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  • Transitioning from state schools to independent schools at 11+

    My experience of tutoring children for the 11+ over the past 15 years has shown me some start realities about the chances many state school pupils have. Although the exams are based on the Key Stage 2 curriculum, there are some pitfalls that parents of children doing their year 6 in a state school should be aware of:

    1. Your school is not directly preparing your child to be ready for this exam. Some schools offer some preparation for the 11 +, most offer little or none.
    2. Although your child will learn everything required for the 11+ in school, there is no guarantee that they will learn it all in time for the exams, which occur early in the school year.
    3. A focused programme of study geared toward the 11+ may well reveal areas of relative strength that need nevertheless need to be improved. For good or ill, the 11+ test will likely go beyond what your child learns in school in some ways.

    Of course, this means that successful 11+ candidates prepare strategically for the challenge of the exams. This can be through self-study, tuition or some combination of the two.

  • What is non-verbal reasoning?

    What is non-verbal reasoning?

    Non-verbal reasoning is a component of UK independent school entrance examinations that can seem intimidating. It assesses a student’s ability to solve problems and draw logical conclusions using visual patterns and relationships, rather than relying on verbal or written communication.

    Non-verbal reasoning tasks typically involve the interpretation and manipulation of shapes, symbols, and patterns. Students are presented with a series of diagrams or figures and are required to identify the underlying patterns, make logical connections, and predict the next step in the sequence. This type of reasoning focuses on spatial awareness, pattern recognition, and logical thinking skills.

    Non-verbal reasoning tests are designed to measure a student’s potential for problem-solving, critical thinking, and cognitive flexibility. By assessing their ability to analyse and manipulate visual information, these tests aim to gauge a student’s aptitude for subjects such as mathematics, science, and technology.

    What makes non-verbal reasoning particularly attractive to schools in the context of independent school entrance examinations is the notion that non-verbal reasoning tests somehow assess innate intelligence and reasoning abilities, rather than relying solely on academic knowledge. There is a belief that this kind of assessment provides a fair and objective evaluation of a student’s potential, regardless of their background or prior educational experiences.

    Preparation for non-verbal reasoning tests involves developing key skills such as spatial reasoning, pattern recognition, and logical deduction. Students can enhance their performance through practice and familiarisation with different types of visual patterns and sequences. Familiarity with common non-verbal reasoning question types and strategies for solving them can significantly improve results.

    In conclusion, understanding the nature of non-verbal reasoning and preparing accordingly can greatly enhance a student’s chances of success in these competitive examinations.

  • What is verbal reasoning?

    What is verbal reasoning?

    Verbal reasoning is the ability to understand and solve problems using language. It involves thinking about words and their meanings, and how they relate to each other.

    In other words, if you are good at verbal reasoning, you can use language to figure out answers to questions, puzzles, and problems.

    For example, if you were given a riddle like “I am always hungry, I must always be fed. The finger I touch, will soon turn red. What am I?” verbal reasoning would help you figure out that the answer is fire.

    Verbal reasoning is a really important skill to have because it helps you in many areas of life. It can help you with schoolwork, reading comprehension, and even everyday conversations.

    So, if you want to get better at verbal reasoning, start reading more books, doing puzzles and brain teasers, and practicing your vocabulary. With practice, you’ll be able to use language to solve all kinds of problems!