There is no lack of resources when preparing for 11+ with Twinkl, TES and Schoefield & Sims being favourites.
However, many schools now use the ISEB Common pre-test (or just ‘ISEB’) as a first round of testing, in order to cut the numbers of applicants down. For example, St Paul’s School has over 1000 applicants per year competing for 100 places or so. After the ISEB, 750 students (or 3/4 ) of applicants are rejected; only 250 are invited back for written examinations.
Schools encourage students not to prepare for their 11+ tests (which I’m sure most parents don’t ahem), but if you do feel some familiarisation would be helpful, we strongly encourage all students to practice using either Atom Learning or Century Tech – websites where students can get used to the online, multiple choice nature of the test. But which is better? Here we break down the benefits.
Atom Learning
- Has been around longer than Century Tech so the platform is more fun and motivating: games, rewards and emojis gamify the learning process.
- Unlimited mock tests which mirrors the test length and amount of questions students will encounter in the real test
- Adaptive questions so questions get harder if the student is doing well, just like the real test.
- A huge number of students have taken these tests meaning the SAS score (Standardised Age Score) measures the student’s performance against a huge pool of students.
- Very easy for tutors to set homework
Century Tech
- The massive benefit is that all of the questions are endorsed by the ISEB meaning that this platform develops questions which are almost identical to the real thing.
- All topics listed in the ISEB tab are updated meaning there is an up to date syllabus listed.
- Although the mocks mirror the ISEB, there are a imited number of them. Students can only take 8 mocks per month which simply isn’t enough when at the later stages of preparation.
- Poor feedback after the mocks: students aren’t able to see the questions which they get correct / incorrect in their mocks, only the topics.
- Not possible to set homework through the platform. Students have to note down which ‘nuggets’ they are to complete, rather than tutors setting work directly.
So, there we have it. In our opinion it’s useful to use these platforms alongside each other, but when it comes to 6 months out from the ISEB, switch entirely to Century. They have got a partnership with the examination board and is the only place you’ll be able to find questions and mocks which are identical to the test itself.
If you’d like any advice or support with preparing for the 11+, please get in touch.
