Failed Nonsuch test by 1 point!

[sutton2012]

Dear All,

My daughter has passed Wallington but failed Nonsuch by 1 point! How do we appeal? Can we appeal directly to the Headteacher? Any and all advice will be much appreciated since Nonsuch was our first choice and Wallington the second...

Many thanks indeed!!

[ThreeKids]

You can appeal, but I do question the purpose. At each school the numbers of children that pass the test is considerably more than the number of children that are finally offered places. In general the cut off point for those that gain a place is several marks above the point where they are deemed to have passed. That means that your daughter does not need just one more mark, she needs several. I do know of some that have asked for their paper to be remarked. The score has not changed when this has been done. If you do wish to appeal then you must put Nonsuch down on your CAF, however very very few appeals are successful.

[London_Mum]

You do not appeal to the Head. You must list Nonsuch on your CAF, wait until March when you will be formally declined a place and then appeal that decision. At this stage, all you can do is request a remark but as Threekids said, even finding one extra mark is unlikely and is not going to lead to an offer since places go to those with scores many marks above the pass/fail borderline.

If you decide to appeal in March, your appeal will be based around the fact that your daughter failed the test but is actually of selective ability and that this result is therefore not representative of her true ability. You will be expected to present evidence to support this in the form of high grades at school, exceptional nc levels and predicted SATS results, school reports etc.

[hermanmunster]

just to add to the posts above some more info here: http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeals" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[laretta]

It is a little different though for Nonsuch as one can have achieved a very high score, but still not deemed to be selective. In this instance an appeal might be easier to win?
Last year the lowest mark to be awarded a place in catchment was 315. Some girls will have achieved a score of say 340, but still not deemed a pass as one of their three elements might have fallen 1 point below. Surely this sort of appeal would be slightly less difficult to prove??
As already stated ensure you name Nonsuch on your CAF.

[London_Mum]

That is true laretta. In those cases a remark could, in theory, lead to a high enough score to qualify for a place (but only if scores for the other two elements of the test were very good). Nonsuch's definition of selective is based on overall score but also stresses the requirement to reach a minimum standard in all 3 tests.
It is still very rare that a score changes after a remark - it is normally just done as reassurance and to certify no mistake has been made. It is definitely worth asking for though.

Assuming a remark did not find the additional point required, the same appeal procedure would need to followed -an application in October to Nonsuch via the CAF followed by evidence of academic ability at appeal next year. If the appeal is for the reasons laretta outlined - a girl for example who scored very highly on both reasoning papers but only achieved 94 in English - the focus of any such appeal would be proving exceptional ability and high grades in English.

[laretta]

Spot on london_mum. If one has done exceptionally well in two areas and just missed other discipline by a hair, emphasis on appeal should focus on demonstrating strength in that area.

[Azi]

Hi,
My DD hasn't passed her Nonsuch test, she got 121 for VR, 140 for NVR and 87 for English, her levels are 5c in english and 5b maths at the moment, passed her Tiffin's with the score of 229 also a pass for Wallingtons and 130 out of maximum 140 for Slough consortium, I am not sure if we will have any luck appealing against Nonsuch since we are outside the catchment area.If we want to appeal would a 5c in english be a good basis? I will assume she could be a 5b or possibly 5a by March.

[London_Mum]

You can certainly appeal on that basis especially if her school work demonstrates a high level of attainment in this area.
The potential problem is that, whilst a 5b is indicative of a child with excellent ability in English, Nonsuch sees such a huge number of applicants all at a similar level that even being of selective ability is not always enough. I would hazard a guess that many or most of the girls who fail to secure a place will nonetheless achieve level 5 in their SATS at least. Such is the calibre of girls taking these tests.

It really depends on the strength of argument you are able to put forward and the supporting evidence you are able to provide.

[Azi]

Thanks London-Mum, it certainly is a tough competition, the only evidence which I could think of would be her school reports throughout her primary years, would there be any other evidence which worth putting forward? also if we decide to appeal would the score of 348 put her in the top 80 to be considered a place since we live outside the catchment area?