Materials/docs can be used to prove academic ability

[effort]

I am preparing materials for potential appeal. Can you please give me some advice on what kind of materials/documents that I can present to the panel to prove academic ability? Thanks!

[Etienne]

Welcome to Appeals!

See: 4d.

[effort]

Thanks, Etienne.
I found section B11, https://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appea ... cation#b11" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, and Section B12, https://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appea ... cation#b12" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, are very helpful.
I am just wondering whether it is a good idea to present the scores from 11+ mock exams. My son scores very good in a few mock exams from June to August, but not that good in the actual exam due to an incident and maybe other factors.

[anotherdad]

Two problems with that approach. Firstly, the panel will have no idea what conditions the mocks were sat under so the results are meaningless. Secondly, these tests aren't supposed to be prepared for. I know almost everyone does but that's not really the point. Do you really want to highlight that your son didn't qualify despite tuition and mock testing? It's not a good message.

[Etienne]

Thanks, Etienne.
I found section B11, https://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appea ... cation#b11" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, and Section B12, https://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appea ... cation#b12" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, are very helpful.
I am just wondering whether it is a good idea to present the scores from 11+ mock exams.

No, I don't think so.

• • Also on point 4 re mocks. In our area the school will not do mocks, the only option is to do them privately and most mocks are run by tutoring exams. They are in exam conditions and we do get a summary on how your child did relative to the cohort.

    But surely the cohort wasn't exactly the same as the cohort that sat the real test.
    
    

    Are you saying private mocks are not a good source of evidence?

    That would be my opinion - and I think it is likely to be the view of the appeal panel. I certainly never sat on a panel that was interested in - or gave any weight to - the result of a private 'mock'.
    It ought to give you some idea of your son's ability, but I cannot see why an appeal panel would accept the result as a valid alternative score when it has no official status.
    
    In my view a 'mock' could be useful in replicating 11+ test conditions, so that the real experience is then less daunting.
    However, I would keep very quiet about tutoring and mocks at an appeal. You don't want the panel thinking "He had all that extra help and preparation, and still didn't qualify?"
    

    What do you mean by official mocks?

    I assume this mock was in no way recognised or endorsed by the grammar school or Local Authority.
    
    Even official 11+ scores from other grammar schools might carry no weight with an appeal panel because the non-identical cohorts would result in different standardisation.
    
    
    https://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/forum ... on#p663351" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[effort]

Hi anotherdad and Etienne,
That is my worry. Your detailed reply now cleared my mind. Much appreciated.