11 Plus Exams Forum

Hi Dear Parents,

I am keen to know some statistics of previous years student intake in St. Olaves. As an example their pass percentages and number of children who got "possibly" but finally being selected etc. Does anyone knows any details please? Do they release candidates marks so the other statistics even a later stage?

There are no marks issued as far as I'm aware since it's a pretty useless piece of information beyond being able to rank the entrants. The test is devised with an intention to challenge everyone and very simply the top 120 or so will be the ones to receive a "likely" letter. The number of "possible" letters issued is a function of historic years having regard to the number of "likely" candidates that ultimately chose another school in preference to St Olaves.

For the 2014 batch (exam happened in Sep 2013), there were approx 1020 children who sat for the exam and top 120 got likely which sounds like 1:8 chance.....hmmm sounds good. But there's a catch - most of the children who sat in the exam were top 2 in their respective schools. So you are talking of competing with best of the best.

The key points from headteacher's talk on open day were:
- If your child is not in the top 2 of class.....chances are that he will not make it to the final 120 and may also be stressed after the exam (indirectly saying don't come and waste our time)
- Olave's get a feed from 70 different schools across the country.

So my best guess is that top 120 get a likely letter followed by another 12 to 24 with possibly (to make up for children who go to private schools instead of joining Olave's).

When my Dd was year 6, 3 boys from her class sat the test. One of them was head and shoulders above the rest, he was offered a place but went to Eltham college with scholarship instead. The other 2 boys who passed were not exactly top set material. But they had a great tutor!

My son got "possibly" and finally squeaked in on the third round. However, he is now doing very well indeed. I don't suppose there is that much difference between the top 120 and the next 120 or so - just a matter of a couple of marks.

I think being in the "likely" gives peaceful sleep at night between Oct (results) and March (offer day). "Possibly" is more stressful and based on ifs and else. You may still sneak into but lot depends on where you are in the waiting list and how many "likely" go to other destinations.