During our summer holiday practice, my child's 11 plus exam practice scores decreased.
What caused this? We provide an explanation for why this may have occurred.
Parents desire their child to excel in the 11 plus exam and frequently wonder, “Why have the practice test scores declined during the long summer break?” This concern often grows as the new school year in September approaches and their child returns to school.
As a classroom teacher, I have prepared many children for the 11 plus exam and noticed that even bright students often experience a drop in their scores over the summer and at the beginning of the new term.
Most children view summer as a time to relax and enjoy a break from schoolwork, and they generally resist extra prep work in July and August. Being 10 or 11 years old, they might not fully grasp the importance of additional 11 plus practice.
Children understand that they will engage in more 11 plus preparation upon returning to school in September, making it challenging for parents to motivate them to practice during July and August. Parents may become frustrated if their child doesn’t embrace this extra practice, and children can sense this concern, which can exacerbate the issue.
Consistent revision over the summer can positively impact their 11 plus scores when they return to school, even if their marks initially seem to decline.
In September, schools preparing students for the 11 plus exam will continue revising Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, English, and math, or the subjects relevant to the 11 plus in your area. They often proceed to practice materials that mimic the actual exam. Scores may drop as children encounter professionally printed practice papers similar to the real tests, which they may not have seen before. The volume of preparation can be overwhelming for some, causing scores to dip.
These factors, among others, can lead to a temporary decline in 11 plus practice scores.
This is a common concern for many parents.
So, how can we enhance the practice situation during the summer holidays?
No one knows your child better than you, so select from these suggestions what suits you and your child best.
1) Schedule practice at the same time each day. Early morning is often ideal to complete work before other activities begin.
2) Avoid letting your child view extra work as punishment by sitting with them during the practice test.
3) Your child is already aware of how siblings, friends, or relatives performed in the 11 plus and doesn’t need reminders. Avoid comparisons.
4) Ensure practice tests closely resemble the actual exam if you ask your child to practice “real tests.”
5) Try not to become overly anxious yourself. Your child will likely pick up on your worries, increasing their pressure.
As a teacher, I have prepared many children for the 11 plus exam and used this experience to create materials that closely mirror the question types found in many 11 plus exam papers.
We hope this information is helpful and wish you and your child success in the 11 plus Exam.
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