11 Plus Exams Forum

Just this... My DC sat a test for Belmont last week and a couple of children (who sat King Alfred’s School a day or teo before) commented after the test how the comprehension was exactly the same. Thought it was a fluke, but then a few children in their school (who sat King Alfred’s) confirmed.

How is it even possible? Considering how fast paced the CEM test is - surely it is a big advantage to someone if they had read EXACT same text (and possibly questions!!!) just a couple / few days prior?!

Sorry you have not had any responses. I am not familiar with Belmont but King Alfreds is not selective, stating that they take a mixed ability intake at 11+, but that is no consolation if Belmont IS selective (is it?). Are you sure they used CEM? I could not see any reference to it on the KA website? Either way it is of course lazy and somewhat annoying. Several years ago the GDST consortium used a comprehension piece that had been used in a chain of prep schools as their last 'prep' test only days earlier. Despite my fury (it was DD2's year) the intake did not change,I assume the schools, alert to the leakage, made appropriate adjustments at interviews. I was certainly aware of a DD who was asked if she had seen the paper already at that stage, so they were wise to it. I suggest you call the school and ask.

Thank you, Mad?

Yes, Belmont is selective (more so in the last few years) and yes, super annoying! No mentioning of CEM on King Alfred’s site, but says “computerised assessment” and Belmont is CEM. Does it mean CEM provided identical tests to different schools?!

Wonder if the rest of the test was the same as well... Haha They had interviews on the day of the exam, so that’s it. Maybe the school will discount the weight of the comprehension in the total score (although this would be unfair to those who did well and have NOT seen the text before).

Wonder if the school realised it by now.

Almostover wrote:Thank you, Mad?

Yes, Belmont is selective (more so in the last few years) and yes, super annoying! No mentioning of CEM on King Alfred’s site, but says “computerised assessment” and Belmont is CEM. Does it mean CEM provided identical tests to different schools?!

Wonder if the rest of the test was the same as well... Haha They had interviews on the day of the exam, so that’s it. Maybe the school will discount the weight of the comprehension in the total score (although this would be unfair to those who did well and have NOT seen the text before).

Wonder if the school realised it by now.

Well, if you haven't alerted them to the issue and nor has any other parent whose DC reported it to them, then possibly not?

ToadMum wrote:

Almostover wrote:
Wonder if the school realised it by now.

Well, if you haven't alerted them to the issue and nor has any other parent whose DC reported it to them, then possibly not?

You're, of course, right, ToadMum. I do feel icky contacting the school though (sigh)