Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I have to register for the test on each school website?
2. If I am planning to apply for a sibling place, does my child still need to take the test?
3. What if I enter my child’s details incorrectly?
4. If my child is out of year group, what should I do?
5. What if I can’t see my child’s primary school in the drop down list of primary schools?
6. When will I know my test centre?
7. Where will my child take the test?
8. What should I do if my child has a disability or needs extra time for the tests? (If your child usually receives extra time or special intervention in class then you must let us know.)
9. What if I forget the details of the test?
10. Can I change the venue I have been allocated?
11. My child is taking the test at a school I am not applying to – does it matter at what school my child takes the test?
12. What happens if my child is not able to attend the Academic and/or Music Test?
13. What should I do if my child is ill on the day of the Test?
14. What if I have registered my child to sit a test in a different borough and it clashes with a consortium test?
15. What do I do if I cannot attend the Music Aptitude Second Round time I have been given?
16. What tests do the children take?
17. At the Second Round of the Music Aptitude Test, can my child use the opportunity to give a more detailed account of their aptitude and experience?
18. What do I do if I want to amend/change the test(s) I want my child to take?
19. What equipment does my child need?
20. How can I get hold of practice papers? Do the Consortium or any of the schools hold past papers?
21. If I have a query regarding any of the tests, who do I contact?
22. Can I stay with my child or wait for my child during the test?
23. How will I find out my child’s test results?
24. How are the test answer sheets marked?
25. Requesting a marking review of your child’s academic test papers
26. Requesting a marking review of your child’s Round 1 music test paper
27. Requesting a marking review of your child’s Round 2 music test
28. Are the scores age-standardised?
29. What mark does my child have to achieve?
30. If I have registered my child for the test, do I still need to apply for a school place?
31. How do I apply to any of the Consortium Schools?
32. What are each school’s admission criteria?
33. Should my primary school help my child prepare for the VR Test?
34. I have missed the deadline to register for the test.  Can I still register after the deadline?
35. What is the process in the case of adverse circumstances during a test?

FAQS

1. Do I have to register for the test on each school website?

2. If I am planning to apply for a sibling place, does my child still need to take the test?

• If you have a child currently at Queens’ School you do not need to register a sibling to take the Academic or Music test, unless you are planning to apply to one of the other Consortium Schools as a higher preference. You do not need to register a sibling to take the Sports test. (A sibling must be on the roll of the named school at the time of application.)
• If you have a child currently at Parmiter’s School, you do not need to register a sibling to take the Academic or Music test unless you are planning to apply to one of the other Consortium Schools as a higher preference.(A sibling must be attending the school and residing at the same family household from Monday to Friday at the time of application).
• If you have a child currently at Rickmansworth School, you do not need to register a sibling to take the Academic or Music test unless you are planning to apply to one of the other Consortium Schools as a higher preference. (A sibling must be on the School’s roll in Years 7 to 12 and is reasonably expected to be on the School’s roll in September).
• If you have a child currently at St Clement Danes School please look at the schools admissions policy
• If you have a child currently at Watford Grammar School for Boys please look at the schools admissions policy
• If you have a child currently at Watford Grammar School for Girls please look at the schools admissions policy
• If you have a child currently at Croxley Danes School, you do not need to register a sibling to take the Music test unless you are planning to apply to one of the other Consortium Schools as a higher preference. (A sibling must have a  brother or sister who is in attendance at the school at the time of application).

Alternatively please contact the schools directly here.

3. What if I enter my child’s details incorrectly?

• One Registration Only: Your child can only be registered once. Ensure all details are correct when registering.
• Check Details Carefully: Double-check your child’s full name and spelling. Any discrepancies in the name (e.g., initials vs. full name) can cause issues with matching the test scores to the application.The same version of the name should be used across all correspondence (e.g., school application forms and test registration).
• Test Preferences: Make sure to select the correct test options. Test options cannot be amended after the registration period has ended under any circumstances. If you make any errors, contact info@swhertsschools.org.uk immediately.
• Address and Matching Test Scores: The address provided during test registration must match the address on your school application to ensure the test score is correctly matched to your child.
• Eligible Date of Birth: Your child must have a date of birth between 1st September 2014 and 31st August 2015 to be eligible for the test.

