5 Intensive 11 Plus Crash Courses for Late Reviewers
As the 11 Plus exam approaches, many find themselves in need of intensive, short-term preparation to sharpen their skills and boost their confidence. Intensive crash courses are designed specifically for this purpose, offering focused sessions that aim to cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time.
For those in need of last-minute revision or want additional resources before taking exams in grammar schools and independent schools, these courses provide an invaluable resource. Here, we explore some notable options for intensive 11 Plus crash courses and classes.
Comprehensive Revision Courses
Comprehensive revision courses are ideal for those who need an all-encompassing review of the 11 Plus syllabus. Their courses and classes typically run over a few days or weeks and cover all key areas of the exam, including verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, mathematics, and English.
They are structured to provide an in-depth review of essential topics and practice with past papers and mock exams. Often led by experienced tutors, these courses aim to identify and address each student’s individual weaknesses, providing tailored support to ensure effective revision.
Targeted Practice Sessions
For children who have already covered much of the 11 Plus material and lessons but need a final push, targeted practice sessions offer a focused approach. These sessions are usually shorter in duration and concentrate on specific areas where the student may need improvement.
For instance, if a student struggles with certain types of maths questions or verbal reasoning problems, targeted practice sessions can help refine their skills and enhance their performance. These sessions often include problem-solving exercises, practice tests, and feedback from tutors to address particular areas of difficulty.
That way, children and parents are able to monitor progress by narrowing down the important topics that one may need more help on. This could vary from critical thinking skills, maths, creative writing, and other subjects in the final exam — assuring that children can pass with flying colours.
Intensive Boot Camps
Intensive boot camps are a popular choice for those requiring 11 Plus intensive preparation in a condensed format. These boot camps typically span several days, with multiple intensive course sessions each day focusing on different aspects of the 11 Plus entrance exams.
Each intensive course session is designed to have children engaged in a learning environment, often including a mix of teaching, practice exercises, and challenging exams with identifying similarities with the 11 Plus entrance exams.
The immersive nature of boot camps helps students consolidate their knowledge quickly and build valuable exam techniques under timed conditions while undergoing a conducive learning journey.
Online Crash Courses
In today’s digital age, online crash courses offer flexibility for those who may not be able to attend in-person sessions. Online courses provide the advantage of accessing quality instruction even with children sitting inside their homes. What’s also good here is a child’s progress can easily be monitored by their parents as they can sit in on some of the lessons.
These online courses often include live webinars, interactive exercises, and access to a range of online resources. They are designed to offer intensive revision and practice tailored to the 11 Plus exam, with the added benefit of being able to fit study sessions around other commitments of the child.
Online crash courses are a good option if the family has plans of traveling for the summer but still wants their child to have a summer intensive course that can fit a moving schedule. Just be wary of the start date so you can make the most of the 11 summer intensive courses to get your intensive tuition money’s worth.
One-to-One Intensive Tutoring
For personalised, focused preparation, one-to-one intensive tutoring can be highly effective for an 11 summer intensive program. This option allows students to work closely with a tutor who can tailor sessions and teaching methods to address the specific needs and weaknesses of a child.
One-to-one tutoring provides the opportunity for targeted intervention and immediate feedback, which can be particularly beneficial for late reviewers. This is a huge plus as a big class size would often have children that can disrupt 11 Plus intensive courses, even amidst the excellent teaching skills of tutors and teachers in summer school.
Tutors often provide a bespoke study plan for the week, combining revision of key concepts with practice exercises and mock tests to maximise the student’s performance in the final stages before the exam. This assures that children are well-equipped no matter the exam conditions.
Summary
Choosing the right intensive crash course depends on the student’s current level of preparation, their specific needs, and their schedule leading up to the 11 Plus exam.
Whether opting for a comprehensive revision course, targeted practice sessions, an intensive boot camp, an online course, or one-to-one tutoring, the goal is to provide focused, effective preparation that can make a significant difference in the final stages of revision.
By investing in these intensive options, students can enhance their readiness and approach the exam with greater self-confidence. Not to mention, it can also serve as a refresher for those who want added preparation for getting into grammar schools or independent schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the reviews and feedback for 11 Plus crash courses?
Reviews and feedback vary widely, reflecting different experiences and outcomes based on the specific course and provider. Overall, these courses are often praised for their focused, intensive approach, but individual feedback can provide deeper insights into their effectiveness.
Many parents and students have found them to be highly beneficial for last-minute preparation. For instance, parents have reported that their children gained significant confidence and improved their performance in the final weeks before the school exam.
A common sentiment among reviews is that these courses provide a structured, concentrated review of the material, which is particularly useful for reinforcing knowledge and practising exam techniques.
For example, a parent of a student who attended a crash course with the QE Boys programme noted that the tailored support and rigorous mock exam practice helped their child tackle challenging topics effectively, ultimately contributing to their success in the exam.
The Slough Consortium, known for its involvement in grammar school admissions, has also been a topic of discussion in reviews. Some feedback highlights that crash courses aligned with the Slough Consortium’s requirements were particularly helpful, as they focused on the specific types of questions asked and formats used in the Consortium’s exams. This alignment with the Consortium’s style of questioning allowed children to become familiar with the format and improved their performance.
