The Common Entrance (11+) Exam
What Is the Common Entrance (11+) Exam?
The Common Entrance exam is part of the admissions process for U.K. public and boarding schools. Categorised to correspond with students’ ages, the most frequently taken Common Entrance exams are the 10+, 11+, and 13+ exams. Depending on the school, the Common Entrance exams take place between November and February of the academic year prior to the intended start at the school.
The 11+ exam is taken by children in their final year of primary school, i.e. Year 6. There is no set exam for the 11+. This means that 11+ exam papers vary across different schools and between areas of the country. Typically, however, the Common Entrance 11+ exam will include an English component, made up of reading comprehension and creative writing tasks, as well as a maths section. In addition, students may have to complete verbal and non-verbal reasoning papers. Generally speaking, these exam papers will take anywhere from 45 to 60 minutes to complete.
The Importance of the Common Entrance (11+) Exam
The importance of the Common Entrance exams cannot be underestimated. These examinations, particularly the 11+, are extremely competitive and do influence what secondary school a candidate will attend. However, it should be noted that the Common Entrance examinations are not the only deciding factor into which school a child enrols.
How schools operate with regard to their admissions is highly variable. Some schools will require students to sit entrance exams, as well as attend rounds of interviews, and complete a variety of other assessments. Of course, applications will also be expected to share their report cards for previous academic years. So, while entrance tests like the 11+ Common Entrance exam do have a role to play, the admissions process often contains multiple components beyond these papers.
The Challenge of the Common Entrance Exam
The Common Entrance exams are unlike other tests a candidate may have taken. Rather than examining a student’s knowledge on a particular topic, the Common Entrance exam is constructed to test a learner’s holistic study skills. What this means is that those sitting the 11+ Common Entrance exam cannot rely on a list of terms or equations to carry them through the test. Schools want to see how students manage when they are confronted with the unexpected. Needless to say, this means that preparing for the 11+ Common Entrance exam is challenging. Additionally, schools have the option of creating their own test papers rather than using those developed by the Independent Schools Examination Board (ISEB), meaning that there is often a lack of standardisation between papers. All of this is to say that the Common Entrance exams, by their very nature, are a challenge.
How to Revise for the 11+
Understanding the challenge inherent to the 11+ Common Entrance exam is the first step in a student’s journey towards success. The next is beginning to revise. It is recommended that revision for any of the Common Entrance exams begin at least six months before the test date. This gives the candidate adequate time to prepare for the variety of papers they may encounter.
It is important to draw up a revision schedule before any work is begun. It is not enough to simply sit at a desk at different times of the day with the hope of achieving something. Parents should work with their children to craft a functional timetable that allows students time to complete homework and school assignments, as well as explore hobbies and interests, along with studying for the 11+ Common Entrance exam. Additionally, it is crucial that such a timetable offers variation with regard to what is revised. For example, completing four hours of back-to-back maths revision on a Saturday may seem productive, but it is unlikely that a child can maintain focus for so long. Keep activities varied and avoid placing too much pressure on the child. No doubt, they are nervous enough as it is.
Common Entrance Revision Resources
There are innumerable Common Entrance revision resources available to those sitting the exam. Depending on the target school, institutions may make available sample papers on their website that mirror the type of test paper regularly issued during the real exam. In fact, whether a student is applying to such a school or not, these sample papers would still be useful. After all, the more exposure a candidate receives to different question types, the better they should fare during the real test. Additionally, companies that specialise in publishing 11+ Common Entrance textbooks have a wealth of material available for purchase on their websites that can be beneficial to learners.
BartyED Support and the Common Entrance (11+) Exam
At BartyED, our expert Common Entrance tutors have guided countless students through their admissions exams, across all age levels. Our tutors understand the unique pressure that young learners are under when taking the Common Entrance exams and work with them to not only mitigate any nervousness, but build confidence. That is why the experience of a Common Entrance tutor is so important: we recognise the difficulties the examination poses and create targeted learning plans to fit each student’s unique educational needs.
If you think that your child could benefit from the knowledge and guidance of a BartyED Common Entrance exam tutor, then reach out to us today. You can contact us by phone at (+852) 2882 1017, or through our email address, enquiries@bartyed.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The Common Entrance exam is one aspect of the admissions process for U.K. public and boarding schools, and is categorised in correspondence with students’ ages.
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Broadly speaking, candidates can expect to answer questions in English, mathematics, as well as verbal and non-verbal reasoning.
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It is recommended to take about 6 months to prepare for the Common Entrance exam.
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The best revision method is to work with an experienced Common Entrance tutor, who understands not only the types of questions asked but also the pressure students face.