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Kes test

Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2012 1:46 pm
by NASA
Hi peeps,

So we still have KES to go, we're going to give it a shot. I guess there's nothing to loose, ds didn't score high enough for kea but secured handsworth!

My question really is, how many questions roughly does the exam have and what are the time limits? Is it as tight as gs tests?
On the breakdown it states marks will be awarded for working out even if the answer is wrong but what about if you miss units?

Thought appreciated :)

Thanks

Re: Kes test

Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2012 5:58 pm
by Happy dad
Many boys who don't do as well in KE exams do well in KES and vice versa. There is more subjectivity in the KES result as you also get interviewed before being offered a place - so presumably a good score alone is no guarantee of a place. Nothing to lose apart from the £25 registration fee.

Currently trying to encourage my ds to do the KES and Wolverhampton GS test - but as he got the result he wants for KE he seems less keen. Bit of persuasion needed.

Good luck.

Re: Kes test

Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2012 6:19 pm
by Paramjeet
Not strictly true; you can pass test, not be interviewed and still get offered a place. Interviews for those that are in running for assisted or scholarships places

Re: Kes test

Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2012 6:42 pm
by moseleymum
Interviews are for borderline pass/fail candidates, scholarship candidates and assisted places candidates. Others can get a place without interview if they have passed.

Only EHS to my knowledge interview all those who have passed whether borderline or in the other categories.

Re: Kes test

Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2012 8:27 pm
by Happy dad
KES is different to KE Foundation in that if you get a high enough score for the KE Foundation schools you will get a place. You may get a high score at KES but not be offered a place as the test is not the only criteria - they have primary school reports for every candidate, for example.

Re: Kes test

Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2012 9:11 pm
by moseleymum
Happy dad, I don't know where you get your information from but it does not seem correct from what I know. I have already corrected you re interviews.

KES is an Independent school which is part of the KE foundation (http://www.kingedwardsfoundation.co.uk/index.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;). Although they ask for a report from your child's current school, I have never known of a child who performs well in the exam to be refused a place based on this report.

KES tests for different things compared to the Consortium exam e.g creative writing etc. We know of a boy who is in Camp Hill who still bemoans the fact he didn't get a place at KES (would have been his first choice otherwise). There are cases vice versa where boys obtain KES but possibly not Camp Hill although a fair number of boys who take the KES exam don't bother with the Consortium exam at all.

Re: Kes test

Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2012 10:46 pm
by DIY Mum
From our only experience with KES, we didn't submit a primary school report at all but ds1 was offered a place there. His situation was different in that he was home-schooled at that time. But they didn't ask us to submit a report from his previous primary school either.

Re: Kes test

Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 12:14 am
by Happy dad
Moseleymom, read the admissions policy on the website. A primary school report is obtained for EVERY candidate. The policy also states that they make " use of as many forms of evidence about the pupil as possible" - doesn't sound like the test mark guarantees a place to me. Or is KES applying a different admissions policy to the one they publish?

Re: Kes test

Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 12:16 am
by Happy dad
moseleymum wrote:Interviews are for borderline pass/fail candidates, scholarship candidates and assisted places candidates. Others can get a place without interview if they have passed.

Only EHS to my knowledge interview all those who have passed whether borderline or in the other categories.
They are "mainly" for these groups - not exclusively.

Re: Kes test

Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 9:11 am
by moseleymum
Happy dad wrote:Moseleymom, read the admissions policy on the website. A primary school report is obtained for EVERY candidate. The policy also states that they make " use of as many forms of evidence about the pupil as possible" - doesn't sound like the test mark guarantees a place to me. Or is KES applying a different admissions policy to the one they publish?
Admittedly I haven't read the admissions policy on the website recently. I am basing my answers on personal experience, having a son who goes there and did well in his interview, and several conversations with Mrs Phillips who is the admissions tutor.

DIY Mums comments make sense based on my own experience i.e it's primarily about how well the child does in the exam for a place and you can get a place based on the exam alone. Other factors such as report are used to assess whether to offer the borderline/scholarship/assisted place child an interview. At the interview, KES makes up its own mind.

Rather than read off the website I would suggest calling Mrs Phillips directly to clear up any queries you may have. She has always been very helpful in all our dealings with her.