Reply from Wallington Boys on Exam 11/10 2014 on Maths Error
Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2014 1:59 pm
I hope moderator will allow this, if not, just delete. I am not so sure how this will affect the late sitters too ( or are they done now?). But this is so important, so here goes.
I decided to start a new thread, so that we can focus on the response only, instead of getting lost with all the previous posts, hope that's understandable moderators.
"Letter from the Headmaster of Wallington County Grammar School in response to enquiries about Question 4 in the School’s 2nd Second Stage Entrance Examination.
Wednesday 15th October 2014.
Dear Sir / Madam,
Many thanks for recent enquiries relating to Wallington County Grammar School’s 2nd Stage Entrance Examination.
We are aware that some of the Mathematics papers contained a printing error which meant that some candidates were unable to answer Question 4. This issue was identified by invigilators during Session 1 as candidates who entered through the ‘Gold’ entrance and who sat in the Sports Hall worked through the paper. We immediately gave an instruction to candidates in the Sports Hall not to attempt this question which meant they were then able to concentrate on the other questions. By not answering Question 4 candidates will not be disadvantaged.
The instruction not to do Question 4 was also issued to all candidates who sat the paper in the afternoon, Session 2. Again, candidates will not be disadvantaged.
During Session 1, candidates who entered through the ‘Lilac’ entrance spent time answering Question 4 as all candidates were provided with a complete set of questions. If these candidates have their Question 4 discounted from their final mark to bring parity to the process, they would be placed at a disadvantage because they will have spent time answering it. The School is therefore taking the following steps to ensure that all candidates are given an equal and fair opportunity to pass the 2nd Stage Entrance Examination.
1. We will standardise the scores of the English Paper ensuring that the marks from this paper give an equally weighted contribution to the final outcome of the entrance examination.
2. We will standardise the scores of the Mathematics Paper in two separate sub-groups to ensure that marks from these papers give an equally weighted contribution to the final outcome of the entrance examination. Candidates will have the same chance of obtaining high scores whichever sub-group they are in.
a.) Sub-group 1 = Candidates who spent time answering Question 4.
b.) Sub-group 2 = Candidates who did not spend time answering Question 4
By adding two standardised scores together, firstly the English paper score and then the score from the appropriate Mathematics ‘sub-group’, we will be able to ensure that there is a fair and consistent methodology to determine:
1. Who is deemed to have passed the 2nd Stage Entrance Examination
2. Who will end up securing a place at the School based on our admissions criteria 2015, providing the name of the School has been listed on the Common Application Form (CAF) and is submitted by the deadline of 31st October 2014.
Wallington County Grammar School apologises for the printing errors contained within some of the Mathematics papers. We assure you that we have taken the correct steps to ensure that the process has remained fair, robust and a reliable test of selective ability.
Yours faithfully,
Mr J J Wilden
Headmaster, WCGS"
I am still digesting it, but what do you think?!
I decided to start a new thread, so that we can focus on the response only, instead of getting lost with all the previous posts, hope that's understandable moderators.
"Letter from the Headmaster of Wallington County Grammar School in response to enquiries about Question 4 in the School’s 2nd Second Stage Entrance Examination.
Wednesday 15th October 2014.
Dear Sir / Madam,
Many thanks for recent enquiries relating to Wallington County Grammar School’s 2nd Stage Entrance Examination.
We are aware that some of the Mathematics papers contained a printing error which meant that some candidates were unable to answer Question 4. This issue was identified by invigilators during Session 1 as candidates who entered through the ‘Gold’ entrance and who sat in the Sports Hall worked through the paper. We immediately gave an instruction to candidates in the Sports Hall not to attempt this question which meant they were then able to concentrate on the other questions. By not answering Question 4 candidates will not be disadvantaged.
The instruction not to do Question 4 was also issued to all candidates who sat the paper in the afternoon, Session 2. Again, candidates will not be disadvantaged.
During Session 1, candidates who entered through the ‘Lilac’ entrance spent time answering Question 4 as all candidates were provided with a complete set of questions. If these candidates have their Question 4 discounted from their final mark to bring parity to the process, they would be placed at a disadvantage because they will have spent time answering it. The School is therefore taking the following steps to ensure that all candidates are given an equal and fair opportunity to pass the 2nd Stage Entrance Examination.
1. We will standardise the scores of the English Paper ensuring that the marks from this paper give an equally weighted contribution to the final outcome of the entrance examination.
2. We will standardise the scores of the Mathematics Paper in two separate sub-groups to ensure that marks from these papers give an equally weighted contribution to the final outcome of the entrance examination. Candidates will have the same chance of obtaining high scores whichever sub-group they are in.
a.) Sub-group 1 = Candidates who spent time answering Question 4.
b.) Sub-group 2 = Candidates who did not spend time answering Question 4
By adding two standardised scores together, firstly the English paper score and then the score from the appropriate Mathematics ‘sub-group’, we will be able to ensure that there is a fair and consistent methodology to determine:
1. Who is deemed to have passed the 2nd Stage Entrance Examination
2. Who will end up securing a place at the School based on our admissions criteria 2015, providing the name of the School has been listed on the Common Application Form (CAF) and is submitted by the deadline of 31st October 2014.
Wallington County Grammar School apologises for the printing errors contained within some of the Mathematics papers. We assure you that we have taken the correct steps to ensure that the process has remained fair, robust and a reliable test of selective ability.
Yours faithfully,
Mr J J Wilden
Headmaster, WCGS"
I am still digesting it, but what do you think?!