Standardised scored in Maths and English

[Londonmum07]

My son scored 130 in Maths and 131 in English in a test for a prep school.The school said they were very good marks,he was 8 when he took the test.Does anyone know how good these scores are?

[TheSecondOfHerName]

These scores are significantly above average, but not exceptional.

Primary school standardised scores are not always a predictor of future success. DS1 scored >139 in Maths at the same age. Seven years on, he is going to be lucky if he gets a B in his Maths GCSE this summer.

[Londonmum07]

Thank you, he also got all 5's in his sats at current school in May.That was the end of year 4.I think we may have been mislead a little.

[TheSecondOfHerName]

Level 5s in Year 4 would indicate a very able child. I think I would accept a place at an academically selective prep school and then see what happens.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

The tests are standardised for age, so an average child in his year group would score 100. At prep school they are likely to be CAT tests did he do verbal and non-verbal reasoning too.
They are likely suggest that he goes forward for more academic senior schools.
Schools can be blinded by CAT scores so watch for this DD's dyslexia was missed as she had high CAT scores and when her coping mechanisms no longer worked she was blamed for not trying. Once I got a wider assessment that showed her processing scores the true picture was apparent.

[christinarossetti]

What was the ceiling score on the tests, do you know?

[Londonmum07]

I don't know what the ceiling score on the tests was.They also said his spelling age was 14 years.He have had to write a story which they said was very impressive.

[christinarossetti]

I asked because my dc's school used those type of tests and the top score was 130. I guess they could have assessed above that, but didn't: because that placed the child as 'exceeding expectations'.

Your Dd's scores are very good as you're aware. I'm not quite sure what you're asking?

[balletgirlmum]

My childrens prep school used Incas Tests which have similar scores. 100 was the average with a standard deviation of 20.

Below 80 indicated learning difficulties. 80-119 was average. 120-129 was above average & 130 plus was exceptional.

[teacherwith2kids]

London, I have replied on your other thread. What is your agenda? To jknow what senior schools to aply to? To aopply prtessure to the school in some way? To be able to say 'my child is exceptional' [take care with this - high attainment at this age is not always maintained]? If you can be clearer about what you want from us, we can help?

[LIZS]

Pips/cats? Iirc max score is 141. As they are standardised results they aren't expected to deviate as they get older, beyond tolerance of 5%.

[Londonmum07]

They gave us the impression that his results were VERY good.The school has a great reputation but it would be a big financial commitment for us as it's a boarding school.It sends boys to the top schools but others to less academic schools.We have no experience of these schools so if he was not up to the top schools we would prefer him not to go.I know schools can never give a guarantee to parents.

[teacherwith2kids]

So y are trying to decide whether to move your DS from his current school to a boarding prep, and have given (on separate threads) his 'SATs' results from the end of Y4 from his current private primary and also his 'entrance test' scres for a different prep? Is that right? And would like us to help you to decide whether your DS is 'good enough' to merit the investment in the new school on the basis of these 2 pieces of information, bexcause you only want him to move there if the promise of 'great secondary schools' comes to pass?

[LIZS]

Is is a selective school? If so I'd expect several in each year group to be of that calibre. Even in dc "non selective" one , there were around 20% pupils scoring at that level in either test or all. Whether they go on to match that potential in everyday work is another matter. Many of these went on to get academic scholarships to selective boarding schools at 13 but again the % of those with similar high scores will increase.

[Londonmum07]

The school is selective but it does have a range of abilitiesThey also said my son is a gifted mathematician and he would be part of a maths extension class they have.It's a lovely school and they think he will fit very well.Going this route could mean he could end up in a less academic school than the grammar school his current school sends children to.His headmaster told us he is the most able student he has worked with.But as some mums have said they seem to be using outdated systems so this may mean nothing.He would have to do pre testing for the senior schools next year and his current school has no experience of them so we will need to decide asap.We just want to do the best for him and for him to achieve his best He works very hard and wants to do well.He is very excited at the thought of the top senior schools and like most parents we want him to achieve his goal.
.

[LIZS]

Pre testing usually includes verbal and non verbal reasoning to tight timeframes often online. Some schools use a common test, others their own. The system generates questions according to the pattern of previous answers so they won't all necessarily cover the same questions. In theory it doesn't need specific preparation so he may not be disadvantaged if he stayed put. Even if he moved at Easter, 2 terms aren't likely to make a significant difference. I'd take the comments of the head with a pinch of salt, it reflects more on him and his school than your Ds.

[teacherwith2kids]

So you are tossing up:

• transfer to prep school (when? immediately?) which goes to 13, and sends children to a range of private school destinations.
  
• stay in your current private primary, which prepares children for state grammar schools at 11+?
  

I think the question depends very much on the grammar schools. A very bright child may do exceptionally well in a highly superselective grammar, at least as well [in formal qualification terms] as they would at a selective private secondary

However, if you are in a 'fully grammar school' system e.g. as in Kent, then the grammar school will admit the top 25% or so, and thus have a range of results more similar to a good comprehensive elsewhere, or a relatively nonselective private secondary.

[teacherwith2kids]

(How big, well-known and well-heeled is the prep school, btw? The head wants your DC for their fees, and so you do need to take into account the 'selling pitch' that they are making....)

[Londonmum07]

The schools my son would go for are Winchester and Eton.They also do an interview and ask for a report. The new headmaster would be used to writing these reports his current one wouldn't.We could move him sooner and not do the notice at the current school,if this would help him.

[teacherwith2kids]

Which are the grammars that the current school primarily feeds into?

[Londonmum07]

The grammars his current schools sends them in Essex,I don't know how this compares to the Kent system.

[Londonmum07]

Westcliff High ,Southend High and the very bright ones go to King Edwards in Chelmsford or for girls Chelmsford County High.They have sent a few boys to City of London School as this is a day school.

[Londonmum07]

The main schools for the boarding school are Winchester,Eton,Radley, then some to Harrow,Shetbourne.Stowe and Milton Abbey.

[teacherwith2kids]

And is your priority 'academic attainment' or 'breadth of education'? Top privates do more of the latter, but that may not be important to you.

[Londonmum07]

Yes it is also the breath of education.I feel his current school is very narrow because of the 11plus.My son reads lots of history and science books and lots of his knowledge comes from these rather than school.We went for the tour of Eton for boys and parents,he was able to answer all the questions the master asked over the course of the tour and was so enthusiastic.The admissions man told him at the end " I knew you would suit us straight away".My husband and I feel he may meet more like minded boys at these schools.We didn't go to school in this country so have no first hand knowledge at all.