4. If my child is out of year group, what should I do?

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  Contact the Consortium: If your child is out of the year group and was born outside the correct date range (for testing in 2025 for entry in 2026, the date range is 1st September 2014 to 31st August 2015), you must contact the Consortium Administration Team via email at info@swhertsschools.org.uk.

  
  
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  Primary School Letter: You will need to provide a letter from the primary school confirming that your child is out of year.

  
  
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  Test Limit: A child can only take the Consortium test once, and you may be asked to sign a declaration confirming your understanding of this.

  
  
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  Registration Details: When registering, input a date of birth as 1st September 2014. Afterward, contact the Consortium with your child’s correct date of birth for standardisation purposes.

  
  

5. What if I can’t see my child’s primary school in the drop down list of primary schools?

• Tick the “I can’t find the school” Box:
• Manually Input the School Details: Enter your child’s primary school name, town, and postcode in the provided box. Afterward, go back to the School postcode field and enter the postcode again. You will not be able to save the page without completing this step.
• Double-Check the School List: Before inputting the school manually, ensure your child’s school isn’t already listed. Look for variations: Faith schools often use “St.” instead of “Saint,” and some schools may begin with “The.” Make sure to check for these variations.
• Importance of Correct School Name: Getting the correct school name is crucial. If not entered correctly, your child may not be allocated a place with the whole cohort.

6. When will I know my test centre?

Please see the Calendar section of this website for all important dates.

7. Where will my child take the test?

• Test Location: Your child will take the test at one of the schools in the Consortium.
• Parent Portal: You can log into the parent portal in July to find out the specific test location.
• Geographical Allocation: The test centre is generally assigned based on the geographical location of your child’s primary school, though you may not be allocated the nearest Consortium school.
• Travel Consideration: It’s advisable to ensure that you can travel to any Consortium school, as the location is not guaranteed to be the closest to your child’s primary school.
• Not Related to School Preference: The allocated test centre has no bearing on your school preferences or final school selection.

8. What should I do if my child has a disability or needs extra time for the tests?

Inform Us Early: If your child typically receives extra time or special support in class, notify us as soon as possible.

Equality Act 2010 and SEND: If you believe your child may be disadvantaged under the Equality Act 2010 or has special educational needs that require adjustments, you must upload written confirmation from your child’s SENDCo or Headteacher during the application process. Only documents from the current school will be accepted—other documents will not be accepted.

Upload Confirmation: Please upload the confirmation to the portal during the application process. If you do not have scanning facilities, ask the primary school for help. No paper copies will be accepted.

Deadline: Ensure the paperwork is uploaded by Friday 6th June. After this date, requests for special provisions will not be considered for the main test day and will be allocated to the reserve day.

Missed Deadline: If you miss the deadline, you will need to contact the Consortium Administration Team via the “contact us” tab for guidance, but no late submissions can be accepted.

Eligibility: If you’re unsure about eligibility for special provisions, speak to your class teacher or SENCo at your child’s primary school.

9. What if I forget the details of the test?

Test Information Email: After registration, you will receive an email with your test details from admin@applicaa.com. The sender will be listed as “Applicaa”. Make sure to follow all instructions provided in the email (e.g., activating your account, completing registration, confirming test venue, etc.).

Log in Regularly: We recommend that after registration, you log on regularly to the secure web page to check: Initial registration details, Test centre allocation, Music aptitude test second stage times (if applicable).

Test Results: You will be when your test scores are available on the portal. If you do not receive emails, you can still access the results on the portal.

Parent Portal Responsibility:It is your responsibility as a parent to log in to the Parent Portal to review all necessary information, especially if you haven’t received an email from us. Check the calendar for deadlines and important timescales.

10. Can I change the venue I have been allocated?

No – the venue cannot be changed.  We allocate entire primary school cohorts to a single test centre.  The popularity of the test means that each test centre is filled to capacity and each test session is carefully planned in terms of numbers and staffing.

