St Paul’s School Dictation Test: Do they assess handwriting?
11 Plus, 13 Plus, Other School Entrance, University Admissions, English & Maths
October 3rd, 2024Last updated: October 18th, 2024
How does handwriting impact performance at 7+, 8+ and beyond? If your child is preparing for a handwriting assessment such as that expected for St Paul's School as part of the English test, handwriting practice is essential. Read on to discover why this skill forms an essential component of your child's progress towards success at entrance examinations.
Do Handwriting Tutors Play a Role?
Handwriting tutors are extremely useful if children need extra support with their handwriting. Good handwriting is an important skill and although typing is encouraged at most schools, public exams are still largely handwritten. Handwriting tutors can help with this, ensuring that not only is handwriting legible but also presentable. St Paul’s School requires candidates at 7+ and 8+ to take a dictation test, meaning handwriting is extremely important in the English section of this entrance examination.
Is Handwriting Assessed in St Paul’s School Dictation Test?
St Paul’s School Dictation Test assesses handwriting at 7+ and 8+ for entry into the school at years 3 and 4. Whilst the English test aims to evaluate a student’s listening and writing skills, it also focuses on accurate transcription through handwriting. Spelling, punctuation and grammar is also a key part of this assessment, but the legibility of the candidate’s handwriting is crucial, so that the teacher making the work can read it. Good handwriting also gives a good impression of a student and is key to success at this level.
How Important is Handwriting Practice?
Handwriting practice involves working on both legibility and speed. If a child is preparing for an entrance test, they will need to consider their handwriting speed as part of working through exam technique. Children working towards the St Paul’s School dictation test at 7+ and 8+ need to be able to write quickly and neatly in exam conditions. Working through handwriting practice exercises to achieve excellent penmanship is a key skill for these students.
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Holly studied at Durham University where she gained a degree in English Literature and Music, and then moved to London where she gained...
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