Keystone Tutors Blog
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UKiset Verbal Reasoning Questions
There are three types of reasoning tested within the UKiset: Verbal Reasoning: language questions and problem solving with words Non-Verbal Reasoning: solving problems using shapes, pictures and logic Mathematical Reasoning: looking at number, value, quantity and sequence concepts.
How an Education Consultant Can Help
Common FAQs on Working with an Education Consultant The decision on where your child should go to school or university is a critical one, and can be exciting, complicated, and even a little overwhelming for any parent. It can be the culmination of years of your child’s hard work and careful planning, and can open up avenues for their education and career that enable them to flourish – or close them off.
7 Plus Reading List
Reading List for children in Year 1 and Year 2 (Age 6 and 7)Parents often ask us for reading recommendations and so we have compiled the following list below as a good starting point! These are all either personal favourites or recommended on well renowned book lists.
8 Plus Reading List
Reading List for children in Year 3 and Year 4 (Age 7 and 8)Children studying for the 8 plus exams are moving on from the initial chapter books and early reading series they may have looked at during seven plus preparation and are starting to choose more sophisticated titles. Books at this age are starting to get longer and tackle a broader range of subjects.
11 Plus Reading List
Reading List for children in Year 5, Year 6 and Year 7 (Age 9 to 11)Children studying for the 11 plus exams are at a key point in their school reading journey. They are starting to develop the independence and autonomy to seek out their own reading books and decide how to incorporate reading into their daily routine.
11 Plus Vocabulary List
In order to excel in the 11 Plus, children need to have a wide vocabulary to draw on. Good vocabulary knowledge will help in all aspects of the English exam (reading, writing, verbal reasoning) as well as in the interviews.Comprehending the reading part of the exam requires knowledge of what the individual words mean and what they mean within the context of the particular comprehension.
13 Plus Vocabulary List
Students taking the 13 Plus will be expected to use language effectively in all areas of the English exam, as well as in interviews.The exam will likely test candidates understanding of an unseen passage from a novel, play, poem or from another genre. At this level, students are assessed on their understanding of the text, as well as their analysis and evaluation of it.
8 Plus Vocabulary List
Vocabulary plays a crucial part in all aspects of communication; listening, speaking, reading and writing. Children taking the 8 Plus exam will need to have a good range of vocabulary to call on in interviews, and when completing the reading, writing and reasoning aspects of the entrance exams.This age group will be developing their use of logic and understanding of cause and effect.
7 Plus Vocabulary List
Six to seven year olds expand their vocabulary at a rapid rate, learning 5-10 words a day. While these are mostly learnt indirectly through everyday experiences, such as through discussion and reading, direct teaching can consolidate and improve a child’s vocabulary knowledge in readiness for the 7+ exam.
Relocating to the UK: A Guide to Applying to a UK School
Keystone works extensively with families looking to relocate to the UK from abroad or apply to a UK boarding school. Our Consultants use their in-depth knowledge of the British education system and entrance exams to help families all over the world find the right UK school for their child.
11 Plus Past Papers and Sample Tests
There are a great variety of resources and materials available online for Pre-Test and 11 plus assessments. The most reliable are from Galore Park, although some schools do offer sample papers or links to the types of assessment they use. Below we have compiled details of entry requirements and links to school specific 11 plus past papers for independent schools in London that are free to download.
Webinar: How to choose a Nursery School - Q & A with a nursery specialist
In this webinar Harriet, Keystone's Director of Education, and Sabine Hook, a specialist nursery consultant, discussed the following key questions: How do you decide what the best option is for your child? When should parents start thinking about nursery schools and when do they need to register? How do you start the search and What do you recommend looking for in a nursery? What questions should parents ask when visiting a nursery? Is the Ofsted report a good place to find out.
How to Choose an Oxbridge College?
Oxford has 39 colleges, Cambridge 31. You can leave it to chance and make an open application, but most people expect to direct their application to one of them. In some ways, it seems an unnecessary distraction. After all, no one presents Formula One drivers on the starting grid with a wine list expecting them to choose which champagne they want to be sprayed with on the podium.
Applying to UK Universities from Hong Kong
UK universities are incredibly popular with students from Hong Kong, and Keystone Tutors has extensive experience in helping these students to gain admission to their desired university. This invaluable guide covers key facts and tips about the application process, how to choose the right university and course, and the costs and fees involved.
Webinar: Applying to UK Universities
Keystone's Head of Consultancy, Harriet Blomefield, was joined by Ed Richardson, our Director of Education and Jenny McGowan, our Director in Asia to discuss the application process to universities in the UK. They also provided some top tips to aid the process.
