Exceptionally high scores due to exceptional cohort

[Sarmum]

Hi all,

Having missed out on Kegs OOC with a score of 364.59, I have been analysing the CSSE results of boys over the last three years.

The OOC cut off for KEGS is 374, WHSB 345, and SHSB 342. Two major factors has pushed the cut off scores higher:

1. High scores above 351 due to high ability cohort

From data available on what do they know, number of boys scoring above 351 has almost doubled for 2019 entry compared to 2018 and 2017 entry

2017 entry. 2018 entry. 2019 entry

Number of boys >351 215 272 448

Number of boys sat the test. 2569. 2900. 2937

There’s not a very large increase in numbers sitting the test, but numbers scoring highly has increased significantly.

2. Number of IC passes of boys have increased.

2017 entry 2018 entry 2019 entry

Number of Southend IC boys passed. 211 241 289

Well done to the Southend priority area boys. While there are 365 places for IC boys between WHSb and SHSB, it still leaves 76 places for OOC boys. This unfilled IC places have been 154 for 2017 entry and 124 in 2018 entry.

2017 entry. 2018 entry. 2019 entry

WHSB+SHSB
OOC places 76+154=230 76+124=200. 76+76=152
(Reserved places
plus unfilled places)


With 448 boys scoring above 351 and the limited OOC places, it is now apparent why many of us haven’t been offered our preferred choices. Let’s hope to see how the waiting list moves in two weeks. I suppose the same reasons holds true for girls as well.

[Proudmumregardless]

Well done to the kids who got in. Sounds like a bright year or an easier test this time around!

[Sarmum]

Wonder why it doesn’t appear in the same format I type. Let me make it clear.


Number of boys >351
2017 - 215
2018 - 272
2019 -448


Number of boys sat the test.
2017 - 2569.
2018 - 2900
2019- 2937


Number of IC passes of boys have increased.


Number of Southend IC boys passed.
2017 211
2018 241
2019 289

Unfilled places WHSB+SHSB
2017 154
2018 124
2019 76

OOC places reserved
KEGS 30
WHSB 46
SHSB 30
Total 106

OOC places Available
WHSB+SHSB+KEGS
OOC places
(Reserved places
plus unfilled places)

2017: 106+154=260
2018: 106+124=230
2019: 106+76=182

From what do they know information, 775 OOC boys have scored above 330 in the 2019 entry exam.

With 182 OOC places (kegs whsb and shsb) and 128 CRGS places, 310 places has been allocated. We have 448 boys scoring above 350 (IC including).

Let the experts study this further and have their say.

[Sarmum]

I ordered the paper as my DS was super excited to see what I would score. It was the hardest maths paper ever, with English comparable to previous years. Definitely a very able cohort.

[Wontsleeptonight]

It doesn't work like that. If the cohort are exceptional this will all be adjusted for during a normal standardisation, so they fiddle with all the raw scores so that the distribution and mean are the same as prior years.

This year they did that but then (for arguement's same and to simplify) added 5 to every score. This is why we see plenty more scoring above X points than we did before.

This is why the traffic light guidance is not very helpful this year.

Sorry to those children and parents who have been misinformed. It must be a stressful time, I hope you get places on the waiting list.

[DSDSDD]

You’re forgetting the impact of age-standardisation.

[failingtopass]

Well done to the kids who got in. Sounds like a bright year or an easier test this time around!

Trust me .. this time round the test especially the maths was much harder...! See the comments after the exams. I think the OOC children did really really well. The SOUTHEND children also did well.

Finally thanks for the original poster for providing and analysing the results. I'm a geek for stats!

[failingtopass]

Any chance op you can do the same for the girls...?

[Proudmumregardless]

Well done to the kids who got in. Sounds like a bright year or an easier test this time around!

Trust me .. this time round the test especially the maths was much harder...! See the comments after the exams. I think the OOC children did really really well. The SOUTHEND children also did well.

Finally thanks for the original poster for providing and analysing the results. I'm a geek for stats!

Even bigger congratulations then!

[Sarmum]

Here is the analysis of girls data


Number of girls>351
2017 - 243
2018 - 217
2019 -329


Number of girls sat the test.
2017 - 2331
2018 - 2482
2019- 2698



Number of Southend IC girls passed.
2017 204
2018 241
2019 262

Unfilled places WHSG+SHSG
2017 69
2018 32
2019 11

OOC places reserved
WHSG 46
SHSG 45
Total 91

OOC places Available
WHSG+SHSG
OOC places
(Reserved places
plus unfilled places)

2017: 91+69=160
2018: 91+32=123
2019: 91+11=102

From what do they know information, 635 OOC girls have scored above 330 in the 2019 entry exam.

With 102 OOC places (WHSG+SHSG) and 192 CRGS places, 294 places has been allocated. We have 329 girls scoring above 350 (IC including).

110 more girls have scored above 351 in 2019 entry compared to 2018 entry, and only 11 unfilled Southend IC places are available, which has increased the cut offs for girls.