School-set paper
How to prep for Channing School
Exam format
This school sets its own entrance papers in Maths and English, often with reasoning. Format, length and scoring vary — always check the school's own past paper pack.
| Subject | Questions | Minutes |
|---|---|---|
| Maths | ~40 | 60 |
| English | ~30 | 60 |
| Reasoning | ~40 | 45 |
Month-by-month plan
Based on a 12-month prep window. If you have less time, compress the early foundation months; if you have more, extend the foundation phase.
Foundation
Months 12–9 before examFill curriculum gaps before moving to exam-style work. Consistency > intensity.
- Daily 20-minute practice across all four subjects (rotate, not all at once)
- Identify weak topics via a diagnostic and prioritise them
- Build reading stamina — 20 minutes of fiction + 10 minutes of non-fiction daily
- Learn core mental maths facts (times tables to 12, doubles, halves, %)
Skill-building
Months 8–5Move from learning topics to practising them under mild time pressure.
- Introduce timed mini-tests (15 questions in 15 minutes) per subject weekly
- Add vocabulary-building: aim for 10 new words per week with usage
- Start verbal and non-verbal reasoning technique drills (one type per week)
- Review mistakes — a wrong answer without a follow-up is a wasted question
Exam-style
Months 4–2Full past papers under real exam timing. Match the format of the school.
- Complete one full past paper per week, then mark together
- Build mock-exam resilience — do at least one sitting in exam-style conditions
- Target weakest topic from the diagnostic each week
- Introduce double mock days (two papers in a morning) for stamina
Final stretch
Final 4 weeksPeak condition — maintain volume, reduce novelty, prioritise sleep.
- Short daily sessions (25–30 min) — no marathons
- Review mistakes notebook — revisit questions, don't re-do unrelated topics
- Do a dress-rehearsal paper at the same time of day as the real exam
- Sleep, hydration, breakfast — treat the final week like athletes treat taper
FAQ
When should we start preparing for Channing School?
Most families start 12–18 months before the exam. For Channing School (Independent school, School-set paper) the gap between an unprepared child and the pass threshold is typically 2–3 grade levels, which needs sustained practice across all subjects.
What exam board does Channing School use?
Channing School uses School-set paper. This school sets its own entrance papers in Maths and English, often with reasoning. Format, length and scoring vary — always check the school's own past paper pack.
Can we prepare without a tutor?
Yes — many children pass without private tutors. The keys are consistent daily practice (30–45 minutes), full past papers under timed conditions, and an honest weekly review of mistakes. App-based prep like Elandi replaces the tutor's content prep and scheduling role.
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