Support Thread for parents of children sitting the AQE /GL Transfer Test in 2012

aqeworrier

Just wondering does anyone know, from AQE themselves or from their schools, whether or not in the real AQE tests, the children get awarded half marks for the questions with (a) and (b) parts where they get say part (a) right but not part (b)? When my DD's school are marking tests, even if they get part (a) right but part (b) wrong, they give them zero marks for the whole question, just wondering is this correct as I see it as unfair when they have part of it right ? I'm talking about the questions where there are separate questions (a) and (b) and/or (c) within one question but they each require working out separately and a separate answer. When doing tests at home, I've always given her a half mark if she got half of it right but maybe I'm wrong. Any views on this?

alphaomega_2

As a full time working mother of 3 children I would not have time to spend with my children as other parents do. For example, someone who works part-time (in a non stressful job) and has only one child is more likely to be more patient and have more time to explain things to their children than the likes of me. Therefore, I am happy to pay for a tutor to do things I don't have time to do, as I think it creates a level playing feild. Also, I have worked in Education for many years and it is my experience that children of low intellectual ability will usually not do particularly well in the Transfer no matter how much they are tutored. It is also my experience that very bright children can also do poorly in the exams. Children of parents who are prepared to enter their children for these exams and pay for tutoring are usually likely to push their children to do well academically and the success of grammar schools in league tables may reflect this. Of course children who don't do the Transfer and are not tutored can also do extremely well in examinations, however, it is entirely acceptable for parents to do what they need to do in order to maximise their child's chance of attending the school of the child's/parents' choice.

BOBS

alphaomega wrote: »

As a full time working mother of 3 children I would not have time to spend with my children as other parents do. For example, someone who works part-time (in a non stressful job) and has only one child is more likely to be more patient and have more time to explain things to their children than the likes of me. Therefore, I am happy to pay for a tutor to do things I don't have time to do, as I think it creates a level playing feild. Also, I have worked in Education for many years and it is my experience that children of low intellectual ability will usually not do particularly well in the Transfer no matter how much they are tutored. It is also my experience that very bright children can also do poorly in the exams. Children of parents who are prepared to enter their children for these exams and pay for tutoring are usually likely to push their children to do well academically and the success of grammar schools in league tables may reflect this. Of course children who don't do the Transfer and are not tutored can also do extremely well in examinations, however, it is entirely acceptable for parents to do what they need to do in order to maximise their child's chance of attending the school of the child's/parents' choice.

you ask in the title if its ok to get your child tutored - I think you have made your own mind up and justified it to yourself - decision made as to what you feel is right for your child in your circumstances ....

Freefromdebt_2

I just want to wish all the P7s all the luck in the world for their results on Saturday. I hope you all do well !

Third_Time_Mum

Yes, all the best to children and parents receiving results on Saturday. It doesn't seem very long since we were in the same position last year. When DS didn't do as well as expected, I found last year's thread to be a great support - right up until the schools were allocated in May (especially in trying to do the impossible; ie: work out the puzzle of age standardisation!) DS doing extremely well in first choice school, despite being very borderline in AQE, so don't take result as a prediction of their future academic potential!

travellinglight_2

Xxx to all for Saturday.

ella77

Good luck to everyone on Saturday.

aqeworrier

Good luck for tomorrow everyone.

BOBS

All the best everyone!! - postie hurry up!!

Freefromdebt_2

I hope you all got the results you were expecting. DD got a C2 - not quite as high as we were expecting. She was ill the week before and including the morning she sat the transfer. I have applied for Special Circumstances but am unsure of what information I can include for key stage 2 scores. Her primary school principal has given me the results from her assessments from P6 but I know that the pupils are assessed regularly and sit half term tests. Can the scores from these be included ? Can anyone please advise me ?
Thanks