The selection test for admission to grammar schools in the uk is by a
verbal and non-verbal reasoning test. I am wanting to know if this
testing is infallible. I am wanting an argument against this form of
testing. I want to prove that this form of testing does not show
accademic ability in children of ages 10-11.

---

Request for Question Clarification by answerfinder-ga on 07 Mar 2006 07:19 PST

Dear sararse-ga,

The only detailed information I have found is from Northern Ireland
which I believe conducted the same test as the rest of the UK. An
examination of the transfer test was reported in the Burn?s Report.

You may wish to read this BBC news article by way of introduction.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/3429541.stm

Chapter 9 of the report states
?We have been left in no doubt that the Tests are socially divisive,
damage self-esteem, place unreasonable pressures on pupils, primary
teachers and parents, disrupt teaching and learning at an important
stage in the primary curriculum and reinforce inequality of
opportunity. There is evidence also that the Tests are not an
appropriate or accurate method of assessing the individual abilities
and aptitudes of young people, or of their potential to benefit from
an academic education.?
http://www.deni.gov.uk/index/22-postprimaryarrangements-new-arrangements_pg/22-ppa-research_and_reports_pg/22-ppa-rap-br_pg.htm

As evidence for this statement they refer to a 58 page report written in 2001. 

?Testing the Test: A Study of the Reliability and Validity of the
Northern Ireland Transfer Procedure Test in Enabling the Selection of
Pupils for Grammar School Places.?
http://eric.ed.gov/ERICDocs/data/ericdocs2/content_storage_01/0000000b/80/27/a3/31.pdf

I have not read it in any detail. You may find that this contains the
evidence you are seeking.

Would you inform me as to whether this meets your requirements.

answerfinder-ga