AQE Exam Results

sniffy_2

ni-mum wrote: »

The child with the best mark I've heard has a January birthday and one of the worst was born in August.

I know of at least 3 children who scored 120-123 who were all June birthdays. At my son's school the older children didn't do as well as the younger children despite having having really high scores in their practice papers. I really don't know anymore what to think but most people I have spoken to expected their child's score to be higher.

Ex-Spendaholic

Spoke to Methody this afternoon. They wouldn't be drawn on scores but said that they advise people to put down their first couple of preferences but also to put a couple down as backup.

For anyone interested they are doing tours tomorrow and Friday but you need to ring and book this.

JosieJoBelfast

Had my interview and the teacher's were as helpful as they could be. Have taken form with me to consider further.

The advice that he had been given by some our local grammars, MCB, Vic, H'house, Friends and Wallace was make sure you put both your aspirational and realistic options.

The majority choices in our school he advised seem to be - MCB, Vic & Hunterhouse for girls and for the boys Methody, RBAI/Grosvenor and Campbell (big mini rugby scene in our primary and choices being made on these). So making me hum and hah about whether to put Lisburn schools first (Wallace or Friends) or Methody......

something to ponder over a glass of wine tonight....:)

AKA3

sniffy wrote: »

I know of at least 3 children who scored 120-123 who were all June birthdays. At my son's school the older children didn't do as well as the younger children despite having having really high scores in their practice papers. I really don't know anymore what to think but most people I have spoken to expected their child's score to be higher.

This mirrors my experience. March onwards and particularly June/May children have outperformed very able older children. A concern if you have 2 children with raw scores of 112 and one has been awarded a disproportionately high adjustment. Grades have probably hidden this before. I'm not questioning the issue of adjustment but question the validity if this is a new test without a population norm to adjust against but rather only a group who decided to take the test. I would be interested in the range of additional marks other children received and the statistical validity of applying this adjustment in this circumstance. In traditionally oversubscribed schools this maybe very relevant for the 112 example. If there is no issue with the methods this would be reassuring.To date in real life practices raw scores ranked pupils and therefore it is understandable that many including teachers are a little surprised with the newer rank orders - I acknowledge this maynot be common to all.

portrushdad999

would just like to add that it doesnt matter how many schools you place on transfer form and in addition i am lead to believe that where you place schools in order is only relevant for your preference and not the schools. For example if your first choice turns you down your second choice must treat you as a first choice and so on.... not sure if this correct maybe someone from the education boards can confirm....however if it is true then just list your schools in original order of preference and let the boards work it out maybe that it is why it takes more than three months to allocate places!!!!!!! By the way this was the approach that we took.

rolo1_2

portrushdad999 wrote: »

would just like to add that it doesnt matter how many schools you place on transfer form and in addition i am lead to believe that where you place schools in order is only relevant for your preference and not the schools. For example if your first choice turns you down your second choice must treat you as a first choice and so on.... not sure if this correct maybe someone from the education boards can confirm....however if it is true then just list your schools in original order of preference and let the boards work it out maybe that it is why it takes more than three months to allocate places!!!!!!! By the way this was the approach that we took.

Yes that is correct. Choose your schools in rank order of choice. If your child does not score high enough for the first choice, they will be offered a place in 2nd, 3rd, 4th etc choices before a lower scoring child who has chosen that school as thier 1st choice. I Trust that makes sense!!. That is why it is so important to stick with your prefered list - The clearing system cannot discriminate.

relax_2

I do in fact have a child going throught the process(no offence taken). I apologise if you felt I was unfeeling but I was merely trying to point out that our children did the best with the system they were faced with and that no amount of posturing and dithering (no offence) will change anything now. I filled in the selection form today- I put down the choice of schools my child preferred (with parental input) mindful of the information gathered at open days and from the principal of the Primary school. As previously stated, the only sure fire way your child will not be accepted is if you don't apply. I am now leaving this and any other forum to enjoy life with my children and will worry (if necessary) in May. Until then with the best will in the world I can do no more.
P.S. You do not have to put a secondary school on the form but why leave anything to chance. You need to be in control of all choices open to your child. Also the school must indeed treat your choice in the same way no matter where you put it on the form.
Sorry to have cause a rant but Good Luck all!

minto5

Confused-dad wrote: »

I may be able to clear things up a bit, I've been told if you use this formula you can work out if your child will get into their first choice school.

Take their score and multiply it by the quintile group they where placed then divide that by the month they were born, you then divide this number by the number of children who took the test in their class multiply this by the number of places available in their first choice school and then add 3.1467, convert this to a percentage or grade and cross your fingers until May.

I may be stupid lo,l but how do you convert the answer to a percentage.

I am e-mailing the AQE now - as wisely directed !!!!!

kingston_2730

I emailed AQE last night as someone on here suggested and got a very standard but prompt reply back this morning. They are sticking to the guidelines re banding that they have already published and are unwilling/unable to give anything further. Unfortunately my son's mark is one of the ones that is borderline and open to different interpretations by different grammar school principles so it is literally going to be nail biting all the way to the end for us. Can I just say that those of you whose children have marks of 110+, you really should not be worried as that really is a top class mark and IMHO will undoubtably be an A.

Mum_of_three_2

Any comments on GL Assessment. My daughter is an older child but seems to be heavy penalised!