Will the Winchester Commoner Exams take place this year? Is my son now in?!

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If your son is holding a conditional 2020 offer for Winchester College, his place is guaranteed and is no longer dependent upon his passing the Commoner exams.

So, will the exams take place?  There is not a straight yes or no answer to this question.

As with the 13+, the Winchester Commoner exams will be issued for 2020 boys. They will be sent to prep schools as normal. However, we are not in a normal world, so.... schools can use the papers 'at their discretion' and return them to the College for marking. 

In September, after their arrival at Wincoll, all the JP (Y9) boys will take setting exams. 

So has all your son's work been wasted? Absolutely not. The Commoner exams are designed to test a skill set which is absolutely necessary for boys to thrive at the College. 

My suggestion? Relax a bit but work as though your son will be sitting the exams but, rather than panicking about passing, think about the skills he is acquiring and work out where his strengths and interests lie. 

Exams are not the end goal, they are just another fence on the course.


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