It may be a source of wonder to some eleven plus parents
when they look at the content of some eleven plus questions. A stray thought
may pass through their minds. “How can an exercise of this nature determine my
child grammar school future?”
The eleven plus `experts’, who set the actual tests, are
working on the premise that more superior or more able children will be able to
solve more problems that children of a lesser ability. If we consider that that
each of the questions in an eleven plus test counts as one mark, as is the case
in eleven plus tests, then a test can be constructed.
If we take questions along the lines of: `Rearrange the
Letters to Make Names of Animals” then a group of children can be given the exercise.
The task is unequivocally specific – the answer is right or wrong. There are no
degrees of success – either the child can answer the question or the answer is
wrong. If the eleven plus candidate can unravel the answers then there is an enhanced
chance of eleven plus success.
Before questions are included in the actual test they are
tried out of sample groups of children – and questions and answers are checked.
There is no point in setting questions that no children can answer. In the `Rearranging’ exercise the task is
similar for each animal that has to be found. Some questions may be easy – and some
more difficult. If you did the following exercise on each member of your family
you would expect some to be able to answer some questions – while others
struggled.
You could try this at home!
Rearrange the Letters to Make Names of Animals
Snkuk
Niol
Snkuk
Niol
Rede
Tgrei
Barze
Selwae
Bnsio
Leum
Seomu
Shroe
Goroanka
Delopra
Hapletne
Kmyeon
Duonh
Yeteoo
Lqriurse
Kunmpchi
Rotligala
Laglroi
Tinram
Lettru
Clreoicdo
Peatnole
What now follows is a gentle suggestion. Gather two further families
on Sunday afternoon. This could, possibly, give a total of six adults and three
eleven plus children. Give each participant a sheet with the list of twenty
four animals. Take the finishing time. Mark the answers. Compare the answers.
Help those who need help. Find solace in
a timely fashion. Wonder why you ever started on this eleven plus lark. Ask
yourself: “Why do they have questions like this in the eleven plus?”
