Chances at appeal

[Stressedoutbigtime]

Hi this is my first time hopefully I'll keep to the rules..
My ds didn't pass the 11+ no real reason just a bad day at the office ht has said never had a bad result from any test papers solid grammar etc etc.. Our appeal us coming up soon and I'm falling apart!
Ds scores were verbal 140 maths 129 nvr 106! Apparently he missed 7 questions in the middle of the paper doesnt remember says he thought answered all the questions.. ht is coming with us says has plenty of evidence pass tests etc, ht had a look through resent sats says all 5a's. Is it ok to go to an appeal with no real reasons as to why ds didn't pass? Is this a weak case or doesn't that matter?
Plead help ;(

[Looking for help]

Can you let us know what area you are from and what the passmark for your school was? The closer you are to the cutoff, the less you need to explain in terms of non qualification. It looks to me as if the scores are very good, apart from the NVR, I would focus on why there should be a dip there, and also get as much academic evidence as possible as to why your son is of grammar school ability. Good luck

[Stressedoutbigtime]

Hi West Kent area they need 360 over all but not to drop below 117 on any one paper.. His aggregate score is 375, this is the problem there wasn't any reason not overly anxious , not ill nothing untoward happened around that time , on the practice the day before he scored 127, just that everyone seems to have a reason why it went wrong on the day!

[Looking for help]

, just that everyone seems to have a reason why it went wrong on the day!

And I guess that's what you're up against. You have a really good aggregate score then, way above the passmark. I would think you need to come up with a reason as to why NVR is a problem, and with maths being good, it may be difficult to explain. So gather as much evidence as you can especially in maths as to why your son is grammar school ability. Does your primary do CAT scores that show his ability?

[Stressedoutbigtime]

No our school doesn't do CATS, the ht says she has plenty of evidence as to his ability I just can't find anyone on here who's had a similar case.. Thank you for your help

[Looking for help]

I think Etienne will be along with specific help, if you need it, and good luck, I know that some areas are light on the ground with experiences. I'm not from your area, so can't give any particular relevant advice, but there are some members from Kent, who may have some help they can give. i do know how horrible the process is, though, if it helps

[Etienne]

Apparently he missed 7 questions in the middle of the paper doesnt remember says he thought answered all the questions..

Was this the NVR paper? If so, you have a possible explanation.

ht is coming with us

Good!

says has plenty of evidence pass tests etc, ht had a look through resent sats says all 5a's.

It helps if there is wide-ranging evidence. See: http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeal ... cation#b11" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Have you read through all the Q&As? They start here:
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/appeals/general" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Stressedoutbigtime]

Hi Etienne yes it was NVR paper that he missed 7 questions, yes I have looked through the Q&A but as ds doesn't remember missing any questions, says hd answered them all I don't have a valid reason apart from a blip! ;(

[Redsnapper]

Have you viewed his paper? i'm sure you can, might give you a chance to see what happened.
Also don't forget to build you case as to why you need the school... does it have a specialism that suits or county level sport or an orchestra?... give a good reason why its got to be there and no where else.

[magwich2]

Are you able to go and look at his actual paper (we are in Warwickshire). It might help you find an explanation if, say, all the missed questions were on one page or something like that or if the scores were not added up correctly.
You could also find an educational psychologist who was able to administer the CAT tests and give you a report for the appeal panel. Not cheap though. Sometimes senior schools will do CATs as part of the admissions process so you might find it worth looking into that.
Could you put him in for another 11+ as a late entrant (saying you are moving to the area or choose an area where there is no residence qualification but where they do do NVR - KES in stratford upon avon springs to mind - hopefully he would do well and you would then be able to present that score to the appeal panel.
Good luck anyway