Chances of passing the Eleven Plus

How bright do you have to be to pass the Eleven Plus?


Francis Galton learned to read at the age of two and a half. He signed his name at three and wrote a letter at four. The day before his fifth birthday he wrote the following letter to his sister Adele:

Mt dear Adele, I am 4 years old and can read any English book. I can say all the Latin substantives and adjectives and active verbs besides 52 lines of Latin poetry. I can cast up any sum in addition and multiply by 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10. I can also say the pence table. I can read French a little and I know the clock.

Francis Galton
February 1827.

It is obvious that Galton had a good start in life. He turned out to be an eminent man. He had the advantage of three elements:

Natural ability
Personality traits
Environment

So how bright do you have to be to pass the Eleven Plus?

It seems you need ability.

You need to have a desire to pass the examination.

You need inspiring support from parents, school, teachers, family and peers.

Parents often ask teachers: “Will my child pass the Eleven Plus?”

All the teacher has to answer is: “Well he has the ability, the desire and the right support. I would say he does have a good chance.”