Just how hard were the entrance exams ?

efsis · Post by **efsis** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 12:45 pm

At a prep school 1968. Via the RAF offered the chance to sit for the exam in London. Much to the delight of my parents, surprise of my teachers, and later to my horror I passed.

At what level ( roughly ) were the exams ?

Great Plum · Post by **Great Plum** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 12:49 pm

When I took my entrance exam in Jan 1992, I remember talking to my teachers at the prep school I went to to make sure I had done everything needed for the exam - I found out that I was about 2 years ahead of the standard required for maths (nevertheless I ended up in Set 3!)

J.R. · Post by **J.R.** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 12:58 pm

Took my entrance exam, somewhere in London.

Failed the first time on Math(s).

Passed on second attempt.

I remember that Mr. James & Mr. Eagle, (Housemasters Prep A & Prep B), were in attendance on both occasions.

Great Plum · Post by **Great Plum** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 1:01 pm

Mr James only left the school in the mid 1990's!

efsis · Post by **efsis** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 1:02 pm

And I remeber being told to drop my trousers while some doctor had a quick grope. That shoud have warned me about the place.

efsis · Post by **efsis** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 1:02 pm

And I remember being told to drop my trousers while some doctor had a quick grope. That shoud have warned me about the place.

sport! · Post by **sport!** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 1:05 pm

I would certainly have been concerned if he had done it twice!

efsis · Post by **efsis** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 1:07 pm

Without warming his hands you mean ???? !!!!

J.R. · Post by **J.R.** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 1:10 pm

Dr. 'Tommy' Scott in my day.

Richard Ruck · Post by **Richard Ruck** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 1:11 pm

I was an 'Almoners Nominee' so did the exams in London.

Can't remember all the details, but there was certainly some English, Maths, French and (for me, anyway, as I was going to be a third-form squit) Latin.

I also had to have a chat (in French) with Arthur Rider. I seem to remember discussing the rubber tyres on the Paris Metro.

The exams were probably of a reasonably high standard, given the competition for places.

sport! · Post by **sport!** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 1:15 pm

efsis wrote:Without warming his hands you mean ???? !!!!

just teasing.....re- your double post

and yes I remember a "please cough for me" exercise, not sure it was just for CH entrance though in my case

Richard Ruck · Post by **Richard Ruck** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 1:16 pm

efsis wrote:And I remeber being told to drop my trousers while some doctor had a quick grope. That shoud have warned me about the place.

I had to undergo this when I went to C.H. for a sort of 'induction' day during the summer term before joining.

I was quite shocked - I couldn't remember our family doctor ever indulging in a spot of bag-snatching, and I was also bemused by being asked to cough.

I was thinking "It's OK, it hasn't got a cold.....".

J.R. · Post by **J.R.** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 1:22 pm

Great Plum wrote:Mr James only left the school in the mid 1990's!

Would this have been the same Mr James, Matt ??

He must have been in his 40's when I joined school in 1958.

He was a very tall man, as I remember with a deep booming voice which seemed to reverberate through the Prep buildings. Scared the Hell outta' me !

If the same guy, he must have worked well into retirement age.

Richard Ruck · Post by **Richard Ruck** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 1:27 pm

Perhaps Plum's referring to 'Ratty' James. He was a tutor in Mid.B for a while.

Not all that tall, as I remember.....

J.R. · Post by **J.R.** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 1:33 pm

I don't think it could be the same fella'

Over to Mrs C. to find out details of Mr James, Housemaster Prep A in 1958/59.