Bishop Vesey's passmark

Eleven Plus (11+) in Birmingham, Walsall, Wolverhampton and Wrekin

Moderators: Section Moderators, Forum Moderators

Post Reply
11 Plus Platform - Online Practice Makes Perfect - Try Now
Guest

Bishop Vesey's passmark

Post by Guest »

Just wondered if anyone knows how Bishop Vesey's work out their pass mark. I understand 318 is the pass mark - but how do they arrive at this and what does that convert to in percentage? I know this section mainly covers King Edwards - but any help appreciated.
KenR
Posts: 1506
Joined: Fri Mar 17, 2006 6:12 pm
Location: Birmingham

Bishop Vesey Format

Post by KenR »

I didn't know the pass mark was 318, but if it is that suggests an average Standardised Pass Mark of 106 for each of the 3 papers (probably 107 for most as distance comes into play for scores that are the same).

I pulled the following information from the Bishop Vesey Web site which gives further explanation:-
Entrance Examination

The entrance examination consists of three separate papers. These have been designed to identify the most able candidates and are likely to be very difficult for children of average or below average ability. The three papers are:

Verbal Reasoning: This paper will test pupils' ability to reason and will be of 30 minutes duration, with a practice test of 10 minutes.

Non-Verbal Reasoning: This paper tests the ability of pupils to reason with shapes and symbols, and will be of 35 minutes duration, including some time for practice.

Mathematics: This paper emphasises problem solving skills applying mathematical knowledge appropriate for key stage 2 of the National Curriculum and will be of 50 minutes duration. There is no practice paper.

Each of the questions will have an equal weight and will be standardised to account for age differences in candidates.

The tests are considered to be valid, reliable and fair. It is recognised that parents may wish to help their children. However, it is believed that excessive practice and coaching should be discouraged because it is counter productive. The tests are in the Standard, and not the Multi Choice format.
As with most parents in the Birmingham/West Midlands area, my son did the exam last year as 'practice' for the KE Foundation exam which were 2 weeks later after 1/2 term.

Most of the children in my son's school found the exam to be ok. This has it problems if used a trial for the KE exams however:

True it gives then a formal 11+ exam experience, particularly of large numbers of candidates and a typical NFER type of VR and NVR questions.

The problem is that it's very much easier than the KE exams with much less time pressure - that can lead to a false sense of confidence. It's a close call as to whether there's value in taking the Bishop Vesey Exam just for practice.

Regarding the school, I thought it was really excellent - I would have had no hesitation in sending my son to the school if we lived in the North or East of Birmingham.

Hope this helps.
Guest

Post by Guest »

Thank you for reply - very informative. Although it is a school with entrance sitting of approx 1500 children - not many people discuss it!
Out of interest, how was your son able to use exam as practise if you did not state it as one of your LEA preferences?
KenR
Posts: 1506
Joined: Fri Mar 17, 2006 6:12 pm
Location: Birmingham

Post by KenR »

Hi Guest

Most LEAs (certainly Birmingham) don't inform the school the preferences on the LEA. So there's no problem entering exams even if you don 't intend to out this as one of your choices. Many Birmingham parents do this for the Bishop Vesey and Sutton Coldfield Girls exams coming as they do before the Oct 1/2 term.

Regards
Guest

Post by Guest »

Once again thank you. I was slightly worried about the high number of candidates as appose to places - but it probably is not as bad as it seemed
KE Mum

Post by KE Mum »

I wouldn't worry about the huge numbers, as most don't actually want the school and put it sixth on their preference form. They just use it as practise as already stated. I live on the South side of Birmingham and I don't know of anyone who goes to Sutton, but I know lots and lots of people who made their children sit the test. Out of the 1600 who sit the test, probably 1000 want a KE school, which reduces the odds considerably.

We didn't do the test - I took the view that I didn't want my children stressing about a school I didn't want them to go to.
Post Reply