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New Warwickshire Eleven+ information

Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 2:45 pm
by RachelT
The minutes of the Warwickshire Schools Admissions Forum has appeared on the warwickshire.gov website, in .pdf form:

http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/Web/corp ... -02-07.pdf

It has an interesting quote:

"... it was proposed that for the next two years children would take two NFER Verbal Reasoning Tests in Test Centres."

So it looks as if Moray House is out and NFER is in.

Does anyone have experience of NFER preparation?

Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 4:47 pm
by KenR
Hi Rachel,

NFER tests are used by a number of LEAs, check the 11+ admissions region section on the Home Page. I think it's used by used by Berks and Birmingham (Bishops Vesey & Sutton Girls) and also Walsall (Queen Mary's).

If you check the tips on this site this should help. Also you can buy practice papers at a discount from this site as well. Many people have used NFER for practice - we certainly did - found them very helpful.

Not sure if you read the full minutes of the meeting, but Warwickshire also did a trial with the Univ of Durham online tests - these are an online version of the KE Grammar tests used by the Birmingham KE VI Foundation. They tested these using year7 pupils from Alcester Grammar; I thought the quote w3as very intesting:-
-the results clearly demonstrated the range and fallibility of
the current system
- a bespoke test could be in the form of a written test, but
the online test did make allowances for computer ability
- concern was expressed in regard to the robustness and
sustainability of the test
The 1st line is obviously a code for 'some year7 pupils who passed the 11+ exam for Alcester Grammar didn't do very well in the test'

I think it's a good move that they have moved away from Moray House and avoid any security risks

Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 6:00 pm
by RachelT
Ken

Yes - I was intrigued by the comment on the Durham tests too! But I'm very glad my daughter won't have to put up with any "cheating" discussions when she sits the 11+ later this year... it can't be good for anyone. The new system also probably works to our advantage, since we aren't proposing to take on a tutor!!

Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 1:14 pm
by jacquie
Hi again. yes I'm finding my way around! Apologies for my rushed entry and lack of study of all the threads. There were so many and I was bewildered, tired at the end of a long week and a long session of tutoring, and had just been presented with the cheating claims on Friday. It suddenly made sense why a little girl who had been regularly getting 95% had failed. I discovered this forum by accident when i had the idea to google the claims to find out more.
Anyway. I'm clear that the tests are now being done externally ( not in schools) and NFER are being used. I currently use the Athey Papers
( Secondary Selection Portfolio). Are the NFER papers that I can buy in their shop a good indicator of the test papers do you think? Or should I stick with S.S.P. Sorry if that is a silly question, but I think I looked at them before and thought them easier than S.S. Portfolio.

Appreciate help given and patience. This site is great!

Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 2:25 pm
by patricia
Dear Jacquie [and any parents wishing to DIY]

I am a tutor in Bucks, our 11+ consists of 2 VR multiple Choice tests published by NFER.

Athey are not relevant to these tests.

You need to find out whether the tests are Multiple Choice or Standard and whether they will cover the standard 15 types or 21 types of questions, If in doubt teach all 21.

Should the test be M/C 15/21 types by NFER then the Following copy and paste which I Submitted in the Bucks section may be of use....Its meant for parents wishing to DIY, but of course can be used by Tutors too!

-------------------------------------------------------------

Are you ready for this?.......

The 11 plus exam in Bucks consists of 2 Verbal Reasoning, Multiple choice tests. Each paper has 80 questions to complete in 50 minutes.

The tests are published by NFER.

Publishers which currently cover the 21 types required for Bucks include:
AFN, IPS, SUSAN DAUGHTREY [Bright Sparks only, NOT her books 1-7]

NFER, who publish the Bucks tests only contain 15 types of questions…..it is therefore necessary to practice HIKNOS while completing these tests. [HIKNOS are 6 types as identified by IPS]
I would recommend that you start by buying a method and technique book in order to teach yourself how approach each of the questions [IPS]

http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/books/list.php?ex=85" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

IPS also publishes a book containing a selection of each type. Before you administer your first test, teach your child the types contained in that test using the IPS additional questions book, continue this method for the first few tests.

http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/books/list.php?ex=90" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Use tests in the following order…..

