Preparing for 11+ interviews
A greater number of secondary schools include an 11+ interview within their admissions process. It allows the schools to get to know their candidates holistically, as people as well as students; so they can decide who they believe will best fit their school. It's a great opportunity for your child to show how they will thrive in that environment and so it’s important that they can portray themselves in the best way possible. Knowing how and when to start preparation can be daunting, so here at Merit Tutors, we created a guide to help your child present themselves as a suitable prospective pupil during their 11+ interviews.
What does the interview consist of?
Of course, each school’s 11+ interview process will differ slightly depending on their independent requirements. However, they are all likely to begin with an ‘About you’ style question: this allows your child to give interviewers an insight into who they are as a person, their characteristics and so on. It also gives the school a chance to get to know your child on a more personal scale, rather relying solely on data sent from their previous school. Some questions they may ask are: Describe yourself in 3 words or What is a difficult situation you have been in and how did you remove yourself from it? They’re also likely to ask Academic questions: they want to see the process of the child reaching their answer, did they come across any problems and how were they overcome? Of course your child should use this opportunity to demonstrate their existing subject knowledge and so will require prior revision and consolidation of the topics they have covered in school. Your child should be familiar with this knowledge from their 11+ exam preparation. It is important for your child to remember not to rush the process, to think carefully and even out loud if it is helpful for them. They may ask your child to: Identify literary techniques from a particular poem, or find the volume of a cuboid with these particular measurements. They could ask brain teasers to get a better understanding of your child’s thought process.This doesn't require subject knowledge, rather it focuses on problem solving and critical thinking skills. Some examples are: Is there more happiness or sadness in the world? Is it better to be nice or right? Lastly, the 11+ interviewers may want to know what the pupil’s extra curricular activities are, and how they can develop non-academic skills within a real world context. Being a well rounded student is appealing to schools, so it’s preferable for your child to engage in some activities beyond their school curriculum. Their questions may include: What is a current hobby? What is the book you are currently reading/favourite book you have read?
What to do prior to the interview:
The interviewers will be looking for the student that best fits their school environment, so it’s a good idea for both you and your child to familiarise yourselves with the school’s values and the facilities on offer. In the 11+ interview, your child should be able to demonstrate that they will not only be an asset to the school, but will greatly benefit from it as well. Preparing and practising some of the example questions shown above would be helpful; making lists of things such as: the pupil’s previous achievements, strengths and weaknesses etc. Also creating a few questions to ask the interviewer at the end shows initiative and enthusiasm that could set them apart.
How to stand out during the 11+ interview:
- Be confident
- Dress smart
- Good posture and eye contact
- Speak clearly and elaborate on answers - It’s vital to speak slowly and loudly so the interviewer can easily understand. Don’t be too restrictive with your answers but avoid rambling too, to keep your answers detailed and relevant stick to the P.E.E technique (Point evidence, explain).
- Be yourself - Try to show parts of your personality and discuss things that interest you.
Your child’s performance in the interview will all come down to the quality of preparation that took place prior. So ensuring your child has consolidated their subject knowledge and their reasoning skills is essential. Merit tutors are dedicated to aiding parents in preparing their children for their 11+ exams as well as the 11+ interviews. We provide several 11+ resources In English, Maths and Science, along with logical skills like verbal and non-verbal reasoning. We also offer weekly spelling tests and periodical mock exams to make the process smoother and less stressful for you and your child. For any enquiries regarding signing your child up with us visit our website or give us a call at 0208 616 2526, 0208 478 9988.