We sat the Entrance Examination for SWPS last year, and now we have finished our first full year here. We hope that our advice will help you to picture what to expect on the day itself and to look forward — it will be much better than you think!
Good luck and remember - keep calm and do your best.
WELCOME TO SIR WILLIAM PERKINS’S SCHOOL
This booklet has been put together by students in Year 8, to help you feel calm and prepared for the SWPS Entrance Examinations.
“We sat the Entrance Examination for SWPS last year, and we have now finished our first full year here. We hope that our advice will help you to picture what to expect on the day itself and to look forward to it — it will be much better than you think!”
Good luck and remember - keep calm and do your best.
BEFORE THE EXAMS
In the weeks leading up to the exam, remember that there isn’t really anything to revise. Keep on reading books at home and keep on top of your Maths at school.
If you are at a state school at the moment you probably won’t be doing practice for entrance exams in school, but don’t worry, you could always do some extra comprehensions or Maths questions if it helps you feel more confident - you can get books online which give you exercises to do. About half of the other children who will sit our exam are from state schools.
THE NIGHT BEFORE
Try to get a good night’s sleep. The most important thing of all is that you feel bright, alert and confident on the morning of the exam.
Have a really good breakfast so your stomach won’t be rumbling, and drink water or juice. Food and drink will keep your brain awake and at its best through the morning.
EXAMINATION DAY SCHEDULE –
WHAT TO WEAR
Children come in their own clothes (not uniform) so you should wear whatever you feel most comfortable and relaxed in so that you are able to concentrate.
WHAT TO BRING TO THE EXAM
A sharpened pencil
A rubber
A pencil sharpener
A blue or black pen (spare cartridges if it’s a fountain pen)
A ruler
A bottle of water and tissues if you want to
It’s a good idea to also bring a book with you to read whilst you wait with the other children for your interview chat with one of the teachers
ON THE DAY
GETTING TO SWPS
When you arrive you will see lots of other children all going through the same process. Some of them may become your best friends later on - imagine that!
WHAT TO EXPECT
When you get to SWPS you will be registered in the main hall, then you will say goodbye to your parents for a few hours. You’ll be taken off to a classroom by some friendly students who are already at SWPS, and you will be joined by other children sitting the exams.
As children are roomed alphabetically you’ll only be with a friend from your current school if your surnames are close to each other in the alphabet.
There will be one of our fantastic teachers there to make sure you know what you need to do and they will be in charge of giving out exam papers and time-keeping. Some current students may also help out.
There will be a Maths paper, an English paper and a short informal interview with a one of our teachers. The Maths paper is designed to get harder as you go through; the last part is quite tricky and you may not be familiar with everything you are being asked and that’s fine, you can give it a go, or you can go back over your other answers. There is also a break for a tasty snack, giving you a chance to rejuvenate. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to relax and engage in a fun-filled games session at the sports hall if you would like to join in.
WHAT THE DAY WAS LIKE FOR US...
