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Entrance Examination Information for Years 7, 8, 9, 10
All children entering for Year 7, 8, 9 and 10 will sit papers testing Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and English, which will be divided into Comprehension/Literacy Skills and an extended piece of Creative Writing for Year 7, and a piece of Directed Writing and an Essay for Years 8 to 10.
FOR ENTRY INTO YEAR 7
Mathematics – 50 minutes
A specimen Mathematics question paper will be sent to all Year 7 applicants. The entrance examination contains two sections:
• Section A: Multiple Choice (approximately 40% of the available marks) • Section B: Written answers (approximately 60% of the available marks) • The examination is designed to contain content familiar to pupils working on topics from levels 4 and 5 of the National Curriculum, which includes the following general areas: • Number: Pencil and paper arithmetic using all four operations, negative numbers, simplifying fractions, simple ratio and proportion problems, percentage/fraction of an amount, simple rounding, factors, multiples, primes, square numbers. • Algebra: Coordinates in all four quadrants, number patterns, using formulae with two operations, inverse operations. • Shape: Area/perimeter of a rectangle and simple compound shapes, symmetry, metric units, identifying shapes, angles in a triangle. • Handling Data: Use of mean, median, mode and range, interpreting bar and pie charts, calculating simple probabilities, interpreting real-life graphs.
Please note: calculators will NOT be used in the Mathematics examination
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Verbal Reasoning – 50 minutes A standardised test is used, which takes into account the candidate’s age on the day of the examination.
English – 50 minutes The paper is set by King Edward’s English department and contains a comprehension element and a creative writing section. The creative writing part asks pupils to write in response to a stimulus. Pupils will be marked on their ideas, structuring and accuracy.
FOR ENTRY INTO YEARS 8, 9 AND 10
Mathematics – 1 hour
A specimen Mathematics paper will be sent to all Year 8, 9 and 10 applicants. For each year of entry, a basic skills Mathematics paper will be set. In all examinations a calculator is NOT to be used. In the Entrance Exam, we are trying to assess several things: a)Understanding of the work covered b)Potential to gain from our course c)Overall mathematical awareness The Mathematics Entrance Exams for Years 8, 9 and 10 have been designed to be, as far as possible, independent of the variations in topic coverage in different schooling systems. They assess competency in basic number skills and algebraic manipulation. We believe that our careful and sympathetic marking procedures lead to a fair assessment of each individual. For successful applicants, the entrance exam will be used to make an initial allocation to a particular set, although this is automatically reviewed after a term. Entrants to Year 8: We expect applicants to have a good understanding of topics up to Level 5 in the National Curriculum. The entrance exam will include questions on basic arithmetic, fraction arithmetic, simplifying algebraic expressions, solving equations, percentages and ratio.
Entrants to Year 9: We are looking for a good understanding of topics in Level 5 of the National Curriculum and also some coverage of Level 6. The entrance exam will assess basic number skills including percentages, ratio and calculations involving fractions. Algebra topics will include solving equations with unknowns on both sides and those which require some simplification first. The exam will include topics covered in the “Entrants to Year 8” section above. Entrants to Year 10: We expect applicants to have a good knowledge of the topics contained in Level 6 of the National Curriculum. The entrance exam will assess competency in the same number skills and algebra, including multiplying out single brackets. The exam will include topics covered in the “Entrants to Year 9” section above. Entry to the School: In general, there are likely to be significant differences between the work covered in an applicant’s current school and the work done at KES in the same age group. Successful applicants will be offered advice at the end of the Summer Term as to the best preparation for entering the relevant Maths set. At any level we will be pleased to give advice on appropriate preparatory reading during the time between being offered a place and entry to the school.
Verbal Reasoning – 50 minutes A standardised test is used, which takes into account the candidate’s age on the day of the examination.
English: A Piece of Directed Writing and an Essay – 45 minutes each
Each candidate will be required to do two tasks: • To read a short passage and then to write a letter arguing for or against the particular view expressed. The letter should be at least one side of A4 lined paper in length. • Candidates will be given a choice of six titles, from which they will select one to write a substantial essay. This will be judged in two ways. Firstly, its content: how interesting is it? Is there evidence of a lively and perceptive mind?
Do the attitudes and observations seem suitably mature? Secondly, its expression: how good is the writing? Is it well organised and appropriately paragraphed? Is it literate in terms of spelling, punctuation and correct usage? Does it possess a degree of style and sophistication? The essay should be at least one and a quarter sides of A4 lined paper in length.
English at KES The English department places great emphasis on reading widely and writing with fluency. To that end we encourage exploration of literature from traditional and contemporary sources. We have a varied and lively curriculum ranging from class debates to poetry competitions. Technical accuracy is prized and encouraged, and all pupils should find interest in the comprehensive course offered to them. We are committed to enabling every pupil to find a voice with which to express their own ideas, whether on paper or in discussion.
Language Interviews There will not be a written Language Examination. However, candidates should bring some recent work and expect to answer a few questions in either French, German or Spanish. The questions will not be too demanding, as we wish to gain an idea of the candidate’s ability and general confidence in the language. Please note that pupils at KES are expected to study two modern languages up to the end of Year 8 and at least one to GCSE level.
Interviews for Applicants to Years 8, 9 and 10
All candidates will be invited to attend interviews with the Headmaster or one of the Deputy Heads and Senior Staff within two weeks of sitting the Entrance Examinations. On this occasion, candidates are invited to support their work in the examinations by bringing exercise books containing samples of recent work from their current schools in Science, Mathematics and a Modern Language. These interviews allow staff to assess the potential of candidates and also help us to be fair to those who may not be able to display their knowledge to the full in the written examinations, because of such factors as different syllabus coverage or recent change of school.
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