How To Pass The 11+ Interview
Due to how popular this article has been, I’ve added some additional insights below so make sure you read all the way till the end so that you and your child can soak up some great tips. Hopefully, this article will save you from scouring MumsNet and Google for hours in search for a list of questions that are commonly asked at the interviews of top day and boarding schools.
The original article is as follows:
With the independent school exams being just days away, we thought it would be wise to share some of the most popular 11+ interview questions.
These questions have been asked by interviewers at Eton, Westminster, Haberdasher's, Merchant Taylor's, Whitgift, Harrodian and the GDST schools.
After you’ve read through the questions, read some of the tips below so that your child can be as well-prepared for the exam as possible.
Without further ado, here are ten of the most popular 11+ interview questions:
1. Tell me about yourself.
2. What's your favourite animal and why?
3. Who is your favourite author?
4. Tell me about the area you live in?
5. Why are you applying for this school?
6. If you could be any animal/colour, what would you be?
7. What's your favourite subject?
8. Tell me about a news topic that you've come across recently.
9. What's your favourite sport?
10. What are your interests?
11. How would your friends describe you? If your friends could describe you in three words, what would they be?
12. Describe yourself using 5 adjectives.
13. Tell me about the last two books you read and describe them using adjectives.
14. If you could have dinner with any historical figure (dead or alive), who would it be?
15. What are your career ambitions? / What are your future ambitions?
16. What are your thoughts on the current economic climate? (Questions such as these require your child to brush up on socio-political topics and current affairs which we strongly recommend doing before their interview)
17. What’s your favourite homophone?
18. Analyse this text or image. (This requires your child to think on their feet and to come up with an analysis of an unseen image, text or even the observation of an object. It’s important that they practise answering such questions in advance of their interview)
19. How would your teacher describe you?
20. Do you think you’re a resilient learner? Why/Why not?
The key to doing well in the interview is to be confident but not arrogant and to answer questions in detail.
For instance, if you read through the questions again, you’ll notice that very few of them use the word ‘why.’
That’s because the interviewer wants the student to use their own initiative to come up with an explanation for the answer.
In other words, interviewers like students that elaborate and extend answers.
When a student avoids explaining why they like something or doesn’t bother providing explanations for their answers, it comes across as if they’re lazy and unbothered.
It doesn’t make a great impression and it also makes the interview really short.
The interviewer should never have to prompt a student and ask them why they’ve said something or why they like something.
The student should be painting a picture of who they are through their own words and elaboration.
To help your child impress interviewers, do the following
✔️ Practise the questions above and encourage your child to elaborate and extend their answers.
✔️ Write down answers and tweak them where necessary.
✔️ Smile in a natural way and try to sound as natural as possible.
✔️ Sit in a way that’s comfortable but ‘professional.’ That means no slouching, smart, clean clothing and no fidgeting.
Remember that elaboration is key.
What Are Interviewers Looking For?
Encourage your child to showcase their hobbies and interests. They should also be able to support their answers with evidence that provides proof of their skills. For example, playing chess gives you analytical and logical thinking skills so it provides proof of the ability to analyse and think logically. Being able to elaborate and provide explanations is crucial to 11+ interview successs.
Interviewers at top independent schools are looking for a number of key things when interviewing candidates.
These include:
How approachable/friendly a child is
How confident they appear to be
How they react under pressure (this is extremely important as the majority of children will buckle when a few difficult questions or challenges are thrown in front of them). Schools are looking for resilient pupils who will be able to handle the challenges they’ll face throughout their academic journey so it’s important that your child learns to project an air of confidence.
Whether the child will fit into the school environment. One way in which your child can show that they’ll be able to do this is by showcasing their current and former achievements in sport, music and other extracurricular activities. This demonstrates that they enjoy working with others and can contribute positively to the school environment.
Whether the child can contribute positively to the school (which ties in with the point above)
Your child’s academic potential. (In other words, does your child have the ability to thrive academically?)
Whether the school is a good fit for the pupil. For example, does the school have the facilities and resources that will best support your child?
These are just some of the things that admissions tutors and interviewers will be considering when speaking with your child so it’s worth thinking about them in advance. I always advise parents and pupils to put themselves in the position of the school, think in the way they think.
Factor in that they have so many applicants and so few places so why does your child deserve one of those spots?
The Importance of Body Language
The manner in which your child presents themselves in terms of their outward appearance is pivotal when it comes to 11+ interview success. Firstly, your child should be well dressed on the day of their interview. If the interview is in the middle of a school day, they can simply wear their school uniform. If however, it is not, then I would recommend that they wear something smart and presentable but not overly formal. Your child should look comfortable so there’s no need to put them in a poofy dress or stiff suit.
In terms of body language, your child should remember to keep their nerves under control by limiting or annihilating any fidgeting, maintaining eye contact and smiling where necessary. This will help them to appear more confident and self-assured.
Two More Very Important Tips
Some interviewers will lure children into a false sense of comfort which results in the child thinking that they no longer need to be smart, presentable and proper. Subsequently, the pupil may find themselves using slang or informal language when speaking to the interviewer. Please encourage your child to avoid using any slang, colloquial or informal language as it may hinder their chances of securing a place at their dream school.
Another important tip is to avoid speaking negatively about their current school as this will create the impression that they have a habit of badmouthing their school or teachers. It’s fine to suggest improvements but this can be done in a delicate manner.
Generally, we advise our pupils to avoid negative talk as much as possible so that they project an air of positivity.
If you found these 11+ interview questions and tips useful, sign up for our next 11+ interview masterclass.
Wishing your child the best of luck with their exam preparation.
Kind regards,
The Tutoress.