Scholarship vs Common Entrance. Should I be annoyed?

[PenultimateEmperor]

Really neither here nor there, but we told my son's prep we'd like him to sit the scholarship for XYZ famous public school.

They said no, he's not sufficiently motivated and he'll likely fail.

CE results came last week and he scored 10 x As and 2 Bs, passed with distinction.

Doesn't this seem a bit like they were hedging their bets at my son's expense? I don't see the point in anyone sitting an exam and getting almost all As when there's a next level up.

There is an enormous difference between CE and Scholarship examinations and expectations.
I don't think there's any point dwelling on it - well done to your son!

Often it’s a different (and harder) paper.

Often it’s a different (and harder) paper.

Well, sure. But why wouldn't he have sat the harder/different paper?

Maybe they thought he wouldn’t have done so well - you can only assume the school did it for the right reason.

If he had done well on the scholarship but not quite enough to get the scholarship then he probably would have got his place anyway. At DS school the vast majority of the scholarship kids came from the lower school anyway.

I guess it depends on how selective “XYZ famous public school” is! The level expected by the most selective is significantly higher than even the highest CE marks. CE is also a lot about regurgitating facts, scholarships for the most selective are looking for much more than that. Lastly years ago we were once told by someone with a lot of experience of scholarships it's also whether or not your DC is prepared to put in the considerable extra effort associated with being successful in say the KS or the election your child may be very very bright but not very studious!
Ultimately there nothing you can do about it unless your senior school offers scholarships once a pupil has started.

If he had done well on the scholarship but not quite enough to get the scholarship then he probably would have got his place anyway.

This is what we realistically were hoping for; every year 10x the number of boys who actually win the scholarship to enter through this route. It's a much more interesting route and probably would have set him in better stead (IMO).

No

My daughter found her scholarship exam easier than the common entrance! Maybe it’s the different structure/questions.

What school?

Perhaps they know that the ones that qualify for the scholarship are getting all As. I know that may seem harsh but it may be the case.

This does not of course detract from your DS's admirable results but it is a possibility

Well done to your son!

In my experience, the scholarship exams are much more niched and requires a lot more than standard revision, especially for the top public schools. There is a lot of "thinking on your feet", especially for the scholarship interview, which someone who is very academic still might struggle with.

Might not be the case with your child, but top grades doesn't automatically mean success in the scholarship process.