Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning Tests Year 5 High Results

[BareMinerals]

Hi x I've just had the results of my daughters Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning Tests... She scored 131 & 136 respectively... Which apparently puts her in the top 5% of tested children!

We've always known that she was bright but trying to get that across to her school has been tough... When she started she was the youngest in her class and I noticed that she made herself go down to the other children's level (God, I hope that doesn't come across wrong!) It's just I knew what she was like x

She could read and write so was kind of left to her own devices (although the school deny this) She would do excellent work or none... Which I've since read is normal for gifted kids as if the topic doesn't grab them they can get bored...

They made me feel that 'all parents feel that their children are gifted'. So last year I stopped mentioning it.
I feel vindicated by these results and at last they can see what I knew all along x

Although I'm very proud of her I'm a bit lost as to what this means and what her options could be... I've been told that she could get into a private school or Grammer just by her results alone...

Any advice would be greatly appreciated xXx

[lougle]

"Although I'm very proud of her I'm a bit lost as to what this means and what her options could be... I've been told that she could get into a private school or Grammer just by her results alone..."

How can you be a bit 'lost' if you've been told she could get into a private school or Grammar just by her results alone? That's what it means.

It means 95% of children would score lower than her in the same tests, so she did well.

[Theas18]

Advice? You are about to make secondary school choices (well in the autumn) so arm yourself with information on how they deal with brighter kids.

However (and I don't mean to rain on your parade) being in the top 5% means 1 in every 20 kids will be as able re these tests- that's 1.5 kids per average class of 30 and in a secondary intake of say 120 kids she'd be in the top 6 .

If she goes to grammar school (which might be the right path for her) , depending on how selective the schools are , she could be decidedly average. We are in a super selective area, the grammars take approx the "top" 10%, so a child in the top 5% for cohort could still be in the middle of her grammar class.

Hope that makes sense. Understanding the statistics is the key. " being in the top 5%" doesn't mean much really when you try to put into context.

[RedHelenB]

It's what you do with the intelligence that counts as well & good, selective private schools will often interview as well.

[BareMinerals]

Thanks for the replies xXx I spoke to the Head Teacher today and she said to apply to all the schools that we like the look of and then take it from there... That way we'll know exactly what tests they need to do to get in. Then I can go to Smith's and buy some mock tests so she'll be used to the pressure at least and what happens on the day will be down to her x

[Snoopingforsoup]

My DS has got 140+ in VR and NVR for the last two years.
I'm still told he'll need a tutor to pass the grammar school tests so as far as I'm concerned, these tests are a great indicator of ability, but no golden ticket to a preferred school.
Many top ranking private schools don't use VR and NVR at entrance any more.
It's a shame, but these marks really don't appear to translate.

[Schmedz]

Thea - The super selective in our area takes children in the top 2-3% of applicants. Wish it was the top 10%!

And Snooping a standardised score of 140+ in VR and NVR puts the child in the top 1% of people (it is apparently MENSA level) so unless English and Maths and other subjects are tested, it should be a guarantee of a place.

[Snoopingforsoup]

Schmedz I wish I could take your word for that. Do you know where I can find out more information?
I've never had anyone able to tell me much about it and I don't like to push because I'll look a knob.
The school DS goes to is amazing and they do give him great extension work.
Everyone is now starting to tutor for the 11+ entry and every parent I speak to is instructing a tutor. I asked the teacher if he needed a tutor and she said no, but then speaking to the tutors, they're saying yes, DS will still need a tutor to pass the highly selective grammar exams despite me telling them his standardised scores. I figure they want the money and so they'll feed on my fear whatever the truth is.
If DS really is MENSA standard then surely he can get to a good school without? I have no idea what or who to believe anymore, but I know 140+ in both is pretty unusual.
I'm very tempted to hold my nerve and let him go in with just some practice papers...I am still not sure that these standardised results secure a place against kids who've practiced, practiced, practiced with tutors for a year plus in advance.
Of course, the private school entry system is different and I've looked and some of the best private schools do not use standardised scores or do NVR in entry tests. Not sure why that is!

[ulcombebird]

Not sure about 140 + I thought 140 was highest you can get. 11+ scores are 3 sets of 140, making an overall score of 420. Even if your child gets top marks in practice tests. The 'real thing' is a totally different ball game!

[Schmedz]

There are different tests used in different LEAs. Some supers electives use their own test and others in areas with lots of grammar schools seem to use more standardised tests from a few well known companies.

Nothing wrong with practise tests...some are multiple choice and some are not, some are even online format. Best to try a few different styles so the child is prepared for the style used in your LEA. You might even be able to find out the format for the answer sheets so you could focus on those.

My DD 'failed' her super selective multiple choice based tests and did not have a hope of getting a place but at another school where the format was online she scored a standardised 140 and won an academic scholarship! Just goes to show a lot depends on how things go on the day and for her, I think the direct online format helped her record her answers more accurately...(she has AS).

Good luck to your DC.

[morethanpotatoprints]

Well done to your dd

I understand where you are coming from if you are not used to the system it is daunting. The best advice anybody can give you is for you to do your homework. Find out the tests of the schools that interest you, ask at what mark/grade they are guaranteed acceptance. It seems to vary a lot from posts I have read on here. Keep posting and asking questions on here, you can sound a bit sill then as nobody knows you.

[basildonbond]

Your dd is obviously very bright but whatever you do, don't tell her her score ...

Ds1's IQ test results put him in the top 0.2% (he has SEN as well hence the testing) and he found out his score - he's v good at reading upside down ...

Unfortunately although he's exceptionally bright (his CAT scores have remained sky-high) he's also exceptionally lazy but has been convinced for years that as he's so bright he didn't need to do any work - he's now doing his GCSEs and although he will do well he won't get the string of A*s he should be getting

Raw intelligence is all very well but it's not much use without a bit of application