ISEB scores

[AMagny]

Does anyone have experience applying to schools in the London Consortium group of schools? My DD is currently at an outstanding state school but we were late in preparing her for the ISEB exam. My daughter has done a few mocks on Atom and I’m trying to understand how the scores align with her chances of securing a place. What scores do Queen’s College, Queen’s Gate and More House require?

Have a look at this:

atomlearning.zendesk.com/hc/en-gb/article_attachments/4403026496017/CAT4___Atom_Learning_SAS.pdf

Thanks, the scores are slightly higher than DD is currently achieving.

Guess it’s better to know and manage expectations!

All three schools you are mentioning are not very academic/selective really. I’d be surprised if they require top ISEB marks yo be honest.

Fascinating 🧐 . My daughter got the highest ISEB score in her school, CAT 135 and didn’t get anywhere with SPGS. I think there is a lot of exam performance variation. Some people write well, some are better at computer testing.

Grandjany

Agree with above poster regarding different testing styles. My son suits the traditional style, rather then online. He didn't make the next round for schools who used the computer to cull. I think this needs to be thought about. We got pur first choice which was all paper based I believe.

I will not underestimate any school's selectivity and just keep on practicing and preparing. Please remember ISEB is computer adaptive. It is super important to do first 8-10 questions correctly so computer can then give you harder questions. DCs can do the entire test and feel very happy yet fail to realise that computer actually did not give them the right standard questions. In its first year of implementation (pandemic one) lots of parents were disappointed as their DCs did not cut through the scores needed to even not so selective schools, even though they felt the exam went ok. Most of these DCs did well in other exam style like CEM, or traditional paper.

This makes it really important to put your child through both examination systems. Not just giving them a different day but giving them a different medium of exam. Otherwise you could really mess up your kids chances.

A quick update, despite my worries about scores, my daughter was offered places at all 3 schools - not wait listed either which we are genuinely overwhelmed by. I know they were impressed with her interviews and headteacher letters so seems their position of taking well rounded students is more accurate than I thought.

Obviously they don’t tell you the scores but on any mocks she was scoring around 100-115.

@Grandjany

Fascinating 🧐 . My daughter got the highest ISEB score in her school, CAT 135 and didn’t get anywhere with SPGS. I think there is a lot of exam performance variation. Some people write well, some are better at computer testing.

How do you know your daughter got the highest ISEB score in her school? Your school posts a list of all the children's performance? What school is that?

@JustTryingouthere the ISEBresults last year have given a lot of anomalities or I should say ‘surprises’

There is an interesting thread in here that chalenges the robustness of the algorithm and its capacity to handle the cheer number of applicants.
I have heard through the grapevine that a number of the schools who heavily relied on ISEB results last year as a main test are now having to talk to families about potentially finding another school, very small numbers but nonetheless. Obviously, it works both ways some lucky and others not so much.
Very stressful for all involved

Heads have private conversations and I was told about this. I cannot give you more information. I do plan to get a record of the score from secondary school as it will be good CV data.
The fact is that the system has its imperfections.

@Grandjany

Heads have private conversations and I was told about this. I cannot give you more information. I do plan to get a record of the score from secondary school as it will be good CV data. The fact is that the system has its imperfections.

Ah, I see. That makes sense. Thanks. Yes, as for SPGS, if a student really wants to make a strong application, then they really need to be in the upper 130's/140 range. TA

Well done to your daughter @AMagny! We're (luckily) in the same boat - offers from those three and also Francis Holland RP. After the offer holder events, I'm leaning towards accepting QCL but it's a really tricky decision as they all seem very good schools. Where are you thinking?

FH RP is meant to be very good for US university placement and is probably better serviced for sports.
QCL is a lovely smaller traditional school and university placements tend to be UK.

Thank you ARBMum, and you your daughter! We’re leaning towards QCL. It’s a very special school, both historically and from a cultural perspective. We’re from Canada so the American university angle isn’t of interest, if anything, I’d be very proud for her to attend McGill like I did, but a scholarship to any good university would be a bonus.

I didn’t get the impression FH was better on sports. QC lists a wider selection of clubs and includes activities like volleyball and athletics. From looking at the FH website they may have a stronger music programme, while my DD benefits from playing violin and is keen to learn the piano, it’s not a focus area.

I attended the virtual open house for both FH’s but they didn’t feel like a good fit and I was put off by things the heads said. I really like the feel of QC, the head is fantastic and the offer letter was exceptional.

We attended the offers evening last week and it affirmed my position. We’re just waiting for national offers day tomorrow before making our final decision.

That’s so interesting what you said about the Heads. We (and my daughter) thought exactly the same. My daughter loved Mr Tillett. The FH heads seemed quite arrogant in comparison.

@Grandjany why would it be good CV data?

An exceptionally high ISEB score is rare so it would be good on a CV in the same way as a scholarship or music/LAMDA distinction

Honestly, @Grandjany, no-one is going to care about an exam you took at 11 or 13, either you carry on being exceptional and that shows in things that do matter, like the class of your degree, or you don't and it is completely irrelevant.

I don't really care about anything before an applicant's latest qualification - truly exceptional candidates have more substance to write in their CV. I would think you'd been scraping the barrel if you had to go back that far in your academic career!

And then so much discussion and parents making decision based on the head who is leaving???? The incoming head of FHRP is great and brought positive changes in the school from where she is coming. It was good that she was present in the Congratulation morning so we all could know her better.

Hi all, we’ve just got a place for TIffin grammar and are trying to decide between it and an independent school. We know very little about Tiffin as we never visited the school and there isn’t much information on their website. Has anyone got any experience with making that decision? Any information is really appreciated.Thanks

What an odd contribution ’LovingDiscussion’?!

The heads impression at FHSQ and FHRP in Sept-Oct were so strong it resulted in us not applying to either, despite them being at the top of our initial list.

Unfortunately, we weren’t informed during the open house that the FHRP head was leaving, I imagine not to worry prospective parents.

The views and leadership style of the two heads didn’t match ours. IMO, just like a CEO, the Head sets the tone for the school; first, second and third impressions matter. Maybe I would have warmed to the incoming head, maybe not.

But what value does your comment add? You contributed to a conversation you clearly didn’t think warranted discussion and repeated again that the new head FHRP is great.

I’m pleased you like her. I and another contributor preferred QC’s head.

I hope your DD has a wonderful time at FHRP.

Could you possibly tell me that mock test your DD do? Atom? or BOFA? Thank you