11 Plus Exams in Gloucestershire
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Contents |
General Information
Important Dates
| Date | Details |
|---|---|
| November 2009 | Verbal Reasoning Exams |
| November 2009 | Results Released |
| March 2009 | National Allocation Day |
Examination Format
| Paper | Subjects | Format | Publisher | # of Questions | Time Allowed | Date Taken |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Reasoning Paper 1 | Verbal Reasoning | Multiple Choice | GL Assessment | 80 | 50 mins | November 2009 |
| Verbal Reasoning Paper 2 | Mathematics | Multiple Choice | GL Assessment | 80 | 50 mins | November 2009 |
The participating grammar schools are:
- Marling School for Boys Stroud
- Stroud Girls’ High School
- Pate’s Grammar School Cheltenham (Co-educational)
- The Crypt School Gloucester (Boys)
- Denmark Road High School for Girls Gloucester
- Thomas Rich’s Grammar School Gloucester (Boys)
- Ribston Hall High School Gloucester (Girls)
Testing takes place in November for year 6 children and is held at the Grammar schools on a Saturday morning.
The two tests are taken on the same day. They are in multiple choice formats where your child indicates their answer from a selection given to them; these are then computer marked. Each test takes around 50 minutes, with a thirty minute break. The second paper is much more challenging than the first
Scoring
Pass mark
Results are posted out around two weeks after the test date, detailing your child’s achievement. Each school has its own method of reporting the results: ranging from giving the child’s position in the rank order of pupils reaching a previously stated pass mark to dividing those who reach the pass mark into five percentiles. It is then possible for you to work out whether your child has a good chance of a place i.e. in the top 120, is likely to be on the waiting list, or has not reached a pass mark.
Each test is allocated a ‘raw’ score. This raw score is the mark actually achieved by your child. This score is then standardised, which means that allowances are made for age, so that all children can be compared equally and the youngest are not at a disadvantage. Once the standardised score of the individual tests are known a combined weighted score is then calculated.
The pass mark varies from year to year and school to school. The lower mark quoted is usually around 212.
A pass mark does not guarantee a place at the chosen school. In the 2008 tests over 200 boys, who sat the test at Marling School, achieved the pass mark of 216+ or higher and there are only 120 places. The situation is similar at the other schools.
Weighting
Standardisation process
The exact formula used to standardise the score is never divulged. But, in simple terms, allowances are made for age so that all children can be compared equally and the youngest are not at a disadvantage.
Question Types
See 21 verbal reasoning question types for more info.
Recommended Practice Materials
- Pate’s Grammar School offer 5 free full length papers downloadable from their website http://www.pates.gloucs.sch.uk/
- Chuckra Educational
- GL Assessment
- The Bright Sparks series by Susan Daughtrey
- IPS
- AFN
Application Procedure
In order for your child to sit the test you must apply directly to your first choice Grammar school, but you can put up to 4 schools on your choices list and the results will be passed on to the other schools. Application must be made by the middle of October in the year of entry. At the beginning of December you are required to make your final selection of schools, which can include selective and non-selective options.
Appeals Process
If, when you receive the results in November, you feel the score does not reflect your child’s ability you can appeal; notify the school of any illness or other problems. The allocation of a school place is in March the following year, and this is when you can start a full appeal to the grammar school of your choice, if there are further mitigating circumstances.
See 11 plus appeals for more info.
Here is an interview with a parent who made a successful appeal.
Grammar / Selective Schools in Gloucestershire
| School | Address | Website | # of Pupils | New Places Available Each Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marling School for Boys Stroud | - | - | - | - |
| Stroud Girls’ High School | - | - | - | - |
| Pate’s Grammar School Cheltenham (Co-educational) | - | - | - | - |
| The Crypt School Gloucester (Boys) | - | - | - | - |
| Stroud Girls’ High School | - | - | - | - |
| Denmark Road High School for Girls Gloucester | - | - | - | - |
| Thomas Rich’s Grammar School Gloucester (Boys) | - | - | - | - |
| Ribston Hall High School Gloucester (Girls) | - | - | - | - |
