Just like the real thing, my mock exams are hosted at a school. I am currently using the excellent Home Farm Primary School in Lexden, Colchester, CO3 4JL.

I have three papers that I have written myself. These are not available for sale separately on any platform.

The Standard package is £40.

The Premium package is £50.

The Ultimate package is £80.

All packages include the English and maths exams.

The Standard package costs £40. If you book the Standard package, you will receive:

• Your child’s original exam papers, marked by me.

• A document containing the answers for both the English and maths exams.

• Your child’s score out of 60 for both exams.

• The mean scores for all children who have taken the same paper as your child.

• The top score for each paper so far.

The Premium package costs £50. When you book the Premium package, you receive all of the above plus:

• Examples of high-scoring and median-scoring responses to the writing section of the English exam (via email).

• An upgraded answer sheet with modelled answers for the maths and more detailed explanations for both papers (via email).

• A spreadsheet containing anonymised data showing how many marks each child got for each question on both the English and maths exams (via email).

The Ultimate package costs £80. When you book the Ultimate package, you receive all of the above plus:

• Detailed written feedback on your child’s writing section of the English exam (via email).
• I will edit and improve your child’s writing to a standard that I think is likely to receive high marks in the exam (via email).

Here are five reasons to book at least one mock exam:

1) Familiarisation and test technique.

My mock exams will familiarise your child not only with the style and content of the paper but also with the schedule and process of the real CSSE 11+. An in-person mock will also give your child the opportunity to practise essential time management skills under exam conditions.

2) Knowing what your child is capable of and where they can improve.

It is quite hard to assess your own child's ability. How many times have you taught your child something only for them to completely forget it a few weeks later? The fact is that all humans forget things. Mock exams provide an opportunity for you to see what your child really knows. Mock exams provide insight into your child's capabilities like no other. You could (and should) use mock results to inform revision and to target areas for improvement.

3) Reduced pressure and fear.

Most children have not experienced taking an exam outside of their own school. The size and unfamiliarity of test centres can be daunting. A mock exam eases that pressure and reduces the fear of the unknown.

4) Testing improves retention. Educational research (for example, studies by Roediger III and Karpicke) has shown that testing not only assesses what one knows but also enhances later retention, a phenomenon known as the testing effect. Testing is a powerful means of improving learning, not just assessing it.

5) Fine margins. A standardised score of 330 seems worlds apart from a standardised score of 350, yet in purely "raw score" terms this difference is only around 8 marks. The 11+ is a high-stakes exam that has a huge influence on at least the next 5 years of a child's life. I wholeheartedly endorse the advantages of mock exams, especially in their ability to reveal areas for improvement and hidden weaknesses.. Each child is competing against thousands of others and some will miss out on their desired school by one or two marks. In terms of balancing cost vs reward, a £40 assessment and half a day of your time may end up being one of the best investments you ever make.

Yes. The school playground is open for parents to drop off and pick up children.

From arrival to departure, you are looking at a total time of approximately 3 hours. A typical schedule would look like this:

• 8:45 - 9:00 Registration and comfort breaks

• 9:00 - 9:05 Entry to the exam hall

• 9:05 - 10:15 English paper

• 10:15 - 10:30 Break

• 10:30 - 11:30 Maths paper

• 11:30 - 11:40 Collection

You will receive a welcome email approximately two weeks before the test date with exact timings and useful information.

Refunds are given for cancellations up to 7 days before the event starts (minus Eventbrite’s handling fees). No refunds are given for cancellations within 7 days of the event start. No refunds are given for late attendees and those who fail to show.

Your child will need to bring:

• A stamped, self-addressed A4 envelope with their name on it. I will use this to post their completed papers and feedback.

• Stationery in a clear pencil case or a clear bag - pens, pencils, rulers, rubbers and a self-contained sharpener.

• A drink and a small nut-free snack.

It's up to you. Wearing uniform is not a requirement for the real exam. I would recommend comfortable, casual clothes but your child can wear a uniform if you wish.

Scroll up the page and look for dates with an orange ‘Book Now’ button or visit my Eventbrite page at https://colinarnoldtuition.eventbrite.com/