Moreover, many reviews emphasise that intensive crash courses are especially advantageous for students who need a final boost in their preparation. A notable review mentioned a parent whose younger son passed grammar school admission after enrolling in a crash course. The parent credited the course with providing critical last-minute revision and mock exam practice that helped their son to achieve a high score.
This feedback underscores the value of these courses in offering focused, intensive support from a tutor paired with intensive summer school can make significant differences in a student’s, in this case performance of their son.
However, it is worth noting that not all feedback is entirely positive. Some reviews caution that the intense pace of school crash courses might not suit every student. For those who prefer a more gradual week-on-week approach, the pressure and condensed schedule of a crash course might be overwhelming. The amount of homework given may also be too much for some.
Additionally, the effectiveness of a crash course can depend on the quality of the instruction from the tutor and school, and how well the course material aligns with the specific exam requirements.
Is there a summer intensive course for grammar school admission exams?
Yes, there are summer intensive courses specifically designed for admission to grammar schools, which provide a focused and concentrated form of preparation during the summer holidays. An intensive summer course is aimed at helping students refine their skills and enhance their readiness for the 11 Plus, which is typically taken in the autumn.
In a summer course, a student would typically engage in a range of activities designed to maximise one’s preparation. This may include intensive practice sessions focusing on specific question types and subjects such as Maths, non-verbal reasoning, or creative writing, timed mock exams to simulate the test environment, and personalised feedback to address individual areas of difficulty.
One can also expect that additional homework, more than the usual amount in regular school and tutor classes, will be given. This helps the school reinforce pupil understanding of key concepts even at home.
The courses are structured to offer a rigorous review of the material, with the aim of helping a student better prepare.
Do intensive courses cover verbal reasoning?
Yes, intensive courses for grammar schools typically cover verbal reasoning. These courses are designed to provide comprehensive preparation, including practice and strategies for tackling verbal reasoning questions. In addition to verbal reasoning, these courses generally cover a range of subjects and topics essential for the exam.
Maths is a major component of the 11 Plus exams, and intensive courses often focus on key areas such as arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data handling. These sessions aim to build problem-solving skills and ensure students are comfortable with various types of questions they might encounter in the maths section.
English is another crucial subject, encompassing reading comprehension, vocabulary, and writing skills. Intensive courses typically include exercises to improve grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure, as well as practice with comprehension passages to enhance reading skills.
Non-verbal reasoning is also covered, with a focus on understanding and interpreting visual information. This includes topics such as pattern recognition, spatial awareness, and logical reasoning. Intensive courses provide practice with different types of non-verbal reasoning questions to help students develop the skills needed to tackle these challenges effectively.
Some intensive courses may also offer practice with past papers and mock exams to familiarise students with the exam format and timing. This practice helps build exam technique and confidence, allowing students to refine their approach and improve their performance.
Overall, these intensive courses aim to offer a comprehensive review of all key subjects and topics relevant to the 11 Plus exams, providing targeted support to help students excel in their assessments.
Is it recommended for my child to enrol in an 11 Plus crash course?
Deciding whether to enrol your child in a school crash course requires careful consideration of several factors, as these courses can offer significant benefits but may not be the right fit for every student.
First, consider your child’s current level of preparation. A crash course is designed for students who are looking for concentrated revision close to the exam date. If your child has already covered much of the 11 Plus material and mainly needs a final review, an intensive crash course can provide the targeted reinforcement they need.
However, if they are at the beginning stages of preparation or have significant gaps in their knowledge, a more comprehensive and prolonged study plan might be more suitable.
Another important factor is your child’s learning style. Intensive courses can be fast-paced and demanding, and while some students thrive in such environments, others might find them stressful. It’s essential to evaluate whether your child will respond well to short-term, high-intensity study sessions.
If they are comfortable with rapid, focused learning and can handle the pressure, a crash course might be beneficial. Conversely, if they prefer a steadier, more gradual approach, a different preparation method may be more appropriate.
Time availability also plays a crucial role. Crash courses typically require a significant time commitment over a short period and additional homework they might bring. Ensure that this aligns with your child’s schedule and that they can manage the intensity of the course without added stress. Balancing the demands of a crash course with other commitments, such as schoolwork and extracurricular activities, is important to avoid overwhelming your child.
It is also important to consider your child’s specific needs. If they have particular areas where they struggle, a crash course that offers tailored sessions to address these weaknesses can be highly effective. Many courses provide focused practice and support for areas like maths, verbal reasoning, or non-verbal reasoning, which can help your child improve in those specific areas.
Finally, think about your child’s approach to exams. If they need to improve their exam technique or gain experience with timed conditions, crash courses often include mock exams and timed practice, which can be very useful. This practical experience can help them develop effective strategies and build confidence.
In summary, enrolling your child in a crash course can be highly beneficial if it matches their current preparation level, learning style, and specific needs. If you believe they would benefit from intensive, focused revision and are ready for the commitment, a well-chosen crash course can be a valuable part of their final stages of preparation.
