Computerised exams for private school entrance
Computerised exams for private school entrance
A discussion on computerised exams in the private schools entrance in the UK along with computer based exams in general.
Like the foundation GCSE exams, entrance to the UK’s most competitive schools are now being initially conducted with on screen exams and tests usually in year 6 - 7. I have discussed this in a previous blog here.
Once the pupils have successfully passed these test they are offered a conditional place depending on their results at common entrance at year 8.
These computerised exams for year 6 and 7 can last up to 2.5 hours. Consist of the following
English Skills - Grammar, Vocab, comprehensive Maths - Numbers, values Non verbal reasoning Verbal reasoning
The idea with these exams is for there to be as little transparency as possible. No past papers of the exams are available. No tutor, school or class can prepare for these exams.
Though we disagree with the above statement. Key stage 2 is firmly routed in these computerised exams which sit around the national curriculum. Key stage 2 is also the sphere of the 11 plus in grammar school tests. The big kicker for both the 11 plus as well as the computerised school entrance test is the test of the cognitive ability beyond route learning.
Cognitive training is possible. It just requires a more nuanced approach than route learning.
There are three main pre test or pre exams for school entrance. They are CEM, ISEB and UKiset.
The ISEB pre test is regularly used by Harrow, St Pauls Boys, Eton and westminster before their own school pre test like the Eton List test and the harrow test. The opportunity for examiners of these pre entrance exams or pre tests is that they are adaptive. E.g. They get harder and harder as time and questions go on. So no two candidates will recieve the same exam. This is exactly the approach certain GCSEs should take. As i have discussed in previous blogs on block chain and exams.
The mix of final outcome depend on the factors: Time Pressure, adaptive questioning and the computer as a tool.
How can one prepare for these types of exams: Exam technique help a lot with time pressure. Learn to work at speed Practice adaptive questioning and know when to pass onto the next question.