11. My child is taking the test at a school I am not applying to – does it matter at what school my child takes the test?

No – the test venue is simply where your child will take the test or tests for which you have applied.  The venue is immaterial to the final allocation of school places.

12. What happens if my child is not able to attend the Academic and/or Music Test?

If your child can attend the Academic and/or Music Test, confirm your attendance via the link sent after test center allocation. Do not decline without checking eligibility for the reserve date with the Consortium Administration Team. Alternative test dates are only allowed for medical reasons or religious observance. For religious reasons, provide a letter from your religious leader when registering to secure a place on the reserve test day. If your child is taking the test in another borough or county, we may attempt to reschedule the test session (morning to afternoon) if requested before the end of the academic year. The test calendar considers events like religious festivals and tests in neighboring areas.

13. What should I do if my child is ill on the day of the Test?

If your child is ill on the test day, contact the test venue immediately. Medical certification is required to arrange entry for the Reserve Day. Do not attend the test hoping your child will recover. If your child falls ill during the test, they cannot complete or retake it.

14. What if I have registered my child to take a test in a different borough and it clashes with a Consortium test?

First, try to request a place on another Borough’s or County’s reserve test day. Buckinghamshire 11+ tests offer alternative dates, unlike our schools. If that’s not possible, contact your allocated test center to request a session swap (e.g., morning to afternoon). The center will check with the Consortium Administration Team about availability. Requests for session changes may not be accepted after the academic year ends.

15. What do I do if I cannot attend the Music Aptitude Test Second Round time I have been given?

You can decline your assigned appointment, and we’ll try to change your time slot to a more suitable one. A “swap” can only be offered if another candidate also wants to change their test time. We can realistically offer only one alternative, so please try to accept one of the available times.

16. What tests do the children take?

Children applying under the Academic Criterion will take Mathematics and Verbal Reasoning tests, provided by GL Assessment. Those applying under the Music criterion will take the Consortium Musical Aptitude test. A Sports Test, specific to Queens’ School, is also available.

To help children prepare for the Academic test, GL Assessment has provided free sample materials to familiarize them with the test format and question types. These materials aim to help children recognize the test booklet, answer sheet, and question styles on the actual test day.

The following should be noted:

We believe these materials are a useful tool to prepare your child to be able to recognise the test booklets and the separate answer sheet in readiness for test day.  As entrance tests vary from area to area, the familiarisation materials and practice papers offered on the familiarisation papers tab are generic and are not intended to replicate the timings or number of questions on the papers candidates will take on test day.  These materials are not designed for a specific area, region, or test and the quantity of questions and timings should not be relied upon as a base line for the test that will be taken in September.

Mathematics: Papers are prepared specifically for the Consortium by GL Assessment and are based on the Key Stage 2 curriculum. Click Here for Mathematics Familiarisation Paper

Verbal Reasoning:  Papers are prepared specifically for the Consortium by GL Assessment. Click Here for Verbal Reasoning Familiarisation Paper

There will be a short break between tests for a small snack. Please avoid snacks containing nuts, sesame, or any allergy-inducing ingredients, including Nutella. Any snack must be suitable for a school environment. If a snack isn’t allowed at your child’s primary school, it isn’t allowed at the test center.

Candidates must bring:

• Two pencils and an eraser

Candidates must not bring:

• Technological devices like iPods, mobile phones (not allowed in the exam room), MP3/4 players, smartwatches, Fitbits, or wristwatches with data storage, cellular, or Bluetooth capabilities. These are prohibited under JCQ guidelines.
• Mobile phones will be collected before the test and returned afterward.
• An analogue rotary wristwatch may be worn but must be removed and placed on the desk before the exam starts.

Music Test Overview:

The Music Test consists of 60 questions in four sections: Pitch, Melody, Rhythm, and Texture, played via an audio file in the test center’s main hall.

• Pitch (20 questions): Candidates listen to two sounds and determine if the second sound is higher, lower, or the same.
• Rhythm (10 questions): Candidates compare two four-beat rhythm patterns and identify differences.
• Melody (10 questions): Candidates listen to two five-note tunes and identify any note changes, specifying which note has been altered.
• Texture (20 questions): Candidates identify whether chords have two, three, or four notes.

