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Mock/familiarisation test on the day before actual exam?

Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2014 10:55 pm
by Mumof2boyskent
Apologies if this has been covered elsewhere, I have read through many posts, but cannot find a conclusive answer.

Do the children sit a mock or familiarisation test the day before the actual exam on the 10th Sept? I believe the children did last year at our school, is it the same this year with the changes in Kent?

I can't believe it has come round so quickly!

Many thanks and good luck to all DC's taking the test and the frazzled parents too! :roll:

Re: Mock/familiarisation test on the day before actual exam?

Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2014 1:02 pm
by Mumof2boyskent
FYI - I have had it confirmed today that there will not be a mock/familiarisation test the day before the actual exam this year.

Re: Mock/familiarisation test on the day before actual exam?

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2014 8:57 am
by anotherworriedmum
Oh that is interesting I did not know that. I nearly replied to you last night saying "there always is one the week before, so I am sure there will be on this year"!

Re: Mock/familiarisation test on the day before actual exam?

Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2014 8:57 pm
by UncleBob
Mumof2boyskent wrote:FYI - I have had it confirmed today that there will not be a mock/familiarisation test the day before the actual exam this year.
I know three schools in Sevenoaks that are doing mocks on the 10th. So probably up to each school.

Re: Mock/familiarisation test on the day before actual exam?

Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2014 9:27 pm
by mystery
The real thing is on the 10th?

Re: Mock/familiarisation test on the day before actual exam?

Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2014 10:07 pm
by UncleBob
mystery wrote:The real thing is on the 10th?

Lol. Oops of course I meant 9th :)

Re: Mock/familiarisation test on the day before actual exam?

Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2014 8:36 pm
by mystery
It is naughty of them, whoever they are. But unless the schools concerned are giving a sneak preview of the question types :shock: I am happier that my school is not doing that so late in the day.

Re: Mock/familiarisation test on the day before actual exam?

Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2014 8:54 pm
by UncleBob
mystery wrote:It is naughty of them, whoever they are. But unless the schools concerned are giving a sneak preview of the question types :shock: I am happier that my school is not doing that so late in the day.
I don't see it as naughty. They certainly wouldn't sneak peak any questions. I see if as setting up the children to ensure that nerves and unfamiliarity with exam situations are not an issue.

Re: Mock/familiarisation test on the day before actual exam?

Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2014 10:18 pm
by mystery
I don't really see it as naughty but it is because partner schools and maintained kent primaries are asked not to prepare. Schools are not being asked to do a practice this year and are not provided with any material to do so unlike in the past. This running of a mock is therefore a type of banned preparation. Why did they decide to do it the day before? Why not last term? It's too close to the real thing for parents to reflect on the experience with the child. Why have three schools chosen the same day for a mock?

Re: Mock/familiarisation test on the day before actual exam?

Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2014 10:27 pm
by Guest55
Has anyone spoken to the LA about this? This is 'additional preparation' for the test imho.

If the purpose is to practise the routine then surely the children have done a test before?