Timing of 11+ exams, anyone else prefer the old system?
Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2014 12:51 pm
I have been through the 11+ process twice now - once with dd2 in 2013 for 2014 entry and once with dd1 in 2011 for 2012 entry.
I'm now starting to wonder about after all the excitement parents had about the 'new' system (earlier exams, scores released before CAF entry) if it's really that great after all.
Its failings:
-Schools vary widely in how much information is released. I am only familiar with some schools and know that DAO are stars in this respect with clear and precise information so you know for sure if your child will get a place. But....HBS? Your child is in the top 250 with only 93 (100?) places on offer. WGSG/WGSB - you get a mark which last year might have secured a place. But this year the cut-off was much higher and lots of children were left without places.
-The exams are too early. September is bad enough but some schools are holding their exams in June of Year 5. This means almost a whole year of stress.
-It's hard for children sitting indies to get the momentum up again to sit indie exams in January.
-People say you are wasting a choice on your CAF if you don't know how your child fared in the exam. But is this really a big problem? Even in areas with 4 ranked schools and you put down 2 selective schools for 1 and 2, as long as put down schools you are happy with for 3 and 4, does it matter that much?
When dd1 sat the exams in 2011, she sat for WGSG in November, we put it first on the CAF (I wasn't too hopeful anyway) and we were none the wiser until 1st March. She was allocated her 2nd ranked school as expected but she ended up at an indie. I don't feel I'd 'wasted' a choice, we just had a go and I was happy with my second ranked school.
Information is generally a good thing but it should be helpful and meaningful. And the cost is the stress. Much of that Autumn term was spent waiting for letters/emails with dd's results. Either your child does well enough in the exam to go a particular school or they don't. Half knowing that information beforehand isn't particularly beneficial IMO.
I'm now starting to wonder about after all the excitement parents had about the 'new' system (earlier exams, scores released before CAF entry) if it's really that great after all.
Its failings:
-Schools vary widely in how much information is released. I am only familiar with some schools and know that DAO are stars in this respect with clear and precise information so you know for sure if your child will get a place. But....HBS? Your child is in the top 250 with only 93 (100?) places on offer. WGSG/WGSB - you get a mark which last year might have secured a place. But this year the cut-off was much higher and lots of children were left without places.
-The exams are too early. September is bad enough but some schools are holding their exams in June of Year 5. This means almost a whole year of stress.
-It's hard for children sitting indies to get the momentum up again to sit indie exams in January.
-People say you are wasting a choice on your CAF if you don't know how your child fared in the exam. But is this really a big problem? Even in areas with 4 ranked schools and you put down 2 selective schools for 1 and 2, as long as put down schools you are happy with for 3 and 4, does it matter that much?
When dd1 sat the exams in 2011, she sat for WGSG in November, we put it first on the CAF (I wasn't too hopeful anyway) and we were none the wiser until 1st March. She was allocated her 2nd ranked school as expected but she ended up at an indie. I don't feel I'd 'wasted' a choice, we just had a go and I was happy with my second ranked school.
Information is generally a good thing but it should be helpful and meaningful. And the cost is the stress. Much of that Autumn term was spent waiting for letters/emails with dd's results. Either your child does well enough in the exam to go a particular school or they don't. Half knowing that information beforehand isn't particularly beneficial IMO.