A limited number of applicants will be invited back to perform a single piece on their chosen instrument or vocally. This will be a free choice of piece, which should last no longer than three minutes. As there is a free choice of instrument and piece, it will give candidates of all abilities and all cultures equal opportunity to succeed. Those applicants invited back will be given an individual appointment during the school day. Please see the Calendar for further details.

Music Aptitude Test (Second Stage):

• Arrival: Arrive 10 minutes early to warm up in the provided area.
• Performance: Your performance should last no longer than 3 minutes. The examiners may stop the performance if it exceeds this time. Only one piece may be performed.
• Accompaniment: Bring music sheets if you wish for staff accompaniment. No personal accompanist is allowed.
• Instrument Changes: If your child changes instruments from the registration form, inform the steward.
• Instruments: Piano/keyboard candidates can choose between an acoustic piano or keyboard. If you require any other keyboard type than a Cassio please bring this with you. For bass/electric guitars, bring your own amp and lead. For drums, we provide an acoustic kit only, but bring your own drumsticks. You must inform the Clerks upon registration when you arrive that you require use of the drum kit.
• For piano/keyboard candidates there will be both an acoustic piano and a keyboard in the test room and the candidate can choose which one he/she prefers.
• Although pianos and generic Casio keyboards (as found in many schools) are available, we recommend that you bring your own portable keyboard from home if you are more familiar with this instrument or if you require any other type than Casio.
• Backing Tracks: Bring a device compatible with Bluetooth (e.g., phone, iPad) for backing tracks, or bring a CD with the track clearly specified. If using a CD, bring your own player.
• Equipment: Ensure your instruments are tuned before the test. We do not provide spare strings or reeds, but can provide music stands
• Examiners will only interact to ensure your child is ready with the correct equipment. Music experience or qualifications will not be discussed during the test.

17. At the second round of the Music Aptitude Test, can my child use the opportunity to give a more detailed account of their aptitude and experience?

No, your child cannot give a detailed account of their aptitude or experience during the second round of the Music Aptitude Test. Each candidate is assessed in the same way. They will be asked to begin playing when ready and will be thanked once they finish. No questions will be asked afterward, and there will be no opportunity to showcase additional musical aptitude. Music experience or qualifications are not relevant to the test.

Sports Test: The test is based on the Eurofit test and consists of seven events. Please see the Queens’ School website for further details.

18. What do I do if I want to amend/change the test(s) I want my child to take?

You can amend your child’s test preferences until the registration closing date in June by contacting the administration team or logging into the parent portal. After this date, no changes can be made. If you haven’t selected a test by then, you will not be allowed to choose one afterward.

19. What equipment does my child need for the Academic Tests?

Equipment for the Academic Tests:

Candidates must bring:

• Two pencils and an eraser

Candidates must not bring:

• Any technological devices such as:
  • iPods
  • Mobile phones (not allowed in the exam room)
  • MP3/4 players or similar devices
  • Smartwatches
  • Fitbits
  • Wristwatches with data storage, cellular, or Bluetooth capabilities

These items are prohibited according to the Instructions for Conducting Examinations (ICE) by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ).

• Mobile phones will be collected before the test and returned afterward.
• An analogue rotary wristwatch may be worn but must be removed and placed on the desk before the exam starts.

Refreshments for the break (between the math and verbal reasoning tests) should be neatly packed, named, and suitable for a school environment. Do not bring snacks containing or possibly containing nuts, including Nutella.

20. How can I get hold of practice papers? Does the Consortium or any of the schools hold past papers?

Familiarisation papers can be downloaded from the links above or the Home page of the website. The Consortium does not send out past papers, and this applies to all Consortium schools. Similar papers can be purchased from bookshops or online. Our test provider for both maths and verbal reasoning is GL Assessment.

