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Likely pass marks ?

Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 5:32 pm
by tolkein
Hi all,

I'm new to this forum. Like everyone, I'm awaiting Saturday with baited breath. Can anyone speculate on the likely pass mark required for Pates and STR given the numbers ? I know STR say 210 as a minimum.

Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 6:07 pm
by Milla
Hi, Tolkein.

STR say 210 as a minimum (rather than the old 105 in each paper) but as the sticky at the top shows, last year 220 was actually needed. 210 was fine for DRd (although their highest scorer went higher than STR's did). One thing, the mark you get from Pate's (if you included Pate's in the information sharing which I'm assuming did) the mark they give you, if unsuccessful for them (and if you are successful, they won't give you a mark at this stage, I don't know if you can squeeze one out of them later) is not a cross comparison to a STR/DRd mark. It might end up being similar, and is good as a guide, but the actual mark culled from being a part of each (different) cohort will, of course, be different.

As for Pate's, well, the moderated marks mean that, apparently 240 is the lowest mark considered. But how the 240 compares year on year ... who knows, and what correlation 240 has with the percentages our children get on the test papers, who knows again.

Different figures get bandied around. Someone said that you need 85%+ for Pate's. Someone else told me 90-95%. Shrouded in mystery! If anyone knows any more, please add it.

Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 12:33 pm
by Tolstoy
DS2 wants Tommy's so I am hoping for a Pates mark of 225 or above, preferably in the 230's, that way we can relax between now and March. Lower puts us into what we call the twilight zone so DS2 could still get a place but there is a stronger element of uncertainty

Tommy's, if they use the same system as last year, will just tell you wether they are eligible to be considered for a place.

If your child gets into the Pates top 120 you will definately get a place there. Up to 160 then it is more of a lottery. Last year they offered places into the 150's but this year, well into credit crunch, may be different. What it will mean though is that you will definately get a place at Tommy's.

As a system it sucks and is very unfair on the children as well as the poor parents. Part of the reason I prepped my DS2 so highly was to try and avoid being in the twilight zone. Of course that in itself raises the bench mark for other children.

Anyway on Saturday the number of posters will probably go up as people try and make sense of their scores. I was in that boat last year it was only thanks to Milla I realised how well DS1 had done and that he would probably get his place at Tommy's which he did.

Goodluck anyway :)

Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 12:16 am
by Glos_Mum
.................

Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 8:25 am
by Burneth
Not 100% sure but I believe Crypt re-test for part of their appeal process

Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 9:13 am
by Ruby Tuesday
That's interesting. I am aware of a girl that didn't pass but still got in to SHS last year with very dubious grounds for appeal. I also know of a girl who did pass, but didn't get offered a place. She had very strong grounds for appeal but didn't bother as the family didn't want any more trauma.
He who shouts loudest perhaps?????

Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 11:04 am
by Tolstoy
Not 100% sure but I believe Crypt re-test for part of their appeal process
Actually that seems an incredibly sensible idea. Can't think why it isn't common practice.

I agree about the appeal business. Some people don't even think of appealing if they are on the waiting list. Plus you get those who worry that their children won't cope if they have to appeal which is absolute bunkum.

Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 11:33 am
by Milla
I won't be appealing if DS2 doesn't pass.

My thinking is that he was tutored, he is bright, he was getting in the 90s in his tests, he was confident in the test. If it hasn't worked out then I have no "excuses." He took the test in a level playing field as it were (yes, yes, I know it was really in a classroom :roll: ) and not all will pass.
He wasn't well for a couple of days just before the test but I deemed him fine on the day so can't play the sick card. I would have no grounds and would find it too distressing dredging some up and putting us through another few months uncertainty and obsession. It's nearly driven me crazy as it is.

I'm well aware, having said this, that we are luckier than most with a good comp so I'm not faced with the same sense of impending educational bancruptcy which is some people's lot.

Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 11:46 am
by Tolstoy
... and he will be fine so won't need to. I am sure it is not as hard as we are imagining it to be.

Our comp is fine at the moment but I have a sneaky suspicion it is going to grow enormously over the next couple of years to accomodate a huge building development that is set to happen in the town.

Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 12:54 pm
by capers123
Milla wrote:He took the test in a level playing field
What a great reason for an appeal - 'my question paper kept blowing away in the wind, and got really soggy'. :D