My 11+ Journey: How Hard Work Paid Off

Hi, I’m Noah, and I’m excited to share my journey of preparing for the 11+ exam and getting accepted into Westcliff High School for Boys. Trust me, it wasn’t easy, but looking back, all the hard work and sacrifices were worth it.

The Start of the Journey

When I first heard about the 11+ exam, I didn’t really understand what it was. My parents explained that it was a test I needed to pass to get into a good grammar school. At first, I wasn’t too worried. But as the days went by, I realised how much work was involved.

Preparing for the 11+

Preparation for the 11+ took up a lot of my time. I had to go to extra classes after school, do practice papers at home, and even had study sessions during the weekends. I remember looking at my stack of books and thinking, "I’d rather be playing video games."

My parents and teachers kept telling me how important this exam was. They said it would help me get into a great school where I could have more opportunities. But all I could think about was how much I missed playing with my friends and my favourite video games.

The Hard Work

The hardest part was the amount of practice I had to do. Every day, there was a new challenge. Verbal reasoning, maths, and English – it felt like a never-ending cycle of tests and questions. Some days, I felt like giving up. The questions were tough, and sometimes, I just didn’t get them.

My tutor (my mum) was really patient, though. She explained things in a way that eventually made sense, and my parents kept encouraging me. Slowly but surely, I started to understand the material better. It wasn’t easy, and it definitely wasn’t fun, but I was getting there.

The Big Day

On the day of the exam, I was nervous. My heart was pounding, and my hands were sweaty. But I remembered all the work I had put in and tried to stay calm. When I saw the questions, some of them were really tricky, but I used all the strategies my tutor had taught me.

Walking out of the exam hall, I wasn’t sure how I had done. I was just relieved it was over. And I'm not afraid to admit that when I got back to my car where my parents were waiting, I started to cry because that exam had taken so much out of me that I was just an emotional wreck.

The Wait and the Result

Waiting for the results was the hardest part. It felt like forever. Every day, I wondered if all the hard work would pay off. When the letter finally arrived, I was too scared to open it. My mum had to do it for me.

When she told me I had been accepted into Westcliff High School for Boys, I couldn’t believe it. All the hard work, all the time I spent studying instead of playing games, it all paid off.

Looking Back

Now that I’m getting ready to start at Westcliff, I can see how important it was to prepare for the 11+. It taught me that hard work and dedication really do pay off. Yes, it was tough, and yes, I missed out on some fun times, but getting into a great school is a reward that’s worth it.

To any other kids out there who are preparing for the 11+ and feeling like it’s too hard or too boring, hang in there. It’s okay to feel frustrated, but keep pushing. Trust me, the feeling you get when you open that acceptance letter makes it all worth it.

So, while I’m still a kid who loves video games, I’ve learned that sometimes you have to put in the work first to enjoy the rewards later. Good luck to everyone preparing for the 11+. You can do it!