21. If I have a query regarding any of the tests, who do I contact?

If you have any queries regarding the test prior to the date upon which the test centres are allocated, please contact the Consortium Administration Team via email info@swhertsschools.org.uk.  Once you have been allocated a test centre, please direct all queries to the Admissions Officer of the test centre to which you have been allocated:

Please Click Here to Contact the Admissions Officer at Croxley Danes School (Music Test only)

Please Click Here to Contact the Admissions Officer at Parmiters School (Academic and Music Tests)

Please Click Here to Contact the Admissions Officer at Queens’ School (Academic, Music and Sports Tests)

Please Click Here to Contact the Admissions Officer at Rickmansworth School (Academic and Music Tests)

Please Click Here to Contact the Admissions Officer at St Clement Danes (Academic and Music Tests)

Please Click Here to Contact the Admissions Officer at Watford Grammar School for Boys (Academic and Music Tests)

Please Click Here to Contact the Admissions Officer at Watford Grammar School for Girls (Academic and Music Tests)

22. Can I stay with my child or wait for my child during the test?

No.  Parents must leave the test centre site once they have registered the children and return to collect them afterwards at the time given by the centre.

23. How will I find out my child’s test results?

Please refer to the test calendar for the timeline of test results.

First stage music test results are published first, and parents will receive an email when these are available to view on the parent portal. This email will also contain the pass mark required to progress to the second round. If you have not received an email on the date specified on the test calendar please log in to the parent portal and check your results.

Final test results for all tests will be published on Thursday, 16th October, around midday. Results of tests will be available on Parent Portal and you will also receive an email to advise you of this.  As mentioned previously, please see the calendar for information on timescales and deadlines. Please consult the calendar for specific timescales and deadlines. It is your responsibility to log on to the Parent Portal and check the information at the appropriate times during the testing process.

24. How are the test answer sheets marked?

The answer sheets are returned to GL Assessment for marking by computer. They are machine-marked (scanned) and the computer detects the shading made on the answer sheets using OMR (Optical Mark Recognition) technology. Before taking the test, all children were provided with a Familiarisation Booklet to work through and this included examples of how to record answers on the separate answer sheets. To do the test children were told in the Booklet to:

“…read each question, chose the answer you think is correct and then put the answer on the separate answer sheet. When you have completed the test your answer sheets are then marked by a computer.”

To record an answer on the answer sheet:

• In the test you will need to mark your answers on a separate answer sheet. You have to mark the correct answer for each question by drawing a line with your pencil through the small rectangular box beside it, like this.

  

• Some questions may require you to mark two correct answers so make sure you read the instructions carefully in each section of the test!
• In the test itself, be sure to keep your place on the answer sheet. You should always check that you are marking your answer in the box that has the same number as the test question you are on. This is especially important if you decide to skip a question that you can’t answer and come back to it later.
• In the test you can use the question booklet for rough working, but you should not write any working-out on the answer sheet. If you need to change an answer, you should rub out the incorrect answer and mark the correct one instead. Do not cross out your answers on the answer sheet as the computer will not be able to mark them.

Examples of the answer sheets are available to view in the Familiarisation Papers section of the website.  Our answer sheets are pre-printed with your child’s name, date of birth and individual candidate number.

Each answer needs sufficient shading (enough of a ‘mark’) for it to be recognised as such. The scanning process will also look at the size, sharpness, density and position of the ‘mark’ within the box

How can I be sure that my child’s answer sheets have been marked correctly?

Each child has a unique pupil ID and bar code which are clearly displayed on the answer sheet. This enables the answers to be linked to the particular child. Answer sheets are marked in batches as follows:

Online keying

As the batch of answer sheets is being scanned, the scanner stops if there is an ‘issue’ with a particular answer sheet (answer not marked, multiple marks) and the operative will look at the answer sheet via a viewer and make a decision on the question concerned (correctly answered or not), seeking the support of a supervisor as necessary. Scanning then recommences.

What happens if more than the required number of answers (marks) are detected on the answer sheet during the scanning process?

The scanning software uses an ‘erasure discrimination’ process to determine whether two marks are different enough for one to be considered an ‘erasure’, or whether they are too similar and should be treated as a ‘multi-mark’.

