London Schools Consortium – Girls 11+
Independent Girls Schools London 11+ Consortium Examinations
What is the London Schools Consortium?
The London 11+ Schools Consortium is a group of girls’ day schools located in the London area. Originally created to enable hopeful students to participate in a reduced amount of 11+ examinations, the Consortium schools were once split into two groups, each with their own specifically allocated examinations, meant to enable girls to sit one set of examination papers that could be used to apply to a greater number of schools. Whilst the two groups involved had different exams, the format was similar, both involving English and Mathematics questions. In 2019, this system was updated to create a single 70-minutes examination for all of the Consortium schools. This has recently been updated again, replaced by a 100-minute long 11+ exam, testing Mathematics and Non-Verbal and Verbal skills. Our London Schools Consortium
What does the 11+ application process consist of?
The London Schools Consortium has recently adapted their application process due to increasing concerns surrounding the pressures that can arise from preparing for the 11+ examinations. Due to this, the consortium schools have adopted a process involving a singular test, also sharing the aim of negating teaching that is delivered simply for content that students will be tested on. The Consortium schools are looking to discern information from the test that will tell them which school the candidate is best suited to, testing Verbal (VR), Non-Verbal Reasoning (NVR) and Mathematical ability and potential. The schools are also interested in ascertaining learners creative and problem-solving skills, with the inclusion of Non-Verbal Reasoning (NVR) signifying this. These changes have been made to best reflect the needs of the industries and job markets that the learners will eventually progress into, creating changes to impact the learners of the future. Due to uncertainties arisen from the pandemic, in 2021 the London Consortium Schools adopted the ISEB Common Pre-test, to best evaluate learners needs and to meet their best interests given the climate. Recent plans have involved the introduction of a bespoke Consortium assessment process, involving a 100-minute test, that looks into both cognitive ability and creativity, involving questions based around analysis, critical thinking and problem-solving. These changes enable learners to demonstrate their potential as much as their present knowledge and skills. The London Consortium Schools have selected ATOM for the design of their new entrance exam assessment, with collaboration used throughout through partnerships with a group of Primary and Secondary curriculum experts.
What schools form the London Schools Consortium?
- Channing School, Highgate
- Francis Holland School, Regent’s Park
- Francis Holland School, Sloane Square
- Godolphin and Latymer, Hammersmith
- More House School, Knightsbridge
- Northwood College for Girls, Northwood
- Notting Hill and Ealing High School, Ealing
- Queen’s College London, Marylebone
- Queen’s Gate School, South Kensington
- South Hampstead High School, South Hampstead
- St Augustine’s Priory, Ealing
- St Helen’s School London, Northwood
- St James Senior Girls’ School, Kensington Olympia
- St Margaret’s School, Hampstead
How do I prepare my child for the London Schools Consortium 11+ exam?
It is useful to note that the main sections of your child’s 11+ test will involve Verbal Reasoning (VR), Non-Verbal Reasoning, Problem Solving and Mathematics. Below is a breakdown of the new entrance examination timings:
- Maths, 20 minutes
- Non-Verbal Reasoning, 10 minutes
- English Comprehension and Verbal Reasoning, 30 minutes
- Break, 30 minutes
- Problem Solving, 15 minutes
- Analysis Component, 25 minutes
Mathematics:
When prepping for the Mathematics section it is important to note that the questions will be based on the National Curriculum for Year 5, meaning that anything above this will not be tested. It is also important to note how the Mathematics section uses Adaptive-Assessment, so the questions will range for every candidate, dependent on performance level.
Non-Verbal Reasoning (NVR):
Due to the nature of NVR, it is not recommended to spend too much time preparing for these questions, as the general themes follow a learner’s ability to think logically and identify specific patterns by reading and interpreting questions effectively. This section is also Adaptive in assessment.
English Comprehension and Verbal Reasoning (NVR):
These questions will also use the Adaptive Assessment method, centred around a fiction text, written for the Consortium 11+ examination. A focus on a wide range of vocabulary is key for answering these questions. Comprehension is then followed with testing the learners use of English in a given context. It is suggested that learners who read a wide breadth of literature will be best prepared for this section of the test.
Problem Solving:
Numbers and words are key to this section of the test, testing learner’s ability to apply them to solve multi-step problems effectively. This section is Non-Adaptive, but it likely that different candidates will answer a different number of questions during this section.
Analysis Component:
Using information from a breadth of sources, candidates will be tasked with answering questions given in different formats. The learners may have several pieces of information to review for a given question and it is expected that the context will be unfamiliar to most candidates and this section too is Non-Adaptive.
Adaptive and Non-Adaptive Assessment:
It is useful to note how the first three sections of the 11+ examination is designed with Adaptive Assessment software. As the test is taken online, the London Consortium schools have chosen to embed software which enables adaptive assessment methods, meaning the more answers your child gets correct, the harder the questions get. This happens throughout the test and is dependent on your child’s patterns of answers, meaning that if they get a number of answers wrong, the answers will get easier to match your child’s independent abilities. The final two sections of the 11+ examination is designed using Non-Adaptive Assessment, meaning every leaner will receive the same sequence of questioning.
London 11+ Consortium Tutors
Mayfair Consultants offers at-home, one-on-one private tuition in a wide variety of subjects and the London 11+ Consortium to clients living across the London area and online, preparing students for secondary school. We will help with understanding content outlined in syllabi, gaining specific skills required to effectively tackle the questions and how to score on the examinations. Our fully-qualified London 11+ Consortium tutors are experienced and skilled specialists, with many holding postgraduate degrees (Master’s and PhD) in specific subjects you want to focus on. They offer clear, concise explanations and stimulating approaches, helping to support the needs of every student.
If you would like to arrange London 11+ Consortium tutoring, schools entrance consultancy or enquire about our schools placement service in England as well as independent schools entrance tests please call us on Tel: +44 (0) 207 665 6606 or you can send us an email via our contact form.
Useful London Schools Consortium Links:
https://pretestplus.co.uk/the-11-plus-london-consortium-cognitive-ability-test/
London 11+ Consortium Schools:
https://www.godolphinandlatymer.com
https://www.northwoodcollege.gdst.net
https://www.stjamesschools.co.uk/seniorgirls/
https://www.st-margarets.co.uk
https://www.schoolentrancetests.com/english-grammar-schools-2022/london-11-plus-consortium/