Cracking the Code: How Mentoring Took Ryan from Nervous Nine-Year-Old to Confident Exam Superstar

The 11+ exams loom large for many young minds. It's a challenging hurdle, packed with unfamiliar content and intense pressure. But amongst the stress and uncertainty, there's also a secret weapon: tutoring and mentoring. Ryan, now a happy and confident 10-year-old, knows this firsthand. Just year ago, the mere mention of the 11+ sent shivers down his spine. "It just felt like a giant mountain I had to climb… and I felt I had to do it all alone," he recalls.

Enter Jackie, Ryan’s tutor and mentor at Advantage Tuition, ready to equip Ryan with the tools and confidence he needed to conquer the summit.

"Jackie made it fun," Ryan smiles. “She would  turn tricky maths problems into puzzles, and use games to explain tricky non verbal reasoning problems. She knew when I was stuck and wouldn't just give me answers, but would  help me figure it out myself."

This personalised approach isn't just Ryan’s experience. Jackie herself emphasises the critical role of mentoring in the tutoring services offered at Advantage Tuition.

"The 11+ isn't just about cramming facts," she explains. "It's about nurturing a love for learning, building resilience, and empowering children to believe in themselves. I see my role very much as a mentor as well as an academic tutor - it’s a much broader approach than simply preparing for an exam.”

Jackie’s guidance extended beyond academics. She celebrated Ryan’s successes, offered words of encouragement during setbacks, and helped him manage test anxiety.

"She made me feel like I could do anything," Ryan remembers. And the results speak for themselves. Ryan smashed his 11+ exams, securing a place at his first choice of school, a super selective Kent grammar school just a few miles from his home. "It just wouldn't have been possible without Jackie," Ryan admits, his voice filled with gratitude.

Jackie smiles proudly.

"Stories like Ryan’s are why we do what we do. It's not just about getting kids into selective schools, it's about unlocking their potential and setting them on a path to lifelong success. With the right tutor and mentor by their side, even the most challenging exam can become a stepping stone to something incredible."

Ryan’s journey exemplifies the magic of mentoring. It's a relationship that extends beyond academics, providing invaluable support and shaping young minds for the future.

As Ryan looks forward to scaling new academic heights at his new school, one thing is clear: the mountain he once feared has become a launchpad, thanks to the guiding hand of his mentor. So, if your child is facing the 11+ ascent, remember, they don't have to climb alone.

With the right support, and a dash of  magic offered by our tutors and mentors at Advantage Tuition, even the most nervous nine-year-old can become a confident exam superstar!