Handsworth Grammar Test

[Dr Jalal]

Just wondering if anyone's son had sat the Handsworth Boys Grammar Test yesterday. My son found it easy and managed to finish all the questions in the allocated time. The VR questions (50 minutes) were all of the Nelson NFER type and he found them to be quite straight forward. The Maths Paper (30 minutes) was a little more challenging and had a greater variety of questions than the Bishop Vesey and KEG exams (to be expected though, as the school is a specialist Maths College).

Personally I feel that both BV and KEG tests should include an element of essay writing in their respective tests as this would clearly demonstrate which children had a flair for writing and those that know how to use their vocabulary in the correct context....does anyone agree or disagree?

[Dibble]

...
Personally I feel that both BV and KEG tests should include an element of essay writing in their respective tests as this would clearly demonstrate which children had a flair for writing and those that know how to use their vocabulary in the correct context....does anyone agree or disagree?

From a selfish point of view I should agree with you. Though merely a 'reasonable candidate' in the 11plus exams my son's persuasive and creative writing is outstanding. It also seems ridiculous to not test ability in a skill which is so essential throughout the rest of the child's education.

In the end though I can't see how to make it meaningful and fair. How do you stop candidates, perhaps with no actual talent in this area, memorizing a few likely essays and crowbarring them into whatever question gets asked?

Personally I'm much more inclined to grammar tests that favour specific test preparation to the least extent possible. I'm particularly alarmed by the subject you say Handsworth grammar set – predictable, or what


I do hope that your son's enjoying the 11plus experience and that, whatever the results, everything works out for the best.

[Guest]

Dr Jalal

After reading your post I am concerned that you are giving too much info on the test for people who are going for the second round. Dont you think another person would have an unfair advantage over your son now. After all, people will now practice the letter writing and may pass and as a consequence your son may be pushed below the list of high scoring pupils.

I do not mean to be so blunt but any detailed information gives other people a greater advantage.

Regards

[Dr Jalal]

Thanks to the Guest writer who has pointed out my glaring mistake regarding too much information about the exam. I notice that my original post has been amended.

Sorry!!

[Pi]

To Guest and Dr Jallal, I don't think too much info has been given away. The foundations know that people either communictae via playground meetings school or internet to gain an insight to the exam questions. The foundations are more than prepared for the second round, and therefore must have different tests and format. Look back on our experiences when taking resits in O and A levels, the retakes were never the same and the questions still as difficult. I shouldn't worry too much about giving out info. I did the same after my son's KEG test on the 4th, the resits are today for all of them, the tests will be different and no matter what has been posted about the test from 4th Nov, the kids tonight will say that it was either hard or easy......

Lets wait and see.


Thanks

Pi

[si155]

hi, unfortunately my son failed the grammer tests. he and i are both devastated. he is a bright boy and somehow didnt do he best on the day. i heard something over the weekend on the weekend that has given me a little hope. they were saying due to the poor level of candidates this year , there will be another test for entry in september 2011. maybe i misheard or wishful thinking on my part. can someone enlighten me please.thnx