressful and exciting time!

You might also be in interested in this post from last year on the 11+ test.

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Tutoring for the eleven plus exam (11+)

Friday, November 6th, 2009

The eleven plus (11+) exam has always been something of a hot political potato with the main parties agreeing that it should be phased out. The compulsory 11+ exam ended 40 years ago but there are still 164 grammars schools and 36 local authorities that have selective schools. In Manchester and Cheshire, especially in the Trafford Borough,  there are a number of schools that require passing the eleven plus for entrance, and it looks as though tutors will always be needed in this area.

The eleven plus (11+) entrance exam tests Maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning and English (not all schools test for English – you can find out what the entrance exams consists of by contacting the school).

Often children get very anxious about preparing for the eleven plus and this can affect their performance on the day. A private eleven plus tutor, working with them at home, can explain how to tackle each part of the verbal and non-verbal reasoning sections of the exam. An eleven plus (11+) tutor can then set a schedule of learning so the student does not become overwhelmed and is confident and relaxed when they sit the eleven plus entrance exam.

You can find comprehensive information on the eleven plus (11+) at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eleven_plus_exam

Help me find an eleven plus (11+) private home tutor…

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