Support Thread for parents of children sitting the AQE /GL Transfer Test in 2012

belfasthammer

I have read with interest the opinions of all regarding TT tutoring. I run a business that includes transfer tutoring and special needs and dyslexia as well. It is obvious that many pupils are ill prepared for the TT or in certain cases with big classes and other factors that some get lost. An experienced tutor can clarify areas of difficulty, teach exam technique and build lost confidence. This can benefit many. I am aware of the economic aspect to this situation. I run classes (not more than 6) for £10 per lesson as well as one to one support. I advise parent about consolidating knowledge in preparation for the secondary phase as opposed to just relying on the TT.

Mandarin5

Hello all, my daughter M is doing transfer test this November. Its been a struggle i must say, but it has got easier. She knows she has tests and revision to do and instead of fighting me she just gets on with it. In the revision tests she always seems to run out of time and looses out in the potential of extra marks. Does anyone have any guidance that could help us work out time management for her to complete the paper on time.

many many thanks in advance

rolo1_2

Hi Mandarin5 - We have daughter number 2 sitting the tests in Nov after getting daughter 1 through the first year AQE was set up.

It is not easy, but I think practice practice practice is the key. Be strict in time-management i.e. just allow exactly an hour. Encourage (as I am sure you do) and try to keep any worry vibes from her (not easy).

We have our daughter doing about 3-4 tests per week and offer an incentive in that if she gets over 70% she gets £5 and over 80% £10.
If it gets her through the AQE it will be money well spend.

All I would say is that no matter what score she gets do not deviate from your choice of schools, let the clearing system work it out.
I know in past years parents "thought" their child had not scored enough to get into 1st choice grammar and did not put it down on list only to find out later the score would have been enough after all.

Good luck.

Mandarin5

Hi Rolo, thank you for your reply. I think practice practice is the best advice as the more papers she does, hopefully the quicker she will get in answering all the questions. It is stressful on both of us but its hard trying to explain that i just want the best for her. Also M has her heart set on a particular grammar school and i am worried that she will be so upset if she doesn't get in there. I aim to get her to do 4 tests a week and then in between go over corrections again from older papers. I fear that i wont get the balance right i.e. am i doing too little/too much???? suppose will just have to go with my gut and do what feels right.

Anyway enough of my rant, i hope things are a bit more stressless in your house. Thank you for your advice and please feel free to keep the advice and tips coming. Good luck :rotfl:

rolo1_2

Mandarin - What you are doing is pretty much the same as us. Just practice, keep calm and what will be will be.
It is not easy for the wee ones and the parents!!!!!!!!! - but I am sure it will all work out in the end.
keep us all posted and good luck

Chip_9691

Well, here we go again! After getting 1st child through the first AQE we had hoped that our elected representatives would have sorted this debacle out before we had to do it again. Anyway the whole marking process seems to be as grey as ever 4 years later. We are hitting scores of late 70's to early 80% in practice tests but have no idea if this is enough to get a score in excess of 105 which I would hope would secure a place at the first choice school. I know that it all depends on all the other results as to how the score is calculated but it would be good to know if normally the average is below or above 80%? Anyway I guess all we can do is hope for the best and wait with baited breath until February. Good luck to all!!!

ballycastle31

Hi is there a support thread for the parents sitting the tests this month? its getting so close i feel it would be great to chat to others Many thanks

ballycastle31

Chip_9691 wrote: »

Well, here we go again! After getting 1st child through the first AQE we had hoped that our elected representatives would have sorted this debacle out before we had to do it again. Anyway the whole marking process seems to be as grey as ever 4 years later. We are hitting scores of late 70's to early 80% in practice tests but have no idea if this is enough to get a score in excess of 105 which I would hope would secure a place at the first choice school. I know that it all depends on all the other results as to how the score is calculated but it would be good to know if normally the average is below or above 80%? Anyway I guess all we can do is hope for the best and wait with baited breath until February. Good luck to all!!!

Hi yup Id also like to know this,its all very stressful and is getting so close now.

RikM

There is https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4541583
But it hasn't seen a lot of traffic recently...
And
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4388411
Which has seen a little more recent posting. But it mostly seems to be quiet this year.