11-plus mocks are a growing market on the internet, so at Succeed 11-Plus we understand that you may be confused about how and where to spend your budget.
Before you choose a mock provider here are some things to think about and look out for.
The location of physical mocks
The location of the mock will dictate the style of the paper set by the mock centre. Their mock exams will typically be more focused, in style and difficulty, on the schools in their surrounding area, so it therefore makes sense for your child to stay local to the school they are trying out for. Having said that, just because a mock is set in a school of your choice, it does not mean that it is endorsed by your chosen school or will benefit your child more than sitting the mock with another provider in a different location.
Staying local also means that your child does not have to travel for miles, often early in the morning, at a time when they are doing extra work in preparation for their exams and need to conserve their energy.
Researching the mock provider
Just because a provider is new to the online market, it does not mean it is not experienced in the field.
Read the ABOUT US page of the website in question and see where the expertise of the provider lies.
In addition to this, check the testimonials on the provider’s site and ask friends whose children have completed their 11-plus journey for advice. A good provider will have a good name, either from their business name or the name of the individuals who set it up.
Online vs physical mocks
At Succeed we believe in mixing things up for your child. Online mocks can be fun for a child. Most children like the thrill of sitting at a computer and seeing their answers highlighted in green when they get them right. And if they get them incorrect, then a good site should have a step-by-step guide to help them see where they went wrong and teaching on how to tackle that sort of question again.
Online mocks can be completed in the comfort of your own home, at a time that is convenient for you and your child. This is obviously of huge benefit when you are trying to juggle your family’s needs and that of a child who is preparing for exams.
You will be able to set the frequency of the papers and chart your child’s progress as they work through each online mock.
Online mocks can enhance your child’s speed and ability. It is worth noting that an increasing number of top independent schools are also using computer aided testing for their entrance exams.
Where your child will be sitting their entrance exams in the schools of their choice, physical mocks are priceless in helping your child to get used to an exam environment. An exam room or hall can be a daunting and intimidating experience for a child, so it makes sense to get your child feeling as relaxed in that environment as much as possible before the real thing. A good mock provider will set the children at ease before the exam starts, whilst maintaining the strict environment of an exam.
Succeed 11-plus has a comprehensive set of both physical and online mocks to help your child in those months before the entrance exam date. Our recommendation would be to take the online mocks in between the physical mocks so that there is a flow to your child’s preparation and a means by which you can chart their progress and see where their weaknesses and strengths lie.
