The 3 BIGGEST problems with 4+ Assessment preparation.

  1. A huge lack of understanding about the 4+ Assessment process.

If you don’t understand something well, it will be very difficult to have tremendous success in that thing. Not understanding the 4+ Assessment process well look like this…

‘I just sent him in and told him to play.’

‘She didn’t pass any of her 4+ Assessments and I do not understand why?’

‘He’s only 3, what could they really be asking him!’

If you don’t understand the 4+ Assessment process, I invite you to at the very least become very knowledgeable about the process. Understand exactly what is expected from your child and then prepare them to be able to at least go in and have a chance at passing. And if you don’t have the time to do this then work with someone who does and who can support you and your child.

Otherwise what really is the point of sending your child to one of these top schools to be assessed?

2. Starting late preparing for the 4+ Assessments.

You need 12 months of 4+ Assessment preparation to have any chance of passing most of these 4+ Assessments at these top schools. Many of our students have 18-24 months of 4+ Assessment preparation.

Are children successful with less that this amount of time?

Sure.

But is it far more stressful?

Yes.

The purpose in what we do with our clients is to build a love for learning that goes far beyond any 4+ Assessment. The intention of what we do is obviously for our students to be given a firm offer of a place at their target schools but it goes far beyond this.

3. Not covering a robust curriculum.

4+ Assessment preparation must cover all 7 areas of the 4+ Curriculum and it must be covered at depth. Your child will be expected to read and write at all of these 4+ Assessments (regardless of what you are told). You child will be expected to count with accuracy to and from 10 (at least!). Your child will be expected to know a broad and vast mathematical curriculum. Your child will be expected to answer questions to a very high standard. Your child will be expected to go in calmly and leave your side in a mature and confident manner.

Expectations are high. The 4+ curriculum is robust.

These are the 3 BIGGEST problems that I see.

They are by far not the only problems that I see.

Preparing for the 4+ for 2027 entry and beyond? Join our Waiting List Today. You will simply be charges your registration fee. Once you’ve joined, I will personally be in touch immediately to choose the days/time that you prefer for weekly tuition.

Preparing for 2026 entry? Book your Sample lesson today.