exam strategy (+ bit of prediction fun)
Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2015 8:26 am
My DD has provided me a break down of each section in the exam. The number of questions in that section. How many she answered. I obviously know when she was born and have a reliable set of stats on her success rate in a variety of timed tests in the run up to last Saturday, i.e. the average % she was getting on each type of paper. I won't say what these were either.
My predicted score based on missing questions in all sections (apart from maths) + and known averages from her bond papers is .......................................
194
So I think she we will be about 15-20 below qualifying score. Potentially disappointing but a harsh lesson that your up against the best in Birmingham, and you just don't have the comfort zone to be throwing away potential marks by not answering questions.
It will be really interesting to see if there is any merit in the comments about missing 28 questions and still scoring highly enough to get a place.
Before every one starts getting all scientific - just treat this as a bit of fun. I am aware of all the variables and margins of uncertainty that exist. I really struggled to understand whether we were making good enough progress over the last 18 months. I hope this might prove useful to others starting the journey. BTW also give you her levels from end of Year.
We did try and ensure that DD answered all questions, but for whatever reason it did not happen. DD did not listen and just make guesses with the final questions in each section, when the 1 minute warning was given. Many many children will have done that (DD's best friend, did).
Question to forum - is the optimal exam strategy to work through questions as quickly as possible and then just guess remaining ones when time is running out????
I suppose if you're considering it, you are trading 1 further minute at your normal methodical pace, (let's say 3 questions for Joe average), where you are able to make your best shot Vs for all remaining questions and having a 1 in 4 or 5 chance of getting the correct answer.
It is all clutching at straws now though, bottom line is that she should have been able to answer questions accurately and at speed, for all sections, to be in with a chance against the best of 5,300 competitors.
So in conclusion I will be raising a cheer for all those that pass, regardless of exam strategy they employed. They will have deserved their success!
I will come back on Oct 16 and post a reply here if moderator allows, detailing each section and final outcomes, as well as average bonds scores. Plus bond placements test scores and levels results from Sep 14 and Mar 15 for DD.
My predicted score based on missing questions in all sections (apart from maths) + and known averages from her bond papers is .......................................
194
So I think she we will be about 15-20 below qualifying score. Potentially disappointing but a harsh lesson that your up against the best in Birmingham, and you just don't have the comfort zone to be throwing away potential marks by not answering questions.
It will be really interesting to see if there is any merit in the comments about missing 28 questions and still scoring highly enough to get a place.
Before every one starts getting all scientific - just treat this as a bit of fun. I am aware of all the variables and margins of uncertainty that exist. I really struggled to understand whether we were making good enough progress over the last 18 months. I hope this might prove useful to others starting the journey. BTW also give you her levels from end of Year.
We did try and ensure that DD answered all questions, but for whatever reason it did not happen. DD did not listen and just make guesses with the final questions in each section, when the 1 minute warning was given. Many many children will have done that (DD's best friend, did).
Question to forum - is the optimal exam strategy to work through questions as quickly as possible and then just guess remaining ones when time is running out????
I suppose if you're considering it, you are trading 1 further minute at your normal methodical pace, (let's say 3 questions for Joe average), where you are able to make your best shot Vs for all remaining questions and having a 1 in 4 or 5 chance of getting the correct answer.
It is all clutching at straws now though, bottom line is that she should have been able to answer questions accurately and at speed, for all sections, to be in with a chance against the best of 5,300 competitors.
So in conclusion I will be raising a cheer for all those that pass, regardless of exam strategy they employed. They will have deserved their success!
I will come back on Oct 16 and post a reply here if moderator allows, detailing each section and final outcomes, as well as average bonds scores. Plus bond placements test scores and levels results from Sep 14 and Mar 15 for DD.