Results of CEM tests around the country

[Stressed?Moi?]

To you folk around the country, we are doing the first of the new (for us anyway) CEM test in Gloucestershire on Saturday. I understand that each of the schools will give out "you are in the top 120" letters, but am pretty sure we won't get told our marks outside of this. Does anyone know if it is standard with CEM tests to be given your scores if you are outside this magical 120? Just interested what happens where you are.

[Daogroupie]

There is no link between the CEM and how schools chose to give out the results. It will depend on how many spaces they have and what the dropout rate might be of applicants. HBS just told people they were in the top 500. Latymer gave out letters saying using words like likely or unlikely. They can do what they like basically! DG

[leanmeamum]

Last year Latymer sent out 4 different letters - letters 1 and 2 did not give out ranking.

HBS also did not give out ranking - only told you if you were in top 500 or not

[Stressed?Moi?]

In some ways knowing they aren't in top..... and nothing more isn't too bad. To know they are a couple of points away from the passmark and could still be in with a chance but not knowing until March is a nightmare - you just can't plan.

[JamesDean]

Warks give you a score and various rankings. Then, based on the school's PAN and previous years qualifying scores, you take a guess as to whether your DC qualifies for a place ...

JD

[Stressed?Moi?]

Great, thanks JD - interesting to know the different criteria around the country. It was was much simpler here with the passmarks for each school (higher mark for higher ranking school) and you knew how many points you had. Knowing just one mark you had a reasonable chance but 20 you could just relax and think of different schools. So much better.

[rabbie burns]

In Birmingham you get a score and based on previous cut off scores you have some idea what chance your child has of getting in e.g if last years lowest score allocated at a school was 220 and your child gets 230 you can be fairly confident. If they get 220 it nail biting time and if they get 200 you can pretty much forget it. You then fill in your school form and wait until March! Great fun.

[scary mum]

In Bucks if you score 121 you are considered to have been selected for GS.

[Stressed?Moi?]

In Birmingham you get a score and based on previous cut off scores you have some idea what chance your child has of getting in e.g if last years lowest score allocated at a school was 220 and your child gets 230 you can be fairly confident. If they get 220 it nail biting time and if they get 200 you can pretty much forget it. You then fill in your school form and wait until March! Great fun.

That's sort of OK (except for the March bit!) as you have some sort of idea. Being our first year we have nothing to compare it with, so totally blind. At least it should be better for subsequent years.

[Stressed?Moi?]

In Bucks if you score 121 you are considered to have been selected for GS.

Straightforward - I like that.