Eleven Plus Chances

Psychologists used to publish tables with common descriptive words for the classifications of intelligence. Parents of children writing eleven plus examinations need to be careful of applying these classifications. A pass mark at the eleven plus level can be fixed (and then argued over) where as it must be impossible to arrive at an all encompassing definition of intelligence.

I.Q.

00 - 19 Idiot 1%
20 - 49 Imbecile
50 – 69 Moron 2%
70 – 79 Inferior 6%
80 – 89 Dull 15%
60 – 109 Average 46%
110 – 119 Bright 18%
120 – 129 Superior 8%
130 – 139 Very superior 3%
140 – 179 Gifted 1%
180 and up Genius

A bright child with 110 – is remarkably close in ability to a child with 109.
A bright child with 110 is quite far removed from a bright child with 119.

The majority of gifted children show their ability at a very early age. It is likely that in most cases gifted children go on to achieve academic excellence or hold important office. There is quite rightly considerable help for parents with children at the lower end of the intelligence scale – but less for very able children.

At one time people used to believe that the size of a person’s head determined intelligence. Many men have brains bigger than that of women. The claim that men are brighter because of the size of their brain is obviously patently false.

One of the problems with verbal reasoning tests is that they are used to determine what kind of education a child can have. We all know, however, of people who work very hard and do well – and never ever considered university.

We can surmise, but undoubtedly incorrectly, that a child who scores 100 on a verbal reasoning test – but comes from a poor educational environment – will not do as well as a child who scores 100 – but comes from a favourable environment.

Working through lots of eleven plus papers won’t make a dull child bright. Working through lots of eleven plus papers won’t make a bright child into a genius. Working through eleven plus papers may, however, give a bright child a better chance.