Many features of the Bucks 11 Plus examination are reflected in each of our Mock 11 Plus Test Sessions. These include:
- GL-style multiple-choice tests
- Bucks 11+ exam format
- separate Question Booklets and Answer Sheets
- recorded test instructions
- timed sections
- test invigilation
Beaconsfield School of Education Mock 11 Plus Sessions in Beaconsfield enable
children to experience being tested in a formal examination setting. They gain
confidence by learning more about what to expect in their real 11 Plus exam. They gain
insight into the need to answer questions quickly but accurately. They also get
invaluable practice of how to enter their answers on a separate Answer
Sheet and how to follow recorded instructions.
What is in the Mock Tests?
There are two multiple-choice Mock 11 Plus Tests in a Session. There is a short break of around 15 minutes between the Tests.
- The first Mock Test in each Session consists of Reading Comprehension, spelling, punctuation and cloze procedure (gap-fill) and Verbal Reasoning (5 different question types)
- The second Mock Test in each Session consists of Non-Verbal Reasoning (4 different question types), Spatial Reasoning (1 question type) and Maths (short maths, long maths and statistics)
Benefits of a BSE Mock 11+ Test Session
- Helps identify which areas need further practice
- Confidence-building
- Skills-building - handling test instructions and transferring answers quickly but accurately onto a separate Answer Sheet are skills which require practice
- A first class Mock Test Session venue, conveniently located just a few minutes
off the M40 Junction 2
- A quick results turnaround
- Itemised breakdown of VR and NVR marks
The Mocks give children the opportunity to sit two full tests with their peers, under formal exam conditions. They provide valuable experience of the timing and pace involved in 11 Plus tests.
The Mock Test results will help you and your child identify strengths and weaknesses. This will enable you to focus on any skills requiring further practice.
What is Included?
The Mock Test Session:
- Two multiple-choice GL-style Mock 11 Plus Tests of approximately 60 minutes
each with recorded, timed test instructions.
The Test Session Feedback:
- A Test Report Summary and Results Tables provide a description
of the Mock Test content, both the sections and the question types. The target
overall 'pass' mark for each Mock Test is indicated. The average mark, the highest
score and the lowest score are also indicated. There are two Results Tables. The
first ranks scores in each of the Mock Tests separately. The second ranks the
combined Mock Test scores.
- An Individual Test Report indicating the marks achieved by
your child, both as a total mark and itemised by test section. Verbal Reasoning and
Non-Verbal Reasoning scores are further itemised by sub-section (Reading
Comprehension, Synonyms, Spelling, Matrices, Series etc). Parents are also informed
if a section was not attempted.
- The Test Report Summary and Results Tables and the Individual Test Report are forwarded to parents by email as PDF files.
Please note:
- Beaconsfield School of Education is not associated with GL Assessment®, the 11 Plus test provider for Bucks primary schools.
- Sample questions and answers are provided with the Test Report Summary. The Question Booklets and Answer Sheets used in the actual tests are not made available to parents or tutors. Parents can contact the School should they require further details, for example regarding how many questions were unanswered.
- Mock Test results do not take into account the month candidates were born and are not age adjusted. This is because complex algorithms are involved in age standardisation procedures.
The 11 Plus in Bucks
Pupils take two 11 Plus tests lasting around 60 minutes. The first paper tests Reading Comprehension,
Verbal Reasoning and Technical English and the second paper tests Non-Verbal Reasoning,
Spatial Reasoning and Maths. The scores in the two tests are added together. They are
then age standardised to produce the final score.
It is important to score well in all three parts of the 11 Plus test. In the Bucks 11
Plus, the overall weighting is:
- Reading Comprehension/Technical English/Verbal Reasoning: 50%
- Maths: 25%
- Non-Verbal Reasoning/Spatial Reasoning: 25%
The academic standard of the test is generally aligned to the Year 5 National Curriculum in English and Maths. However, a wider knowledge of Standard English vocabulary is of great benefit. Writing skills are not tested.
The 11 Plus tests may include a combination of the following components:
- Reading comprehension - skimming for gist, scanning for specific information,
inferring, logical deduction
- Vocabulary - identifying synonyms and antonyms
- Maths - data handling: statistics
- Grammar, syntax and vocabulary - sentence gap-fill
- Deciphering letter and number codes
- Vocabulary - identifying words hidden between other words
- Punctuation - identifying inaccurate punctuation
- Vocabulary - identifying word families
- Logical deduction - inferring from a set of given statements
- Maths - mental arithmetic
- Grammar - identifying word classes
- Spelling - identifying spelling errors
- Maths - multi-step word problems
- Vocabulary - identifying spelling errors
- Non-Verbal Reasoning and Spatial Reasoning
- Cloze procedure - completing missing letters or words in a passage
- handling difficult or unfamiliar questions
- checking the meaning of test questions
- time management - answering questions at a suitable pace
- entering answers accurately and correctly on the separate Answer Sheet
- dealing with unanswered questions when time is running out
- checking answers if time is available
Some maths questions involve reading comprehension skills. In these word
problems, the children are required to find answers to mathematical problems based on
their understanding of a short text. This can be challenging for some children. It may
not be clear to them what calculation(s) they need to make. They may also find the
scenarios distracting, making it difficult for them to focus on the maths element.
Practice under test conditions can be very helpful in this respect.
Non-Verbal Reasoning questions test the ability to logically sequence patterns and shapes. Spatial Reasoning questions test the ability to think about shapes and objects spatially and to manipulate them mentally. In other words, candidates need to picture a shape in their head and move it around. Suitable exam preparation for NVR and Spatial Reasoning is regular practice of the various question types.
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