ISEB common pre-test (yr6) - westminster just announced adopting it - is anyone familiar with it?

[Michaelahpurple]

Westminster School have just announced that they are adopted ISEB's common pre-test for their pre-selection testing at year 6 for conditional 13+ places. It is apparently computerised. Uptil now I had been assuming my son would be taking the traditional exam, including a normal comprenhension.
As it is "common" presumably it is a product other schools have been using for a while. Does anyone know which schools? Or have any idea how one tests English in a computerised format?

It is produced by the ISEB, a fairly new invention, but designed so that children do not sit multiple exams at multiple schools, instead results can be shared between senior schools that wish to use the test.

It is an adaptive test in VR, NVR, English and Maths.

I am really puzzled about how English is examined in these formats, particularly having watched him being trained to write 8 line comprehension answers all term, as our school prepared for the previous test. VR and NVR lend themselves well.

At least I can stop worrying for a while about his dreadful handwriting!

If its anything like the other adaptive tests, for english the screen rolls and the children have to correct spelling, punctuation, grammar etc. They find it quite hard as the screen rolls and they can't go back and check anything. I think the aim is to have a test for potential, rather than what a child has been trained to do. Eton's test (and I think also Marlborough and Wellington), for example, is such that you can't prepare for it, it adapts to the answers given (gets easier and harder), so no child has any idea how they've done and there is time pressure (questions diappear after a period of time). It levels the playing field as tutoring for exam technique etc is unnecessary and undesirable. However the DC I know who have done the Eton test find it hard but fun.

I think a common test that all schools agree on which means DC don't have to sit numerous entrance tests has to be a good thing.

Totally agree that the multiple testing is a bore. The whole pre-test thing is a bit of mess I think, straggling from November of year 6 well into year 7, so anything that streamlines it should be good.

Thanks 09870987 for comments on English - that makes sense

Harsh if they have a bad day!

go on the ISEB website for more info. The tests take into account a child's age

I think this is a great idea. With one test, taken at junior school, a child could sit for any number of schools whilst only being aware of trying for one. This takes the pressure off them and avoids the awful loss of confidence that rejection by a school can cause.
So far I only know of Westminster signing up to the ISEB Common Pre-test. Does anyone know of any other schools who are using this test?

St Paul's has just adopted the ISEB Common Pre-test too. Apparently they are just too overwhelmed with applicants, so they will use this system as a filter, so boys won't get an interview unless they perform well in the test. Those selected for interview will also sit a short test in Maths and English just before.