Disappointing CAT result

[smorgasbord]

My daughter scored 115.

Please reassure me that she still has a chance of grammar! I know Pate's is now out of the question, unfortunately.

Thank you.

[DC17C]

My daughter scored 115.

Please reassure me that she still has a chance of grammar! I know Pate's is now out of the question, unfortunately.

Thank you.

It is still an above average score....you have nothing to lose by letting your dc take the test...if that is something they want to do...just make sure you ask for results to be shared with all the schools you really are interested in.....and have a back up plan as well....

[smorgasbord]

Thank you.

We went to open evenings of all of the grammars that accept girls, and Pate's was the one she really liked. I was hoping she had a chance, but it seems not with a score of 115. I don't think she was having an off-day during the testing, but even her teachers have mentioned Pate's over the last year or so. I'm being up-beat for her though.

[Eccentric]

Others will know better than I but I don't think that CATs and Grammar entrance tests necessarily relate. My daughter failed her 11+ but has always scored maximum in CATs.

[DC17C]

Thank you.

We went to open evenings of all of the grammars that accept girls, and Pate's was the one she really liked. I was hoping she had a chance, but it seems not with a score of 115. I don't think she was having an off-day during the testing, but even her teachers have mentioned Pate's over the last year or so. I'm being up-beat for her though.

I would not get too set on one school when it comes to the grammars they are all good schools my daughter has just finished Yr 11 at Ribston and has some great GCSE results and has had a fabulous time at the school.... you just won’t know what your options are until you have a set of test results in front of you.....

[Guest55]

My daughter scored 115.
Please reassure me that she still has a chance of grammar! I know Pate's is now out of the question, unfortunately

One test on its own tells you very little. If her teachers think she is capable then I would say that's more reliable.

[Amber]

My daughter scored 115.

Please reassure me that she still has a chance of grammar! I know Pate's is now out of the question, unfortunately.

Thank you.

Personally I have found CATs to be highly unreliable as a predictor of future success. In some areas of the country these tests are done more than once, even more than twice, and for some DC the results differ wildly each time, which rather casts doubt on their reliability as measures of fixed intelligence (which is another debate). I know a child who got a below average CAT in the quantitative measure, and was set accordingly (this was at primary school), in the expectation that the DC was going to struggle with Maths. Some years later this same child attained top grades at early (taken at 14 because of school policy for top set) GCSE, FSMQ and A level Maths, which given the supposed CAT, wasn't going to happen. Equally I have taught a few children who scored 141 on all 3 CATs and who certainly did not live up to that headline promise, failing to grasp concepts which those with lower scores clicked onto easily. So, firstly, they are not everything, I can assure you.

Secondly, the tone of your posts - 'being up beat for her' - is rather sad: it is only a silly snapshot test! I have never shared my children's CAT scores with them, ever, nor assumed they would limit them or predict glory. If you really want her to go to Pates, then I am sure it is not 'out of the question' (and whether that is 'unfortunate' is also a matter of opinion - there are lots of other schools). If your heart is set on grammar school then presumably she is being prepared in some way for the 11+ and it is advisable to make sure that she knows that success is not guaranteed and she may end up going to one of several schools. That is the same for everyone who does it.

Relax, really.

[Flash]

Don't be disheartened - that's a good score.

My DD and DS scored 119 and 117 in their CATs and are now flying at hsfg and str and they weren't excessively tutored for the 11+.

[Eccentric]

My daughter scored 115.

Please reassure me that she still has a chance of grammar! I know Pate's is now out of the question, unfortunately.

Thank you.

Personally I have found CATs to be highly unreliable as a predictor of future success. In some areas of the country these tests are done more than once, even more than twice, and for some DC the results differ wildly each time, which rather casts doubt on their reliability as measures of fixed intelligence (which is another debate). I know a child who got a below average CAT in the quantitative measure, and was set accordingly (this was at primary school), in the expectation that the DC was going to struggle with Maths. Some years later this same child attained top grades at early (taken at 14 because of school policy for top set) GCSE, FSMQ and A level Maths, which given the supposed CAT, wasn't going to happen. Equally I have taught a few children who scored 141 on all 3 CATs and who certainly did not live up to that headline promise, failing to grasp concepts which those with lower scores clicked onto easily. So, firstly, they are not everything, I can assure you.

Secondly, the tone of your posts - 'being up beat for her' - is rather sad: it is only a silly snapshot test! I have never shared my children's CAT scores with them, ever, nor assumed they would limit them or predict glory. If you really want her to go to Pates, then I am sure it is not 'out of the question' (and whether that is 'unfortunate' is also a matter of opinion - there are lots of other schools). If your heart is set on grammar school then presumably she is being prepared in some way for the 11+ and it is advisable to make sure that she knows that success is not guaranteed and she may end up going to one of several schools. That is the same for everyone who does it.

Relax, really.

I agree with Amber CATs are not a good indicator. My personal opinion is that a work ethic, persistence and the understanding that if at first you don't succeed you need to try and try again is the best indicator of success regardless of whether your child attends a GS a comp or an Indie.

[Octsmum]

It's early days yet...

Gloucestershire grammars all sit the same test so there is nothing to lose. Like others have said share your results with all schools. I'd keep your options open & not favour any one particular school over another one at this time. The test & results are a whole year away & a lot can happening that time. One thing to bear in mind is that you might qualify for other Gloucestershire grammars but not for Pate's. For Pate's you need to achieve a particular level in each section of the test (VR, Maths & Non VR). A wobble on the day itself might mean you don't qualify for Pate's but you do for the others.

Hope that helps.