Navigating the journey towards securing a place at a prestigious school can be a daunting task for both parents and children. The 11 Plus interviews are a crucial part of this process, designed to assess not only academic knowledge but also a child’s ability to think critically and interact thoughtfully.
As parents, it’s natural to feel anxious about preparing your child for these interviews. With the right guidance and preparation, you can transform this challenging experience into a rewarding journey that significantly enhances your child’s confidence and skills. This article aims to provide you with comprehensive insights and practical tips to effectively prepare your child for the 11 Plus interviews, ensuring they walk into each interview with confidence and emerge with success.
What are the 11 Plus Interviews?
The 11 Plus interviews are a fundamental component of the admissions process for many of the top independent schools across the UK. These interviews are designed to go beyond the traditional exam subjects to gauge a child’s personality, critical thinking, and potential to contribute to the school community.
Key Components of the Interviews
At the centre of the 11 Plus interviews are questions crafted to assess a range of abilities:
- Academic Understanding: Questions may cover core subjects to evaluate a child’s knowledge and intellectual curiosity.
- Critical Thinking: Problem-solving tasks that require logical reasoning and sometimes, creative solutions.
- Communication Skills: How well a child can express their thoughts and respond to direct questions.
- Personal Insight: Questions that prompt children to discuss their interests, experiences, and aspirations.
Why Schools Use These Interviews
Schools employ these interviews to identify candidates who are not only academically capable but are also well-rounded individuals who can thrive in and contribute positively to the school environment. It’s an opportunity for schools to see how children articulate their thoughts and interact in a one-on-one setting, providing a deeper insight into each child’s unique personality and potential.
Common 11 Plus Interview Questions
The 11 Plus interviews can vary widely between schools, but they often feature a combination of personal and opinion-based questions designed to assess a child’s character, values, and critical thinking skills.
Example Questions
Each school and each interview can feature vastly different questions, these examples serve as guidance for your preparation.
“What three words best describe you as a student?”
Do: Choose adjectives that reflect strengths academically and personally.
Don’t: Use vague or overly common descriptors without explaining them.
Example Answer: “I would describe myself as curious, dedicated, and cooperative. I’m curious because I always ask questions to understand subjects deeply, dedicated because I consistently work towards my academic goals, and cooperative because I believe working with others brings out the best outcomes in school projects.”
“Can you tell me about a project or assignment that you are particularly proud of?”
Do: Discuss a project that demonstrates skills and effort, explaining the process and outcome.
Don’t: Choose an example where you did minimal work or don’t explain your role clearly.
Example Answer: “I’m proud of a science project where we had to design sustainable housing solutions. My role was to research and propose materials that were both cost-effective and environmentally friendly. Our model was praised by teachers for its innovation and practical application, which was rewarding.”
“What is a challenge you’ve faced recently, and how did you deal with it?”
Do: Share a genuine challenge and focus on the solution and what you learned.
Don’t: Portray the challenge as unsolvable or blame others for the difficulties.
Example Answer: “Recently, I struggled with balancing schoolwork and my duties at home. I dealt with this by creating a structured schedule that allotted time for both responsibilities. This not only improved my time management skills but also helped me perform better academically and fulfil my home duties effectively.”
“What measures do you think schools should take to be more environmentally friendly?”
Do: Offer thoughtful, feasible suggestions and show your understanding of environmental issues.
Don’t: Provide unrealistic solutions or show a lack of awareness about the topic.
Example Answer: “Schools can start by reducing paper use, promoting recycling, and installing solar panels to save energy. For instance, using digital assignments where possible can significantly cut down paper waste.”
“Discuss a book you recently read and tell us what lesson you learned from it.”
Do: Choose a book that had a meaningful impact on you and clearly articulate the lesson.
Don’t: Pick a book you aren’t familiar with or fail to mention how it influenced you.
Example Answer: “I read ‘Charlotte’s Web’ recently, which taught me about friendship and the impact of selfless acts. Charlotte’s efforts to save her friend Wilbur showed me how true friends always look out for each other, which has encouraged me to be a better friend in my own life.”
“In this sequence of shapes: a square, a triangle, a circle, a square, a triangle. What shape comes next in the sequence?”
Do: Describe the pattern recognition process and explain why you chose the answer.
Don’t: Give a random shape without explaining the logic behind your choice.
Example Answer: “The sequence is repeating every three shapes. It starts with a square, followed by a triangle, and then a circle. After the circle, the pattern starts over with a square and then a triangle. Since the last shape mentioned is a triangle, the next shape in the sequence, following the established pattern, would be a circle.”
