Javster wrote:
Hi all,
I'm new to the 11+ this year, DS is taking his tests in September 2019. I've been confused about this issue for the past couple of years, and have never had an answer.
Why does Tiffin Boys (maybe girls too) have their Stage 2 test AFTER the CAF date has passed? My thinking is that many parents would add in these schools on the form, not knowing whether their child was eligible for the place. I can't seem to work out their logic. Could anyone help on this please? I'm comparing this with Sutton, and their stage 2 and results are in October, so as parents we can make an informed choice.
Many thanks,
Javster
Doing the test afterwards, rather than before CAF is partly irrelevant, the test can't be failed, it just gives a ranking score against the other candidates
When I say irrelevant, I mean in the context of you are actually competing against an unknown number of other applicants, not to reach a pre-determined score. So unless you know how many others are going to apply (which of course you don't) it has no influence on if you choose to include on CAF, therefore doesn't matter if before or after.
If you think about it, if it was held before and say you got a score of 110 out of max 150 and were told 1000 had done test, would it have changed anything, probably not because you have no idea how many scored better AND will rank it above their other schools as choices.
Anyone can take the stage 1 test, but the admission rules state you need to have taken the admission tests (plural) so the only thing you need to know is if you are eligible to sit stage 2. In practice because holding tests are expensive (and State schools cannot charge a fee to enter them) want to operate a test that covers enough candidates (but not an excessively high number that costs lots extra)
Whilst it is possible to say you can make an informed choice, in reality unless you have a very good, or a low score. Any result that leaves you in the grey borderline area isn't really going to give you any useful info for deciding on if to include on your CAF