When an eleven plus child sits a multiple choice paper, there
could be a chance of him or her making a number of random errors. A random
error on a paper may, for example, be meaning to select one answer and marking
a different one. A constant error would be a child choosing to fill in the second
multiple choice answer on every question. This would produce a random error –
but would be a random error by design. Some questions, at least, would be
correct!
When the examiners design eleven papers they try to
eliminate all the possible sources of constant errors. They cannot, however, do
anything about a child who finds the paper too hard and thus adopts a
comforting strategy of selecting answers at random.
If examiners tried to eliminate random errors on eleven plus
papers then they would have to work with a cohort of children of identical
ability and having the same educational opportunities. Some comprehension
questions, for example, may require a strong reading vocabulary while other
questions look for inferences.
On the day of the examination all the children would need to
have the same breakfast, arrive at school in the same calm but positive frame
of mind and all the children would need to have the same number of sharpened pencils.
The list to try to eliminate randomness must go on and on. On an eleven plus
mock day, some time ago, there was an accident in the road near to one family’s
house. There was a hold up while the cars were moved. The candidate’s car was
not affected – but could not turn around because of the build-up of traffic. A
rather stressed mother arrived dragging her child by the arm. “Are we too late?”
Eleven plus examiners have much to answer for – but cannot
take into account any or all random events beyond their control.
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