11 Plus Exams Forum

Hi,

I learned DC will sit CATS tests when they begin year 7 in September and they will be used for streaming. I had assumed that these would be in maths and English, as it's for streaming, but a quick Google tells me they are more VR and NVR tests. Am I looking at the correct thing?

I just looked at my post and wondered if it was clear?! What I suppose I'm a bit puzzled by is that they did NVR/ VR tests to get into GS, and now they are doing more reasoning tests for streaming maths and English and perhaps other subjects? Why not take subject tests to reveal their level of knowledge in those areas? Is there something different or special about CATS reasoning tests?

Or am I looking at the wrong sort of CATS tests?!

Depends on the school's choice.
However it's a really good idea to go in completely ignorant to even having a test that day so the tests fulfil their purpose, rather than being either prepared in any way or nervous!
My poor eldest son got two or three "wb" next to his ks3 final grades this year, when I asked him what it meant he said "well below the anticipated mark based on year 7 cats" bless him, he did really well imo, he is just v v good at cats, a double edged sword!
They combine the case results with sats and teacher reports for streaming at our local upper, I think it helps show true ability rather than how much/how well, they have been taught.

Thanks Southbucks.

Do you mean the CATS could be subject based or reasoning based, depending on what the school chooses? Are there different sorts of CATS then?

I learned that DD would be sitting CATS from another parent, who was getting her DD to practise VR and NVR over the holidays. I was a bit taken aback. Is that normal? My DD hasn't looked at any of that stuff for nearly a year. Will it be to the advantage of DC who have continued their reasoning skills? I don't want DDs confidence knocked from the beginning.

Presumably, your DS wasn't interested in the subjects in which he didn't do as well as expected? If my DSs are anything to go by, if they are not interested, they don't try. And me, for that matter. You should see my ironing skills

No, not subject based, but vr, nvr and quantitative, or cem style or midyis.

There is absolutely no point in setting a child above her ability by trying to practise cats, the biggest confidence knock ever is to be in a set where everyone else has hands flying and you are still working out the answer, your friend, to put it politely, is being rather pushy!

Son not v good at exam pressure, actually that's an understatement, he manages to get so stirred up he gets a flare up of viral tonsillitus almost guaranteed, tummy ache, sickness etc. He is gradually getting better, the cats tests are pretty much pounced on them and they are told they do not matter. Perhaps,if he prepared more, rather than staring at the ceiling and panicking it wouldn't happen and he also has the memory of a sieve. . I don't think he will suit a high flying, high pressure job somehow, perhaps he should steer clear of air traffic controller or fund management.