Exam Advice & School Guides
The ISEB Pre-Test
Free videos for the ISEB computer Pre-Test: learn the key skills.
read moreVerbal Reasoning: When You Don’t Know The Words!
How to answer 11 plus VR questions effectively, even when there are gaps in your vocabulary.
read moreHow to use 11 Plus Lifeline resources for Maths, English Comprehension, Writing & Reasoning
11 Plus Lifeline is the UK’s most comprehensive 11+ service. A lot of parents ask how to get the most out of their papers. In this article I make it easy.
read moreHow To Revise For GCSE & IGCSE French – The Complete Guide
Are you worried about how to revise for French GCSE? Do you know that feeling when you sit down to study – and just don’t know where to start?
read moreLess Is More In Creative Writing – Even At 11-Plus!
Why vocabulary is about quality, not quantity, why adjectives and adverbs should be used sparingly … and what Benjamin Franklin had to say on the subject
read moreHow To Prepare For School Admissions Interviews
How to help your child – and what not to do!
read moreTen 11+ & 13+ Creative Writing Tips For Excellent Exam Stories
When my students get the hang of these techniques, it makes an enormous difference to their creative writing – but it takes practice!
read moreConsidering Boarding School?
Do you like the idea of boarding school, but don’t know whether it’s right for your child or where to start looking? This article might help.
read more“What Is The Grammar School 11 Plus?” All Your Questions Answered
In this article I provide short, clear answers to the most common questions about Grammar Schools: what and where they are, what the 11 plus is and how to prepare your child for it, how to apply, where to find papers and resources, how to appeal a rejection letter – and so on.
read moreCity Of London School For Boys: Admissions & Entrance Exam Advice (10+ & 11+)
City of London School For Boys is unusual because the first entry point is in Year 6 (“Old Grammar”, as they call it), with a 10-plus entrance exam and interview in Year 5. Around 40 boys join at this stage, with most of the rest joining for Year 7, after sitting 11-plus papers. In this article, I’ll give my advice for the exams and interviews at both levels, setting out everything you need to know in order to give your child the best chance of success.
read moreDulwich College: Admissions & Entrance Exam Advice (11+)
In this article I’ll explain exactly how to prepare your child for the Dulwich College entrance exams and interview, if they are hoping to enter the school in Year 7.
read moreKing Edward’s (KES) Birmingham: Admissions & Entrance Exam Advice
King Edward’s School has an admirably clear, easily understood entrance process. This cannot be said of all independent schools! The exams are fairly challenging, but within the reach of any child with a good grasp of the core primary curriculum, who has practised carefully with similar kinds of test paper.
In this article I will explain exactly how to prepare your child to show themselves at their best in the KES entrance exams and interview.
read moreRGS Newcastle: Admissions & Entrance Exam Advice
In this article I’ll explain how best to prepare your child for the RGS entrance exam and interview.
Please bear in mind, however, that 11-plus exam content can change from year to year. A broad 11-plus preparation is the safest approach – and, at any rate, the most useful.
read moreThe King’s & Queen’s Schools, Chester: Admissions & Entrance Exam Advice
This article explains the best way to prepare for senior school (Year 7, or 11+) entry to the King’s and Queen’s schools in Chester.
read moreSt Paul’s Girls’: Admissions & Entrance Exam Advice
I’ve prepared many children for the St Paul’s Girls’ School entrance exams over the years: often, I’m happy to say, with success. They are some of the most challenging 11+ tests set by a UK school, and also some of the most interesting.
In this article I outline the admissions process, explaining how best to practise for each stage.
read moreManchester Grammar School: Admissions & Entrance Exam Advice
This article explains how to prepare for the MGS entrance assessment. I’ll show you how to guide your child effectively, without wasted effort, if they are hoping to enter the Senior School in Year 7.
read moreThe Essex CSSE 11-Plus Exam: Preparation Advice
The Essex (CSSE) 11+ papers are some of the more traditional entrance tests used by grammar schools. In many ways they are similar to exams often set in the independent sector. The questions are varied and sometimes challenging. This means that they give children the opportunity to show their skills and to be creative.
In this post I’ll take you through the most important areas which your child will need to cover for effective CSSE preparation. These are relevant to all 11-plus exams, but with a special Essex focus!
read more11 Plus DIY Preparation: The Experts’ Advice
I asked 11 education experts, including headteachers, writers & leading tutors, to send me their very best 11+ advice for parents & children.
read more47 GCSE Maths Revision Tips: The Ultimate Guide
So, you’re feeling stuck. But don’t panic! There are loads of methods you can start using right now to get yourself back on track with your maths GCSE.
read moreAnswering ‘What is the effect of this quote?’ or ‘How is ___ effective?’ comprehension questions
I’ve had a few enquiries about this recently, so it seems to be on people’s minds.
read moreThe 22 Best Sites for Free 11 Plus Resources: Past Papers, Advice & Worksheets
Where to find free English, Maths, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning resources, for grammar and independent schools.
read moreHow much homework should my child do?
As a tutor, I find homework a difficult thing to get right. It is easy to set: a minute later I close the door behind me and step into the street with my mind already full of plans for the evening. But the child is left with another burden on their time, already sliced and diced by the demands of school teachers – not to mention parents, some of whom will be setting extra work of their own. As an author of academic materials for young people, I am part of this problem too!
read more“How should I use your papers to prepare for an 11+ English exam?”
“I would like some advice on how to complete your comprehension papers with my child. He has three months until his exam, and I would like to know how to spread the papers out in order that he can complete them in time and make the best use out of them, as ideally I want him to have completed both packs.” Sameena
Here’s my answer!
read moreHow To Become A Private Tutor
I wrote this email to a recent graduate who asked me for advice about establishing herself as a tutor in London.
read more