Westminster School? Do I stand a good chance?

Reply 820

username213287

4

And so it begins, again. Good luck to all those applying this year :yes:

Reply 821

rupertj

12

flyingkate

I heard that the economics entry exam is based on current affairs, how do they expect us to write a whole essay on a current affair for example, if we dont know the complete details?

You can expect to have a few of short answer questions on current affairs, and then one (or in the case of the 2008 exams, two) essays which are entirely economics-based, but open-ended to the extent that substantial knowledge of economics is not necessary (but is sufficient) to answer the questions.

Reply 822

flyingkate

Ok. thanks! :smile:

Reply 823

rupertj

12

flyingkate

Ok. thanks! :smile:

Your welcome.

Reply 824

flyingkate

arson

And so it begins, again. Good luck to all those applying this year :yes:

Yep. am i the only one doing it this year who i currently with this thread? I was worried but i think i feel a bit more confident now. I'm planning on doing biology, chemistry, english and maths. It's been weird cos a year ago, i'd asked some questions and read replies from people doing the exam in 2008, and now, in two moths, im going to be doing it. Arrrgggghhhh, how fast time flies! Apparently you cant revise, but i kinda feel helpless now - thinking that maybe if i revise i would do better? i dunno..... :smile:

Reply 825

Mr Nonsense

13

I never understood why it was such a big deal for some people

Reply 826

RebekahH

okay please be honest with me.
i really want to go to westminster but am not sure if i will get in.

i am predicted 8 a* and 2 a's at gcse and i have already gained the one a in maths, an a* in latin and french as well as 3 a*'s in all 3 sciences.
this is what i have taken and what i am taking
-maths
-english
-history
-latin
-french
-physics
-chemistry
-biology
-r.s
-ict

i propose to study english literature,history, and the classics at a-level. but i do not know greek but i was reading on their website that there is a course in the summer to learn greek up to a-level standard and then to be put in the normal class in september. am i right?.

about my hobbies

i can read hieroglyps to a high standard
school debating
lots of public speaking
grade 8 piano
charity work

i am also quite outgoing and charismatic

how do i stand on getting in to westminster as either a day girl or border??

Reply 827

rupertj

12

RebekahH

okay please be honest with me.
i really want to go to westminster but am not sure if i will get in.

i am predicted 8 a* and 2 a's at gcse and i have already gained the one a in maths, an a* in latin and french as well as 3 a*'s in all 3 sciences.
this is what i have taken and what i am taking
-maths
-english
-history
-latin
-french
-physics
-chemistry
-biology
-r.s
-ict

i propose to study english literature,history, and the classics at a-level. but i do not know greek but i was reading on their website that there is a course in the summer to learn greek up to a-level standard and then to be put in the normal class in september. am i right?.

about my hobbies

i can read hieroglyps to a high standard
school debating
lots of public speaking
grade 8 piano
charity work

i am also quite outgoing and charismatic

how do i stand on getting in to westminster as either a day girl or border??

You definitely stand a chance. Westminster's average set of GCSE grades last academic year was 8A*'s and 2A's. Obviously, some 40-50% of the year achieved less than that, so you are on the right track.

Your extra-curricular activities are also impressive, and most people in the current Sixth Form don't have a grade 8 piano. Debating will also be looked upon in a good light, since debating is a big thing here.

I strongly suggest that you apply, because it sounds like you're capable of getting a place to me.

Reply 828

RebekahH

i will definetely apply then !!!! thanks

Reply 829

VictorHH

Hey,

I would like to ask does past report cards matter in the entry process or is it solely based on the entrance exam and the invterview(if good enough)?

Reply 830

VictorHH

Hey,

I would like to ask does past report cards matter in the entry process or is it solely based on the entrance exam and the invterview(if good enough)?

Reply 831

J.Darren

VictorHH

Hey,

I would like to ask does past report cards matter in the entry process or is it solely based on the entrance exam and the invterview(if good enough)?

It does.

On top of that they'll write to your school for an official transcript containing predicted IGCSE grades BEFORE deciding whether to invite you to attend their interview weekend.

Reply 832

Lizbiz12

hey everyone
i am really worried because i REALLY want to go to westminster but the competition is HUGE and everyone is saying the entrance exams are impossible. im also taking really hard entrance exams:
History
French
English
History of Art

Does anyone have any information about any of the entrance exams for those subjects?

Thanks
Lizzy

PS - Good luck to everyone else trying out this year!

Reply 833

mincaan

Hey, I come from a comprehensive school so I haven't done any GCSEs early or anything but I'm predicted 6 A*s (Maths, Physics, Biology, Chemistry and Double English and 5As (French, German, History, Photography and IT). Do you think I have a shot? I really want to go to Westminster! I'm planning to do Further Maths, French and Economics. Could anyone tell me about the exams they had? And how was the interviews?

Reply 834

Mincan

another question - PLEASE ANSWER
how did/is everyone revising for these exams??

Reply 835

J.Darren

Mincan

another question - PLEASE ANSWER
how did/is everyone revising for these exams??

Been revising furiously for the last two weeks, mainly going over some past papers (GCSE) ... What subjects will you be taking for the entrance exam?

Reply 836

Mincan

maths (im taking further as well) economics and frenc
past papers.. good idea
im going to get some tomorrow
ive been stressing out soo much!!
thank god for half term :smile:

are you trying out the maths challenge stuff too??

Reply 837

Mincan

J.Darren

Been revising furiously for the last two weeks, mainly going over some past papers (GCSE) ... What subjects will you be taking for the entrance exam?

oops forgot to quote you..read the post above! :smile:

Reply 838

wilbsz

GCSE papers won't help at all for the entrance exams. First of all, as around 100 people take it from abroad and do GCSE/IGCSE they can't make it too specific. The content for all exams based on the basics of GCSE, but test your ability to apply them in unfamilar circumstances.

Reply 839

rupertj

12

As wilbsz says, GCSE past papers will do little to help you. Maths challenge papers on the other hand, might help a little bit, but again, the exams test your capacity for sophisticated and logical thinking rather than knowledge or experience, and this goes for all subjects, I think. Just to take physics as an example, ~50% of the material in the exam was unseen. The science papers tend to contain paragraphs explaining some new theory to you, and then asking questions based on it.

I suggest that rather than doing GCSE past papers, you do some maths challenge questions if you're taking maths, keep up with the news if you're taking economics, and otherwise just relax and get some rest during your half term.

The interviews, on the other hand, can be prepared for somewhat. You can look over some GCSE material briefly and read around your subjects to demonstrate an interest in them and to have something to talk about.

Westminster School? Do I stand a good chance?

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