Common Entrance
 

For many students, Common Entrance in Year 8 represents the first extensive set of exams across all subjects, marked by their Senior Schools, in which they have to achieve a certain percentage average to attain their place.

As such, it is one of the first set of high stakes exams and the first real test of a comprehensive revision programme throughout the year. Much like with GCSEs, each student’s revision timetable and plan will vary depending on their strengths, weaknesses, and learning style. Some students may require a lot of focus on certain subjects earlier on in the year to address difficulties, while others may rely on past papers throughout the year, before starting on the final revision programme from the Easter holidays. 

They key at this age is to assess what will maximise each student’s performance during their exams in June. Unlike with GCSEs, students in Year 8 haven’t spent years at school sitting entire sets of high stakes exams, so may still be working out which learning style is best suited for them. Fortunately, our Common Entrance tutors are able to apply and support with a variety of teaching and revision techniques. Students may find that working through past papers works best for Maths, revision flash cards helps most with Latin, online Bitesize resources are best for Science, pinning quotes to the walls helps for English and that applying the Memory Palace (method of loci) techniques is most effective for History or RS.

Whatever the case, it is vital that Common Entrance tutors are right up to date with the latest changes in the Common Entrance syllabuses, and with what materials work best for their students. We support students who are sitting Level 1, 2 or 3 at CE, and cover all subjects including Ancient Greek. Many of our tutors are current or former prep school teachers, and we stick closely to school syllabuses so as not to confuse our students, but to offer support and guidance throughout the process. This stretches as far as advice on exam week - eeking out those final few percent can be a case of ensuring healthy eating and sleeping patters, and preparing what to look through to warm up on the morning of the exams. Like top sportsmen, the calm that comes with knowing that your preparation has been as meticulous as possible, not rushed, can make a big difference when you are required to perform at your best.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch for any requests about subjects in Year 7 and 8 at school in the build up to Common Entrance exams. We have a number of CE specialists across all subjects who would be delighted to help! We have also copied some resources below which students might find useful.