Devonport High School For Girls 11+ results

[zoorooms]

Ok, I have posted a facebook page, so we can keep this one running http://www.facebook.com/DhsForGirlsPlym ... 012?ref=hl

[zoorooms]

Ok, Tudor Evans is aware that there may be concerns and is asking staff to look into it.... the corridors of power are awakened?

[Okanagan]

It sounds like in your area the maximum possible score is based on the aggregate of 2 seperate standardised scores, which means that the maximum could change depending upon the average score of those taking the paper, and the standard deviation of the marks.

11+ results (in fact most educational results) are standardised to a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of 15. This means that irrespective of the difficulty of the test, about 68 per cent will have a standardised score within 15 points of the average (i.e. between 85 and 115) and about 96 per cent will have a standardised score within two standard deviations (30 points) of the average (i.e. between 70 and 130).

So only about 2% will be getting a score over 130 in any one paper, but 16% will be getting a score over 115, and 50% over 100

The formula for standard scores (before age adjustments) is

S = 15(b — a)/sd + 100

where S is the pupil’s standardised score, b is the pupil’s raw score, a is the average raw score of all the pupils, and sd is the standard deviation of the raw scores.

So the maximum possible score will depend upon the mean and standard deviation of the actual scores achieved -
e.g if the mean score was 58/100 and the sd was 15, the maximum standardised score would be 142
but if the mean score was 58/100 and the sd was only 10, the maximum standardised score would be 163
so clearly that figure won't translate from one year, and one paper, to another as there will inevitably be variations in the mean and standard deviation.

But then you need to adjust these for age too - so a younger child will end up with a higher standardised score than an older one with the same raw score.

Have a look here for more explanation.

Past required scores are probably your best guideline as to the likelihood of getting a place (assuming that the admissions numbers are the same year on year, otherwise adjust accordingly - more places, lower score)

[zoorooms]

Ok so what you are saying is that the interpreting the figures provided may be extremely difficult, in which case why provide them?

In their initial documentation, Plymouth City Council made no mention of the manipulation of data as you suggest, but rather explained,

"The results of the two test papers are added together and candidates placed in descending rank order according to score."

[hungrybear]

it is 100% impossible to glean anything directly meaningful from the 'results' given. I cannot even make a sensible guess because it depends largely on how many took the exam.

[Okanagan]

Ok so what you are saying is that the interpreting the figures provided may be extremely difficult, in which case why provide them?

In their initial documentation, Plymouth City Council made no mention of the manipulation of data as you suggest, but rather explained,

"The results of the two test papers are added together and candidates placed in descending rank order according to score."

I don't know the schools in your area - but the Devonport Boys admissions policy clearly says "When the scores have been standardised". I'd be surprised if one was standardising and not the other - and to be honest the numbers quoted in this thread do look like typical standardised scores - around 100 - give or take a bit - per paper, going up to around 140 as a maximum, and 69 per paper as a lowest score.

Would your admissions office tell you the number who took it if you asked? Standardised scores tell you roughly where you stand in percentile terms. Combine that with the number taking it and you'd have an estimate of rank. You could always ask about the qualifying scores from previous years too.

[zoorooms]

There was the suggestion that there were 2 sittings at DHSG, 170 per exam sitting? But I'm not sure what happened at PHSG?

[zoorooms]

Last year according to Plymouth City Council, DHSG had 308 applications for 120 places and PHSG had 309 applications for 120 places

[zoorooms]

All I can find on Plymouth City Council's Guidance "The Next Step Parent's Guide" is the following,

The procedure comprises two NFER (National Foundation for Educational Research) standardised tests in a multiple choice format and a locally set English paper,
normally taken at one of the girls’ grammar schools during the autumn term

[hungrybear]

Last year according to Plymouth City Council, DHSG had 308 applications for 120 places and PHSG had 309 applications for 120 places

whilst that is strictly correct, it includes 2nd / 3rd choices and IMO there will be significant 2nd choice overlap.

As first choice there were 194 and 151 applicants. So 345 would be a better estimate perhaps or 400 ish as a randomish working figure.