In the instance above, what guidelines do the scanning team work to in order to determine which answer to mark?

Multi-marks are flagged by the scanning software and the scanning operator will view the answer suspected to be a multi mark on the screen, the scanning operator will then look at the answer sheet to determine whether a mark has been crossed out, erased or appears to be a genuine multi-mark. If required, the query is flagged for a supervisor to make a decision.

A record is kept where manual intervention has been required and also if the outcome is that a question has been multi-marked or not attempted.

What quality assurance processes are in place?

In addition to the information above, if it is not possible for an answer sheet to be scanned the scanning operator will transcribe the original answer sheet onto a new answer sheet, the responses are then checked by a different scanning operator and the transcribed answer sheet is then scanned. GL Assessment, the test provider, will keep the original answer sheet and the transcribed answer sheet together.

25. Requesting a marking review of your child’s academic test papers

To request a marking review of your child’s academic test papers, go to the homepage of the website, click on the “Academic Test Paper Marking Review” tab, and follow the instructions. Complete the form and pay the £50 administration fee via online banking. You will receive an email confirming the payment. Then, within approximately 15 school days (excluding school holidays), you will receive confirmation of your child’s test score via email.

The marking review is final and will only confirm the score or indicate a change. A breakdown of scores or raw data is not provided. The tests are for determining eligibility for applications to Consortium schools, not for performance assessments. For appeals, refer to the Secondary Transfer Appeals process in May and June of the year following testing.

Before you begin, please bear in mind that it is extremely unlikely that there has been an error in the marking of your child’s test papers.  Last year NO errors in marking were found to have been made.

When making the online payment, in the reference space, you must put the candidate’s first initial and surname followed by your student code (this can be obtained from the parent portal).

For example: Z Brown U-A97D

If no reference is entered, the finance department will not be able to identify the payment.

An online application for academic test paper marking review requests will be available to parents between the dates specified on the Marking Review Tab of this website and is relevant only to test candidates making secondary transfer applications for the same year.  No marking review requests will be offered outside of the dates specified.

26. Requesting a marking review of your child’s Round 1 music test

To request a marking review of your child’s Round 1 music test, please contact the test center where they took the test. This request should be made immediately after the release of the Round 1 test scores. Requests received more than seven school days after the release of the scores will not be accepted.

27. Requesting a marking review of your child’s Round 2 music test

We do not offer remarks for Round 2 music tests, nor do we provide a breakdown of the marks awarded. If you believe extenuating circumstances affected the outcome of the Round 2 test, you may present these as part of an appeal during the Secondary Transfer Appeals Process.

28. Are the scores age-standardised?

Academic Ability Test

The Verbal Reasoning and Maths raw scores are age-standardised based on the child’s age in completed months. This ensures fair comparison across all children, balancing performance regardless of age differences within the same year group. The standardisation process considers the child’s age on the test day, addressing variations where some children are younger in their year group.

It’s important to note that the South West Herts Schools Consortium test is not an 11+ test, as it only includes maths and verbal reasoning (whereas a traditional 11+ test includes maths, verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, and English). Therefore, the final standardised scores from this test are not directly comparable to a traditional 11+ score.

For more information on age-standardisation please refer to A guide to standardised tests – GL Assessment (gl-assessment.co.uk)

Music Aptitude Test

The Music Aptitude test scores are not standardised.

29. What mark does my child have to achieve?

There is no pass mark for the academic test; places are offered based on each school’s admission arrangements. Once you receive your final standardised test score, you can decide which school(s) to apply to. Historical data on each Consortium school’s website shows the lowest scores that gained entry in the past three years. While these historical scores are generally comparable to this year’s scores, they should be viewed with caution as standards can vary from year to year.

30. If I have registered my child for the test, do I still need to apply for a school place?

Yes, you still need to apply for a school place. It’s important to note that school applications and test registrations are separate processes. Registering for the test does not automatically apply for a school place, and vice versa.

31. How do I apply to any of the Consortium Schools?

You must complete the Common Application Form (CAF) for the Local Authority in which you live. (The borough council to which you pay your council tax.) The national deadline for applications for secondary transfer is the 31st October.  If you apply for a school place after this date, your application will be considered as a Late Application and will not be considered alongside applications made on time.

