Weald of Kent Grammar School introduce new entrance test alongside 11+

[cleostar]

Weald of Kent Grammar School are introducing a new entrance test to go alongside the Kent test that will be based on curriculum students have covered so far (rather than the 11+ which so many heavily tutor for)

I think this sounds like a good idea to increase equality, what do people think?

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/tonbridge/news/girls-grammar-school-to-introduce-its-own-entry-test-337045/

Hmm … In theory it’s a good thing to have a test based only on what is taught in state primary schools.

In practice this is just a different test that people will tutor for just as much.

Agree entirely with this. If you prepare and practice for any test you will do better. The actual content is largely irrelevant.
The article implies that you can attempt both test formats, but only need to 'pass' one. I would assume this mean that prep will increase for some candidates as parents attempt to prepare them for both.

How will it work? Are they allowed to allocate 30% places to school test and 70% to Kent test.

I agree, pupils will still be tutored, once they know what the new test contains.

"Pupils can take either test, or both, but only need to be deemed grammar-assessed in one."
I think it is the two bites at the cherry option.

I can't see people tutoring for both, especially if you're being tutored for the Weald test for free simply by being in school.

I'm sure those who pay for tutoring will remain focused on the 11+ and use this as a back up option.

At least this gives those who can't afford years of tutoring more of a chance for their children to get into the grammar system.

I dont see why it is any less impacted by tutoring than any other test. It suggests it draws on national curriculum content taught in schools. However, practicing and revisiting this content outside of school will improve a child's marks.

Academic tests that are immune to tutoring and preparation don't exist. The only way of reducing the influence of preparation or tutoring is by making the content very unpredictable. However, this is also problematic for a lot of reasons.

I agree parents will still tutor.
The big advantage I can see is that it mitigates against kids having one bad day and it ruining everything. I've heard too many stories about kids doing really well on practise tests and then panicking/being ill/screwing up on the day. This gives them a second chance.

That’s interesting. Will be interesting to see how that works and if other grammar schools bring in their own. Weald doesn’t require a high pass mark so is often choice 2 for those with bright girls in the area. (You just had to pass and then it’s down to distance). If TGS/TWGGS also bring in their own tests it could get a bit stressful for local girls.

Also wonder when they’re do it, I assume the summer of year 5 so I guess parents will use it as a warm up for the 11+.

I just don't see the point of tutoring for both tests u less you are firmly set on your child attending Weald and Weald only. You may as well just focus on the 11+ which may earn them a place at TOGS or TWGGS, leaving the Weald entry test as a backup.

But hopefully the test will give more local girls a chance to go to a grammar.

If the test is before the summer holidays, then presumably some kids could be spared the hassle of studying in the summer holidays? The biggest downside of the 11 plus is writing that summer off for kids. The stuff is so easily forgotten that if the tests are in September the kids have to work during the summer holidays which is not good.
I think Weald is less competitive and more like a top comp elsewhere and so this may be great for their type of girls.

Also the research shows that less advantaged children go backwards in the summer holidays.
The problem they will have though is that a lot of pushy parents will treat this as a free mock test and how are they funding this extra test?

thres nothing to suggest it’s going to be a significantly different test to the 11+, tutoring for the 11+ would probably cover the Weald test too, so you’d get parents putting their dd in for both.

The cynic in me thinks this might be a way for Weald to cream off some of the girls who might get a TGS or TWGGS score, if they’ve already got a place for Weald, hoping parents will take off the pressure for the main 11+ or even if you’ve already told your dd she’s going to Weald, not want to put a different school for 1st choice when they’ve managed a high enough score for a super selective.

Well yes if they do the test in eg June or early July of year 5 and let the parents know the girls passed early (if that is legal) then plenty may well decide it’s not worth the stress to keep revising over the summer for the Kent test. But it’s probably better for the girls and the choice ultimately rest with the parents. Ore worryingly though if it seems a little anticompetitive, then what will other schools start doing? And eventually the whole point of the Kent test is so that kids only have to do one lot of exams.

Well the Kent test certainly covers maths that isn't taught in year 5.

From what I gather, the test will be shortly AFTER the 11+.

The girls who have been preparing for the Kent test will sit this test as well. This test will take place in September before the results for the Kent test are out so a lot of parents will let their girls sit this test as a backup just in case. The test will still be competitive and it will contain NVR and VR meaning the girls who have been preparing for the Kent test will be the ones who will pass as they will bring the pass score up. Unless I’m missing something.