WAITING for "offer day" is a nauseating experience for many families. The lack of control they have over the process and the uncertainty make it unbearable.

Way back in October, they attended open evenings, "Googled" league tables, examined Ofsted reports, listened to playground gossip, weighed up the pros and cons of single-sex schools and finally filled in the application forms ranking their choices.

Only now are they finding out if their child has been offered the school of their choice.

There are so many variables - from the number of other pupils applying to how children performed in their music aptitude tests. And as the credit crunch hits us all, this year more than ever is an anxious time. Parents are putting more eggs in one basket - selective state grammar schools. Children who would have attended private schools are sitting entrance exams only for grammars as fees become unaffordable for many families.

Privately, independent schools admit the number of children applying is down this year while the number leaving is higher than ever. This view is supported by state schools who are noticing a rise in popularity.

What is not on the decrease, is the money parents are willing to pay to secure a place at a leading state school. Many now consider a year of private or group tutoring an essential expense to secure a top quality free education.

Katie Krais is an education consultant. Her book Getting Your Child Into Secondary School is due out from Hodder Education in June.