Timothy - A 4+ True Story

My student’s name has been changed to protect his privacy and so has his father’s name.

George contacted me in early October 2023. He was desperate to send his son to Habs boys. He told me that he had gone there and therefore was alumni. Surely that counted for something.

It does not.

When I asked him why he had left it to the last minute, he told me that as a family they had many other important things to deal with that year. They had moved home, his wife was expecting their second baby and he didn’t believe his son needed that much help. It was not a priority. Until now.

I told George that two months was not enough to prepare for Habs boys. I had been preparing my other boys for Habs since January of that same year.

He insisted that we get started and so we did.

Timothy was clearly a bright boy. However, he struggled with his social skills. He didn’t answer my questions with the detail needed and often he refused to answer my questions. His father quickly became deeply frustrated and told me that he knew that his son could do way more than he was showing.

This is irrelevant. It really doesn’t matter what you think your child can and cannot do. What matters is what they are able to show in the 4+ Assessment. George took it all very personally.

This is the biggest problem with starting late. You are going to be far more stressed out than had you started with a full year of time to prepare. Your stress will filter through to your child. Children absorb our emotions like a sponge. Your child will not do well under pressure. They are three at this point! No one wants a three year old to be stressed out, worried or anxious.

But if you’re feeling this way, how do you think that your child will be feeling?

Timothy did not pass his 4+ Assessment at Habs Boys (Round 1). His father was very surprised. I was not.

I know exactly what it takes to pass both rounds at this school. This is why we always have exceptional results every single year.

However, we do not perform miracles. So if you choose to start late, that’s on you and that’s your responsibility.

Timothy has been preparing for his 7+ since August 2024 and he will be applying to Habs for the 7+ Assessment. He is thriving and doing very well. George is a lot calmer and now has a deeper understanding of the Assessment process. He has chosen to put his energy into what he has control over.

I have no doubt that Timothy will get into his dream school at 7+.

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