11+ - again!

12 replies

curlew · 07/10/2006 07:42

Does anyone know very roughly how many questions you have to get right to pass the 11+ in Kent? There's a playground rumour going round that you have to get at least 47 out of 50 on each paper - but that can't be right, surely? Tell me that's not true!!!! We're in the Canterbury side of Kent, btw, not the scary Tunbridge Wells side!

OP posts:

notasheep · 07/10/2006 07:54

goodness i thought the 11+ was scrapped decades ago!

Freckle · 07/10/2006 07:58

Not entirely sure how they mark the papers, but the pass mark is 120, out of 140 I believe. I calculate that that is about 85% of the marks, whereas to achieve 47 out of 50 on each paper gives a pass mark of 94%. I don't think you've been given the right information.

Original poster

curlew · 07/10/2006 08:28

Grrrrrr notasheep. That's what they tell us in Party
Political Broadcasts. Try asking the enraged and stressed out parents of Kent (and a few other places.) They conveniently forget about us!

Thank you freckle - still scary but less scary than playground tittletattle. Are you in the middle of it too?

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Freckle · 07/10/2006 08:31

Yes. Have just done the school selection process online for DS2. Now going through the round of open evenings and mornings. Obviously did all these with DS1 but DS2 wants to see the schools for himself rather than take our word for it!

swedishmum · 07/10/2006 15:18

I was told the mark is 120 too, and then 1st lot looked at for appeals before we even find out is those with 120 in 2 subjects and 117 plus on the third. I too did it with dd 2 years ago but feel more nervous this time as dd is v bright but a bit of a loose cannon.

belleofball · 07/10/2006 15:59

Hi, 11+ s. what a nightmare all this is isn,t it?
I don't know if the Bexley test is the same but we have been told that the pass mark depends on the amount of children taking the test. EG. more children taking test- pass mark is higher.
My son is taking the kent test as well,as we are on the borders.

Freckle · 07/10/2006 17:24

To be honest, that makes sense, doesn't it? After all, there are a finite number of places at grammar schools, so, if more children take the test, they must have some way of reducing the numbers to equal the number of places available. How awful would it be to find out that you'd passed but that there were no places available at a grammar school? Mind you, it might be better for the child's self-esteem to pass but not be offered a place than to be told you'd failed.

notasheep · 07/10/2006 22:30

curlew-so does that mean i could of gone to a different school all those years ago?!

swedishmum · 07/10/2006 23:08

There are unfilled places in Y7 at dd1's grammar school this year - I think people who aren't fairly sure of passing and can't avoid private school don't go for it because they are worried they will end up with a really poor school. There are a few places round here I'd never send dd to.

Original poster

curlew · 07/10/2006 23:47

Where we are, most of the grammar schools have a few unfilled places. The really oversubscribed place is the OK high school. Mind you, one of the other high schools has recently got a new head and is on the up, and I think I would have been reasonably satisfied with it if I hadn't visited a wonderful grammar school right at the beginning of the process.

OP posts:

belleofball · 09/10/2006 12:50

Just visited my last school!! To be honest i've had enough!
My son has got his heart set on a pass school, that his dad went to,not through pressure.We went with an open mind and he absolutely loved it as did my 7yr old(felt like i was showing him round)! I hope ds1 is not disappointed as the choice if you don't pass is a bit dire.

mumblechum · 09/10/2006 14:19

Have you tried looking at www.elevenplus.co.uk/forum? It kept me sane last year and has specific forums for Kent.

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