Herts 'familiarisation' VR test and score standardisation
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Herts 'familiarisation' VR test and score standardisation
Does anybody know if the SW Herts consortium tests for Watford Boys/Parmiters/Queens etc. use standardised scores (weighted for age)?
Also...
Just received the invitation for my son to sit the tests. It talks of a 1 hour 15 minute verbal reasoning test of which 30 minutes is for familiarisation.
Can anyone explain what this familiarisation is all about? Did this happen last year?
Also...
Just received the invitation for my son to sit the tests. It talks of a 1 hour 15 minute verbal reasoning test of which 30 minutes is for familiarisation.
Can anyone explain what this familiarisation is all about? Did this happen last year?
Hi Stig,
I do not know if standardized scores are used for Herts, it is generally acknowledged that you do need to be scoring in the 90% + range to get into either Grammars or Parmiters.
The familiarization didn't happen last year, suggest that you ring admissions at one of your chosen schools and ask about it.
I think that it is quite unsettling for children to be effectively doing a practise paper immediately before hand. I would ask if the familiarization paper can be taken away, will be marked at any time, has any bearing on the results of the final test, and what its standard it is in relation to the actual test.
Sorry can't be of more help.
HP
I do not know if standardized scores are used for Herts, it is generally acknowledged that you do need to be scoring in the 90% + range to get into either Grammars or Parmiters.
The familiarization didn't happen last year, suggest that you ring admissions at one of your chosen schools and ask about it.
I think that it is quite unsettling for children to be effectively doing a practise paper immediately before hand. I would ask if the familiarization paper can be taken away, will be marked at any time, has any bearing on the results of the final test, and what its standard it is in relation to the actual test.
Sorry can't be of more help.
HP
Re: Herts 'familiarisation' VR test and score standardisatio
I understand that scores are age-standardised, though I have not seen anything official confirming this.Stig wrote:Does anybody know if the SW Herts consortium tests for Watford Boys/Parmiters/Queens etc. use standardised scores (weighted for age)?
I would be very interested to know too! It seems to me that they are prolonging the test for no particularly good reason. Perhaps it is meant to level the playing field for those who have been not been 'prepared'.Stig wrote:Can anyone explain what this familiarisation is all about? Did this happen last year?
Wrong Planet
Re: 'familiarisation'
I have just spoken to Queens admissions and they tell me that the kids get half an hour to 'familiarise' themselves with the paper before being asked to complete it in 45 minutes!!
What is that all about?????
Anyone else heard this?
What is that all about?????
Anyone else heard this?
Dear All
If its anything like the Bucks late transfer test, the following will apply.
The school will assume that your child has had no formal preparation [ because of course your child does not need it, according to NFER and the schools!....Joke over!]
The familarisation is therefore to show your child what to do, if its multiple choice, how to answer on the sheet. They will also probably go through each type of question, explaining what is required.
Patricia
If its anything like the Bucks late transfer test, the following will apply.
The school will assume that your child has had no formal preparation [ because of course your child does not need it, according to NFER and the schools!....Joke over!]
The familarisation is therefore to show your child what to do, if its multiple choice, how to answer on the sheet. They will also probably go through each type of question, explaining what is required.
Patricia
Standardisation
I've now found out from Queens admissions that last year's results were standardised for age.
familiarisation
Does this mean that they get to look over the vr paper for 30 minutes before they can begin to answer or is there a separate practice paper?
The letter is hopelessly unclear and sampl questions they sent a joke. You would have though that they would send a Maths and VR paper which actually LOOKS like the real test.
The letter is hopelessly unclear and sampl questions they sent a joke. You would have though that they would send a Maths and VR paper which actually LOOKS like the real test.
Looking over the paper
From discussions with Queens admissions it seems that they don't actually look over the paper they are about to do. Rather they are talked through how to do some example questions etc.
And yes - the samples are less than adequate.
Finally - if NFER advise that kids don't need to practise for their tests then why do they publish so many familiarisation papers?????
And yes - the samples are less than adequate.
Finally - if NFER advise that kids don't need to practise for their tests then why do they publish so many familiarisation papers?????
Re: Looking over the paper
Thanks for the info from Queens.
NFER's view doesn't accord with my experience, but it is a little more subtle than that, and certainly not reflected in what the schools are doing. It is disconcerting to see intellectual dishonesty coming from schools.Stressed Stig wrote:And yes - the samples are less than adequate.
Finally - if NFER advise that kids don't need to practise for their tests then why do they publish so many familiarisation papers?????