Transfer Test* Support* AQE 2016-2017

Flashfriend

May100 don't be worrying about 90% yet as most kids weren't hitting those marks until about October. I think making them do a full test at home is a lot to ask when they are doing it in school. Little and often was the advice I was given.
Dee1000 I have son who will be the same next year. He can't be bothered but has the ability. Stressful!! My DD found the maths really difficult last year but I just kept repeating the same type of questions at home.

May100

Oh thank you for the reassurance. Well, had the parent teacher meeting and it went really well. Teacher showed me DS'sP7 last test in school and he got 88% and class average was 65%. He is the youngest in class. This is first time through for us so we don't know what to expect. He advised me just as you did - not to overload him. The biggest risk for a child who is doing well is burnout or they get stressed out and just can't perform in the real tests. He also said that even the best children can do a disappointing test once in a while, and they need reassurance to keep up their spirits. I know this is commonsense but it was nice to talk to a teacher with a sensible, measured approach after hearing all the school gate rubbish. Well, took the advice this week - homeworks only and enjoyed the sunshine.

May100

If I had an excellent non selective school nearby I'd think twice about bothering with all this myself! Maybe when the school starts doing the tests, he'll be motivated to get working.
If he is willing to do any work for you at home, maybe start of gently with quite easy revision material for each maths topic and if he is still up for it gradually ramp it up. If the questions look too far a child can get discouraged and lose motivation.

Flashfriend

May100 wrote: »

Oh thank you for the reassurance. Well, had the parent teacher meeting and it went really well. Teacher showed me DS'sP7 last test in school and he got 88% and class average was 65%. He is the youngest in class. This is first time through for us so we don't know what to expect. He advised me just as you did - not to overload him. The biggest risk for a child who is doing well is burnout or they get stressed out and just can't perform in the real tests. He also said that even the best children can do a disappointing test once in a while, and they need reassurance to keep up their spirits. I know this is commonsense but it was nice to talk to a teacher with a sensible, measured approach after hearing all the school gate rubbish. Well, took the advice this week - homeworks only and enjoyed the sunshine.

That's really reassuring from the teacher. As the tests got closer last year there were fewer p7 mums at the school gate probably to avoid listening to nonsense!! Keep your distance lol!

Floeydoey

Havent been on since start of March how is everyone getting on with tests my lg does really well in the literacy and struggles more with numeracy but we are gona just keep plodding along

May100

Hi Floeydoey,
Yeah, been quiet here. Hoping some more browsers come and join us here..
My DS is still not doing full tests in school. The ones they are getting are still only 45 min cut down ones. I think they are a bit on the easy side too and he is getting 85-90% in them and in top 20% in his year group. His maths is very good but he needs to read the comprehension passages more carefully. Also I am trying to find a way of boosting his vocabulary - he does read quite a lot but somehow I think there is scope to improve it.
I have done the first 3 books of PMP and the first Easons CEA book. He was getting over 80% and most mistakes were careless ones. I moved him up to the next level of CEA books and the questions were harder and he found the English harder but coped with the maths. Just getting the balance between practice and overloads.. Intend to do 3 tests per week over the holidays, excluding the week we are away on holidays. Would love to hear from others....

hbcassidy

Hi there, This using forums thing is completely new to me! I'm actually a tutor but I'm not here to sell my wares! We went through this process ourselves last year and I have a support group over on Facebook where I post up regular videos, free worksheets, etc if you fancied joining us. The forum won't let me post a link so if you want to join just let me know and I'll try and find you on Facebook!


Kindest Regards,
Heather

flymetothemoon_2

May100 wrote: »

Hi Floeydoey,
Yeah, been quiet here. Hoping some more browsers come and join us here..
My DS is still not doing full tests in school. The ones they are getting are still only 45 min cut down ones. I think they are a bit on the easy side too and he is getting 85-90% in them and in top 20% in his year group. His maths is very good but he needs to read the comprehension passages more carefully. Also I am trying to find a way of boosting his vocabulary - he does read quite a lot but somehow I think there is scope to improve it.
I have done the first 3 books of PMP and the first Easons CEA book. He was getting over 80% and most mistakes were careless ones. I moved him up to the next level of CEA books and the questions were harder and he found the English harder but coped with the maths. Just getting the balance between practice and overloads.. Intend to do 3 tests per week over the holidays, excluding the week we are away on holidays. Would love to hear from others....

Hi May 100
I've been through this system twice and both of my kids did very well and whilst I did put in a lot of effort, I would never have dreamt of making them sit 3 tests per wk in the summer. In fact, I've never heard of anyone doing more than 1 test per week (and most with a couple of weeks off). To me, 3 per week would be excessive and could overload any child and cause burn out. Primary teachers warn against this, arguing that some kids can peak too early and then go into decline.
I know that my son (who is now in Form I) did not even want to think about tests during the summer - he just wanted to be on holiday, off school and play as kids should, so we only did 3 tests in the second half of August. No regrets - he got loads of practice in P7 and ended up doing very well. Making them work all through the summer really builds up stress - it's a tough balancing act - just my opinion

May100

Yes. thanks for your opinion. Good to hear from someone who has been through it and kids did well. Think I was panicking a bit as I heard so many kids in our DS not doing as well as hoped / not getting into school they wanted. Probably a little bit of revision work before going back and a test a week then, and at least 2 weeks of no work may be better. I think first couple of months in P7 will be pretty intense so want him ready for it. Hoped to take a break the Halloween week too - to recharge the batteries. This is first time through for me so all a bit daunting.

Floeydoey

So far my lg has been doing the GL practice tests we plan to start AQE tests very shortly we also plan to do 3 tests each week 1 AQE and 1 GL Literacy and 1 GL Numeracy over the summer we are away for 6 weeks so im just bringing them with me il keep you posted