Transfer Test AQE 2014-2015

Mrs_mum

It is reassuring to hear that someone else is having similar problems. Her school is offering an after schools AQE club, 2 afternoons a week, which I am pleased about and they give her homework over the weekend, which we mark and then they do the practice paper once a week, so I am not sure how much more work to give her at home? It seems a fine line between supporting and encouraging and perhaps putting her under too much pressure.

flymetothemoon_2

My son will be doing AQE tests in November 2014. His Primary School started practice tests in March (1 per week). His scores have ranged from 54% to 80% but are mostly in mid to high 60s which seems not too bad but at the same time, I don't know if it's good enough. Some people say approx 66/67% is enough for entry to most grammars whilst other people tell me they reckon you need to be scoring in the 70s - so I just don't know, but I'm hoping (with lots of practice over the next 5 months) that my DSs scores will get into the 70s. I'm not expecting 80s or 90s but 70s would give me comfort. As for tutoring, although, in principle, I am against this, I also feel that if many other parents are doing it that my son will be disadvantaged if I don't. So, no plans at the moment for a tutor but I may reconsider this.
Finally, I'd be interested to hear from anyone who knows the lowest scores accepted for entry in Sept 14 by RBAI, Belfast High, Belfast Royal Academy and Ballyclare High as these are the schools I will be considering for my DS.

aqeworrier

My child did the AQE November 2012 and my other one is doing it this November. I wouldn't worry about what your child is getting now in terms of percentages in the practice papers - the only ones that count are the real ones. I saw lots of kids who were getting in the 50's/60's % in P6 pull up to the 80's by the time they did the test and most came out with a score which was enough for a grammar school. Having said that, to be comfortable, you would be wanting your child to be consistently scoring 75% and above by the time they are sitting the test. My daughter got a score of 96 in the AQE and I wrote to them for her raw marks, ie marks she got out of 64 in each paper (which they will happily give to you if you write them a letter). Her best two papers gave her a combined percentage of 75% and this equated to 96 as an AQE score. So to get a score over 100 you would probably be looking to score over 80%. This does change from year to year however, based on what all the other children score and then its all standardised.

In terms of what scores schools took this year, just give them a ring and they'll be happy to tell you what their lowest accepted score was or some even have it on their website.

Mrs_mum

Haven't heard yet what sort of scores were accepted for Sept 2014. A friend of mines child got 100 and was accepted for BRA. I am hoping with practice over the summer my daughters scores will go up!

Mrs_mum

Thanks aqeworrier, really helpful info.

yorkshire_lass_3

Here are some schools 'lowest scores' for Sept 2014 intake.
Apologies, I don't know the ones requested above.

Bloomfield Collegiate 82
Campbell College. 81
Grosvenor Grammar 101
Methodist College 104
R.B.A.I. 96
Strathearn School 100
Sullivan Upper 100
Wellington College 100

Hope that helps but am guessing each year is different anyway.

Veggie_Northern_Ireland

I'm a bit worried seeing how many primary schools are doing extra practice for aqe, my sisters school are doing an after school club once a week (this is the first year they've done it) but the school have said they they will not be doing practice tests , in class or the club. It seems that the club is just a little bit extra Math & English. I'm doing the tests with her at home but it would be nice to see the school doing some and the kids getting some support from teachers explaining their mistakes etc.

Mrs Mum, is your daughter sitting aqe in November 2014 or 2015?

For those doing practice papers at home, are you timing them for an hour or just letting them complete them however long it takes? I don't want to pressure her into hurrying up yet and want her to work out and get familiar with the questions first but I think I should start timing her more now ( I always time to see how long she takes but when she goes over an hour I just let her).

Percentages are going up and down here too, started in low 60s and went up to getting 78-79% and one 82% but dropped to 64% in the most recent practice test. Maths is her weaker section.

Im going with the thought that it's still 5 months away and scores will slowly go up and even out over the summer but November will be here in no time!

Mrs_mum

Sorry daughter is doing test November 2014! Not timing her yet on any of the work she is doing at home but the school gives them 1 hour to do the practice paper in class and my daughter usually doesn't get the last few questions done but these practice papers that the school is setting seem to be quite a bit longer than the AQE papers. Headmaster said that when they go into P7 they will do 2 practice papers a week and these ones will be actual old/sample AQE papers.

Veggie_Northern_Ireland

I guessed you'd meant 2014... Or you were getting super prepared for 2015

I agree with what you said about confidence being knocked, my sister wasn't overly confident doing practice papers but once she did well in one (79%) her confidence went up and she started tackling the questions with a more positive attitude, rather than thinking she couldn't do them, she at least tries most of the now. Tho it seems to knock confidence a bit when she goes down a bit in percentage.

What type of work are you doing at home?

ni-mum

yorkshire_lass wrote: »

Here are some schools 'lowest scores' for Sept 2014 intake.
Apologies, I don't know the ones requested above.

Bloomfield Collegiate 82
Campbell College. 81
Grosvenor Grammar 101
Methodist College 104
R.B.A.I. 96
Strathearn School 100
Sullivan Upper 100
Wellington College 100

Hope that helps but am guessing each year is different anyway.

Where did you get this information? I know someone whose score was in the 90s and he got into Wellington.