1] IPS, 10 tests 50 questions, 30 minutes [shorter tests good to begin with]

http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/books/list.php?ex=88" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

2] SUSAN DAUGHTREY [Bright Sparks only], 4 tests 80 questions 50 minutes [soon to be 8 tests]
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/books/list.php?ex=120" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

3] NFER, 4 tests, 85 questions 50 minutes [remember to practice HIKNOS from IPS when completing these tests, also need to cross off the last 5 questions, as the real test only has 80 not 85]

http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/books/list.php?ex=14" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Do not start until the New Year, between now and then [and for the rest of year 5] ensure your child reads out loud to you at least 3 times a week, making note of all unknown vocabulary. If you look at some of the posts concerning the 2006 11 plus, the majority of posters, mention vocabulary as being the biggest problem [and I whole heartedly agree]
See the following link, bottom of the page, for my list of words with an explanation of how to use flash cards as an aid

http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/revisi" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... wnload.php

In addition, there are 4 types of maths questions, they are not rocket science, BUT require an ability to quickly recall the 4 maths operations i.e. adding, subtraction, multiplying and dividing. The quicker the child can recall, the more time can be spent on codes [easy marks, but time consuming] Basically if you ask for 8 x 7 you want the answer 56, now not in 10 seconds time, once they know their times tables inside out and back to front [ up to 12 x] then division becomes easy. Adding and subtraction should be practiced using numbers under 150….try making up games, giving quick fire questions in the car, out for walks etc.

This forum is a wealth of information, look around, take note and get teaching! Any problems just ask, there is always someone willing to help.

Patricia-

Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 3:06 pm
by jacquie
Hi Patricia; thankyou; phew it's a good job I found you. The Athey work done so far will have relevance, yes? For focus and mental agility if nothing else. I do the maths work already- have worked out the relevance of that. I also do work on Time, fast and slow clocks; timetables. Will graphs be relevant still, I wonder.
The vocabulary, again another one I always follow through and loads of reading and critical analysis, finding meanings, interpretating a text etc. So I'm on track with that.

I started in January with this years candidates. Previously Warks has been Standard version. If I ring up Warwicks C.C. i wonder if they will tell me what the format will be. Parents are not getting anything out of them- they have been told they havent yet decided. Also, previous experience is ,they 'slam the door', if I mention I'm a tutor!

So for next weeks lessons...are the bond Books relevant? I dont understand if they arent. There are 40 different types of question- I suppose what youre saying is, that's too many to cover, as it is unnecessary, now, with this change.

Is there a batch of books/ papers for Standard NFER you can recommend? I've a feeling they may stick to Standard format, as previously with the Moray. I bet Moray are none to happy- suppose they will now lose a lot of business and so will Athey ( all of mine anyway!)

I wonder when Warks CC will be obliged to give all the decisions.


Sorry Panicking!!arrrgh...all these years tutoring ( since 1990) and now turn around time! Help!!? :? Please!

Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 3:32 pm
by patricia
Dear Jacquie

Bond are most definitely NOT relevant. I only tutuor the correct types, there are enough publishers on the market that cover 15/21, my link above shows the relevant books/papers. for M/C,you need to do some homework in order to find out whether its M/C or Standard Perhaps you could post back when you find out. Although you can adapt most of the above papers to teach standard form.

Patricia

Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 3:45 pm
by jacquie
Thanks; Oh bother; My clients have all bought all the Athey and all the BOnd books....I tried to download the free software to have a look, as you said, but it wouldnt work. I heard another tutor last year always uses a book called First aid in English. It's very old; any relevance do you know? I got a copy and used some of the synonym work but it is quite laborious.

Looks like it's maths /vocab this week.

Thankyou for responding- and on a Sunday too. very Kind!

Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 4:01 pm
by patricia
Dear Jacquie

First aid in English only of some use for Synonyms, analogies and homophones. I still like it though a good reference book

During your vocab sessions dont forget compound words

http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/revisi" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... wnload.php

bottom of the page...

Patricia

Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 4:04 pm
by jacquie
Sorry there's sooooooo much information to take in, to be ready for Monday and to explain it to parents ( final stage to complete understanding , yes?) I bought a couple of the cd's from The tutors and also bought a download of the 21 question types from the web site. Hopefully, that will help orientate me. :?