How to Prepare for Different Types of Questions
Ensuring your child is fully equipped to deal with the 11+ interview questions is a critical step to help foster success.
Factual Questions
Encourage your child to engage with their study material in varied ways (e.g., quizzes, flashcards). This builds a robust knowledge base to draw from during their interview.
Opinion-based Questions
These questions seek to understand a child’s personality and values. Practise at home with questions like, “What do you think about this story?” or “How would you improve your school playground?” to help your child articulate their thoughts clearly and confidently.
Scenario Questions
Role-playing different scenarios can be very helpful. For instance, asking your child how they would handle being given a leadership role in a group project can prepare them to think on their feet and express their leadership qualities during the interview.
11+ Interview Preparation Tips & Techniques
Preparing for an 11 Plus interview involves more than just answering questions correctly. It also includes developing a routine that enhances a child’s overall abilities and confidence.
Daily Routines and Exercises
By integrating tailored activities and exercises into your child’s daily routine, you can greatly enhance their cognitive abilities and communication skills in a short amount of time. This structured approach not only prepares them for interviews but also instils a lifelong passion for learning and personal development.
Mock Interviews
Conduct mock interviews at home to mimic the interview environment, which can help alleviate anxiety and improve response strategies.
Question and Answer Sessions
Regular Q&A sessions at home can help your child practice giving concise and thoughtful answers.
Reading
Encourage your child to read a variety of books, articles, and reports. This expands their vocabulary and improves their comprehension skills, which are crucial for the interview.
Discussion Practice
Regularly discuss current events, books, music or films with your child. This improves their ability to form and express opinions, a key skill in interviews.
Role-playing Interview Scenarios at Home
Practising interview scenarios at home can dramatically improve your child’s performance in the actual 11 plus interview questions. By simulating the interview environment, you can observe your child’s responses and provide guidance and tips for improvement. Creating realistic interview scenarios helps your child become more comfortable with the format and types of questions they might face.
Simulating the Interview
Set up a formal space at home where your child can practise sitting and responding to an interviewer. This can help familiarise them with the interview setting and reduce nervousness.
Feedback Sessions
Provide constructive feedback after each practice session, focusing on both strengths and areas for improvement.
Use A Specialist 11+ Tutor
Sometimes, extra guidance from an experienced tutor can make all the difference. Working with a professional tutor who is experienced in the nuances of these interviews can provide tailored support and insights that enhance your child’s preparation. This approach not only boosts confidence but also ensures that your child is getting the most effective strategies tailored to their individual needs.
Oakwood Tutors specialises in preparing students for the 11 Plus interviews in London and online – discover more and find the perfect entrance exam tutor.
Supporting Your Child Emotionally
Building on the preparation strategies, we now turn to an equally crucial aspect of the 11 Plus interviews: providing emotional support to your child throughout the process. A supportive environment can significantly impact a child’s performance and overall well-being.
Managing Stress and Anxiety Before Interviews
The pressure of interviews can be overwhelming for children. As parents, your role in helping them manage stress and anxiety is vital.
Establish a Routine
Create a calm and predictable routine leading up to the interview days, including adequate sleep, healthy eating, and time for relaxation.
Encourage Open Communication
Make sure your child feels comfortable discussing their fears and anxieties with you. Listen actively and reassure them that it’s normal to feel nervous and that you are proud of their efforts regardless of the outcome.
Practice Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques
Teach your child simple breathing exercises or mindfulness activities that they can use to calm their nerves before and during the interview.
Importance of Positive Reinforcement
Reinforcing your child’s efforts and improvements, rather than focusing solely on outcomes, builds their self-esteem and resilience.
Celebrate Small Wins
Acknowledge and celebrate even small successes during the preparation phase. This can boost your child’s confidence and motivate them to keep improving.
Positive Affirmations
Encourage your child to use positive affirmations to build self-confidence. Phrases like “I am prepared” or “I can handle this” can be powerful motivators.
Conclusion: It Takes More Than Just Revision
Preparing your child for the 11 Plus interviews is a journey that involves more than just academic readiness. It encompasses building confidence, managing anxieties, and nurturing a well-rounded personality capable of expressing thoughts and ideas articulately. Through consistent preparation, practical rehearsals, and emotional support, you can equip your child not only to succeed in their interviews but to approach challenges with confidence throughout their lives.
Remember, your support and belief in their abilities are as crucial as the preparation itself. Every step you take together in this journey helps reinforce your child’s skills and self-belief, setting them up for success not only in their upcoming interviews but in all their future endeavours.
