Eton CE pass mark

[agirland2boys]

Does anyone know the required pass mark for Eton? I've searched this site (and the prospectus and also the web, for that matter) and the only mention I've found was a post from 2008 which said it was 65%.

[maisiejoe123]

Tbh - it does vary. Boys take tests in different subjects so realistically not all their results will be 65% By the time they get to sitting CE a good school would know whether they have a possibility of going and will not enter their pupil for a test to a school that they arent going to pass.

The test is taken in June for Sept entry so it isnt in anyone's interest to put a child forward who doesnt pass.

For example at my DS's prep school (and they send about 6 to Eton a year) no-one has 'failed' the CE and got into their chosen school for the last 3 years.

Can I ask what your prep school is advising. It really isnt just a matter of getting 65%. You need to be at the right prep school with the head's backing because they also need to write a reference.

[AuntieStella]

They still say 65%. They make offers after pre-test, and set a CE mark that ensures boys with conditional offers don't slack off, but which should not unduly stress them.

[maisiejoe123]

If a boy is supported by his prep school and does well at pre test he will be fine at CE. A good school will sort this out. However I am getting the impression (please correct me if I am wrong!) that the OP is trying to sort this out on her own.

[agirland2boys]

No, my son has conditional offer and also place at preferred house. Just wondering about CE.
So I guess its 65%.
Thanks very much!

[grovel]

agirland2boys, in my son's year only one boy failed because of CE. He was at an international school and had simply not done the curriculum probably.

[IndridCold]

This year's entry had no CE failures, and I think Admissions were pretty pleased that they had chosen well.

Well done to your DS, I'm sure he will have nothing to worry about, I do know how nerve-wracking it is for us poor parents though. My DS did badly in one subject and only got a D (a C is 65% I think) the fact that there were errors in the exam and his success in other subjects balanced things out in the end.

[yesbutnobut]

I think if your son has a place then you should be fine. His prep school would be advising if there were a problem re CE. There is also the question of levels - for instance I understand Eton require Level 3 Latin at CE.

[AuntieStella]

Surely they specified the qualifying mark when making the offer? After all, as the place is conditional on it, it's pretty important you know what it is.

[IndridCold]

They don't specify the mark to parents - it's a school thing!

[AuntieStella]

They tell you on the show arounds, and presumably parents talk to HTs.

[IndridCold]

Not necessarily, we didn't bother much with what the exact pass mark was. We were confident that DS's school was preparing him well and would have let us know if there was any likelihood of him not reaching the required standard. I'm sure the OP's school will do the same.

[maisiejoe123]

Not all boys going to Eton will get 65% in ALL subjects. If he has an offer already (sorry, I had assumed that you were trying to get into Eton by just finding out what the passmark was) you will be fine!

When you get your results from memory you get grades in each subject.

Because the CE is done so late in the year neither the school or parents want any last minute shocks. Maybe Eton could fill a place with a boy on the waiting list but not all schools are like this.

If he has already done well in pre-test he is clearly good at exams and wont panic when the CE comes around.

I think you are panicing unnessarily.

Chill Out. He will be fine!

[ChazsBrilliantAttitude]

I'd heard that you should be around the 65% mark but the school does take a flexible approach and look at the totality of what the boy has to offer rather than a rigid focus on the mark.
(this is second hand info but does seem to be in line with what others have heard)