Entrance exams for private schools for 4 year olds- how are they examined?

[AC786]

I wonder if anyone could tell me how private schools examine 4/5 year olds during their entrance examinations please? I am mostly interested in North London collegiate, Haberdashers, St Helens and Northwood college. Thank you.

[Jellybeanz1]

I don't know your school but when we moved areas and applied to Stockport Grammar school my 8 yr old Dd took examples of work, reports, and sat a reading test graded at average for that year level and completed written comprehension ( short summary paragraphs) a Maths (Bond ) Assessment paper and Bond verbal reasoning book, a short interview with the Head who asked her about her aims and how she might achieve them. She met a class at all the breaks who fussed and looked after her. My 5 year old DS just spent the morning with the class, he told me he had done Maths and read to the teacher and just joined in. They were both offered places on the day but this may be because we were applying at an unusual time and were the only ones doing so. I'm so glad they had the opportunity to attend and glad I didn't know what the test involved or I may have made them do too many practise tests.

[Jellybeanz1]

I don't know your school but when we moved areas and applied to Stockport Grammar school my 8 yr old Dd took examples of work, reports, and sat a reading test graded at average for that year level and completed written comprehension ( short summary paragraphs) a Maths (Bond ) Assessment paper and Bond verbal reasoning book, a short interview with the Head who asked her about her aims and how she might achieve them. She met a class at all the breaks who fussed and looked after her. My 5 year old DS just spent the morning with the class, he told me he had done Maths and read to the teacher and just joined in. They were both offered places on the day but this may be because we were applying at an unusual time and were the only ones doing so. I'm so glad they had the opportunity to attend and glad I didn't know what the test involved or I may have made them do too many practise tests.

[wandymum]

Hi, my DS did assessments aged 4 for lots of the London preps.

The first thing to know is that although they call them assessments they aren't exams. At most of them he had an interview with a teacher (no more than a friendly chat), was asked to maybe draw a picture, build something with blocks or try and write his name. At a couple he then also joined in a fun activity with other children (singing, sitting in a group listening to a story, playing a game) so they could see how he interacted. Some also chatted/interviewed DH and I while he was busy.

That was it. Nothing scary at all. We knew we'd be sending him around to quite a few so told him he was going on visits to see which school he wanted to go to and he really enjoyed the process.

The most interesting thing was that he did form very strong views on which one he preferred.

[Helpyourself]

They're looking for compliance.
I'd steer well clear of a school which tried to select so young.

[scarlettsmummy2]

At my daughters last year all the children already in the nursery were assessed as being able to have a place in primary one (Scotland), so I wouldn't stress too much.

[MamaM76]

Being read a story and asked questions, bead sequencing, writing name, alphabets, names of animals, 6 piece puzzles, etc. Comprehension, knowledge, fine motor skills, etc. Some private school are looking for kids up to 1 year ahead of their age. Ugh!

[mumteacher]

I don't op if you have found what you're looking for but I've put a thread up in primary ed which has a lot of parents and my in put which you may find useful.

[scaevola]

They're checking the child isn't a total thug, can comply with instructions and has age-appropriate capabilities.

And of course selecting what looks like supportive, non-neurotic and solvent parents.

[horsemadmom]

Please don't stess. DD will have fun and decorate a biscuit- they all come out smiling. Nothing you can do to prep beyond puzzles, reading together and doing some arts and crafts. DD's classmates were all very chatty, inquisitive and imaginitive. They all picked things up quickly. DD was one of very few who was a fluent reader when she did the assessment but all were reading well by the end of the 1st term. There's a certain spark to girls who love learning and NLCS can see it. You can't tutor for it. If your DD isn't ready at 4, there's 7 and 11 or one of many other great schools around. Good luck!