11+ exam

[Schmushe]

Hi. My son is taking the 11+ test this month and he has been getting good scores. (Lowest of 77% when he started and now at 92% ).

I know there's no 'official' pass mark but what percentage does he need to be getting in order to get in to a grammar school?

[sarahsquarepants]

I can help with this one I think, I tutor for 11+. You are right there is no official pass mark but there are rough bench marks for each school (they just aren't widely publicised) They work on a score basis, have you been given scores for any of his tests? Can I ask what school you are hoping for him to get into? I can give you what their base entry score was for last year.

His percentages sound very promising though, I tend to tell my students/parents as a very rough guide: consistently over 50% is good but still work to be covered, consistently over 85% means you are ready to go. If I student is frequently scoring under 50% then they might need to rethink doing the test, depending on the age of the child.

Kathryn

[Schmushe]

Hi Kathryn that's great if you could shed done light

We're looking at SHSB or shoebury grammar as I haven't heard great reviews of west cliff.

[weezypops]

Michelle, I'm interested - where haven't you heard good reviews of WHSB? They get the best exam results around pretty much every year. I know it's not just about that but most people I know with kids who have gone there or went there themselves loved the place.

[rachel jane]

My friends boy goes to WHSB and loves it but he got well high marks on his 11+ and is well clever. I heard shsb is more sporty?

[nubs]

I thought Josh wanted to go to futures? Or do you not need a percentage to go there?

[Schmushe]

I spoke to a few people who went to the open day and werent impressed with the staff or the curriculum overall, one of which was a headteacher who was looking for his son and another was his best friend who said he hated it!

I do not take everything I hear as gospel anyway and prefer to make my own decisions about things, but like to have an informed choice when we do sit down to make the selections, hence getting all the information in advance.
There is no guarentee that the pressure wont get to him on the day as its a pretty intense thing, and he may not get the marks needed anyway.

[Schmushe]

I thought Josh wanted to go to futures? Or do you not need a percentage to go there?

It is still a possibility Kris, although its not a grammar so doesnt need the marks at all.

[rachel jane]

How many children are taking the 11+ from Josh's school? Can't believe this could possibly be Connie this time next year crazy!

[Schmushe]

I think there's 10 taking it this year from his school. A couple have dropped out for various reasons. Some are taking it specifically for grammar places and some are keeping options open which I think is the best way.

Shoebury has a open evening this month so will def go and look around and after that the exam will be done and that's the last school to visit fully so can make our choices. Eek!!

[weezypops]

I thought they got their results before you applied so that you didn't end up applying to grammars if they hadn't passed? Or is that not right?

[Schmushe]

Basically the advice we have had is that if they take the exam and want to go to grammar - to put that as your top choice. Then add others. Once the results come out and you meet the pass mark then you are 'potentially' offered the grammar place (places willing). Otherwise it then goes on to the mainstream choice you've chosen.

[sarahsquarepants]

Here is a the data, hopefully it might give you an idea of where he needs to be. If you need any info about how the scoring is worked out let me know, be careful what you read as it's different between counties.

Last year the lowest place offer for Southend for Boys was a score of: 330.697 (I believe the cut off was 329 in the end)
Last year the lowest place offer for Westcliff for Boys was a score of: 333.257

I didn't know there was a grammar in Shoebury to I'm not much help there I'm afraid!

Kathryn

[Schmushe]

Thanks Kathryn. So if its 350 overall he has an allowance of around 21 incorrect. Wow.

[weezypops]

Wow, that's high - 94%!

Kathryn, I don't think Shoebury is a grammar school, it just has a tested '[grammar' stream like St Bernards, Tommy More etc.