Webinar: How Do We Best Support School-aged Children with Their Mental Health?
Keystone's Director of Education, Ed Richardson, was joined by guest experts Clare de Lotbiniere, a BACP Accredited Psychotherapist, and Robert Batt, CEO and Clinical Director of The Recovery Centre (TRC), a leading mental health support clinic in London, to discuss supporting school-aged children with their mental health. More Detail on our guest panellists: Clare has worked in state and private education sectors, working with both students and staff.
Where Did the UK’s Most Successful Under 40 Year Olds Study?
This report, by Keystone's Head of Education Consultancy, Harriet Blomefield, explores the educational backgrounds (undergraduate degrees and secondary schools) of 'successful' people under the age of 40. To support this research Keystone collated just under 1,000 young people (aged 40 or under) who have been noted for making a recognised impact in their fields of work: business, politics, the arts and so on.
University Choices
‘What shall I do when I leave school?’ is just one of a number of important questions students make during their final three years at school. But, it is one that they shouldn’t feel daunted by as this is an exciting time and, typically, the final step in their formal education. The most salient point to remember is that there is a spider’s web of people from whom they can seek advice: teachers, parents, friends and even current university students.
The Limitations of League Tables
In his recent Keystone blog, ‘How to Assess a School’s Academic Performance’, Felix Hamilton provided useful information for parents questioning which academic performance league-tables are the most trustworthy. He also made the point that schools cannot be judged on academic performance alone, a point that I would support wholeheartedly.
Applying to Study History at Oxford University
Keystone Tutor Tom read History at Christ Church College, Oxford, graduating in 2015. In the interview below Tom covers his inside experience of the application process, the best ways to prepare, and some insights into his work as a tutor helping students gain entry to some of the UK’s top academic institutions.
What are the education options in the UK for Hong Kong BNO visa holders?
In 2020, the UK Government announced a new visa for Hong Kong residents that have British National (Overseas) status in response to the new security laws being introduced by China.
How to Set Up a Home School
In light of the Covid-19 school closures we thought it would be helpful to list some of our key recommendations when it comes to making home-schooling a success.
Online Learning - Ground Rules for Students
To assist teachers and students in making online lessons as productive as possible we have put together this infographic on the ground rules that students should follow for online learning.
Is Online Tuition for English Right for My Child?
Michael has been working for Keystone for over 3 years, tutoring students online in English. In this short question and answer article, Michael covers some of the key concerns that parents often have about the effectiveness of online tuition, based on his own extensive experience. He also talks about some of the tools and techniques that can be used by tutors and students to get the most out of online tuition.
How Effective is Online Tutoring? A Parent’s Guide
Online tutoring has been a popular option for many years – but how effective is it? What are the key differences between online and in-person tuition? Is it right for your child? In the article below, one of Keystone's most experiened online tutors Alexander, answers parents’ most frequent questions about the advantages of online tutoring.
UKiset Vocabulary List
It is difficult to recommend one vocabulary list for the UKiset, as it can be taken by students at any age between 9-and-a-half to 18 years old. As a profiling assessment, it measures a student’s level of academic English which is then judged against peers of the same age.
UKiset Past Papers and Sample Tests
Past papers are a fantastic way to prepare for any kind of exam - but UKiset do not publish them, sadly! Fortunately there are a number of ways to prepare for the different sections of the test, and any candidate taking the UKiset would be well advised to practice using the resources and tips below.
Does Alma Still Matter? A Report by Keystone Tutors on The Schools Educating The Nation's Elite
Keystone has today published a report that analyses the education backgrounds of individuals who feature in Who's Who and Who Was Who. Analysing 66,000 datapoints from the Who's Who database we have been able to see some fascinating the trends as to which schools are educating the "nation's elite".
Webinar: “Can Do Better?” Have We Found the Best Way to Assess Schools and How to Select Them?
This webinar, co-hosted by Keystone Tutors and Wild Search, brought together a distinguished panel of experienced educationalists to challenge some of the assumptions which are often made regarding schools.
Guide to Human, Social, and Political Sciences (HSPS) at Cambridge
What is HSPS at Cambridge? Human, Social and Political Sciences (HSPS) at Cambridge is a three-year BA Hons degree in politics, international relations, social anthropology and sociology. Although students can focus on one of these areas from the start, HSPS is also the broadest and most flexible political and/or social science degree at Oxbridge.