In addition you may be asked to complete the individual school’s School Information Form (SIF). This form will also have an application deadline.

32. What are each school’s admission criteria?

Each school’s admission criteria can be found in the admissions section of its website, with links provided on this site.

Please note that each school has its own specific criteria, and having taken the Consortium test does not guarantee eligibility to apply to any Consortium school. It is important to carefully review the criteria for any school you are considering applying to.

33. Should my Primary school help my child prepare for the VR Test?

No, your primary school is not responsible for helping your child prepare for the Verbal Reasoning (VR) test. Unlike Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning is not part of the Key Stage 2 National Curriculum, and primary schools are not obligated to adjust their curriculum for Consortium test preparation. Teachers are also prevented from coaching students for these tests to maintain impartiality in the secondary transfer process.

Preparation for the Verbal Reasoning test should be done at home using comparable tests and age-appropriate reading materials, and this responsibility falls to the parents. The Mathematics test, however, is based on the Key Stage 2 Maths curriculum, which is taught in primary schools.

Any requests for primary schools to get involved in disputes with test centres will be declined as this would conflict with the need for impartiality.

34. I have missed the deadline to register for the test.  Can I still register after the deadline?

If the deadline has passed, it will not be possible to register your child regardless of your circumstances.

The Consortium has jointly taken the view that no late registrations will be permitted for the following reasons:

• Registration for the tests will run from 8th April 2024 until 14th June 2024 which is a period of almost ten weeks. If you have not been physically able to make an application yourself, your primary school would undoubtedly have assisted if you had asked.
• In order to assist the primary schools in alerting their Year 5 parents to the test process, notifications are sent out to Hertfordshire County Council and over 170 primary schools both in the state and independent sector across Herts, Herts/Bucks borders and the London Boroughs that surround Hertfordshire.  These notifications are sent in January, early April and again in early June. The vast majority of these schools onforward the information to their parents, however, it is neither their nor our responsibility to ensure that you receive an email making you aware of the details of the test.
• Information regarding testing is widely available in the public domain. The Test Calendar, setting out all relevant dates, has been available on all seven of the Consortium Schools websites since December 2023, making all dates publicly available for a period of almost six months prior to the commencement of registration.
• The Consortium Administration Team sends reminder advisories (as set out above) throughout April, May and June, asking the primary schools to remind parents of the closing date for registration.

To allow late registrations would effectively prejudice those parents who have met the deadline.  In fairness to those applicants, it has been agreed by the Headteachers of all the Consortium Schools that the deadline for registration will stand and no late applications will be permitted.

Whilst this means that your child cannot take the tests, it does not preclude you from applying for a place at any of the Consortium schools, since your school application will still be assessed under the applicable alternative criteria.  If you are not successful in obtaining a place and you believe your circumstances are exceptional, you will have the opportunity to appeal any rejection and cite the circumstances that prevented you from applying when presenting your case during the secondary transfer appeals process.

There are no exceptions to this ruling and we cannot enter into lengthy correspondence in this regard.

35. What is the process in the case of adverse circumstances during a test?

From time to time, adverse circumstances may occur during a test which could affect a student’s performance. In such cases, the JCQ Special Consideration process will be used. JCQ Special Consideration is not designed specifically for 11+ entrance tests, but is applied to a wide range of national qualifications including GCSEs and A Levels. Given that this process is considered suitably rigorous for use in national qualifications, and in the absence of a specific Special Consideration process for 11+ tests, the South West Herts Consortium considers it the most appropriate process for dealing with such circumstances.

Students will be eligible for Special Consideration where performance in the 11+ test/s is materially affected by adverse circumstances beyond their control occurring during the test. Where an adverse circumstance occurs for a whole cohort in a test venue, and it is clear to South West Herts Consortium staff that all students present were affected, the Headteacher of the school at which the test was taken will inform the South West Herts Consortium Chair, Deputy Chair and Admissions Secretary in writing within 2 working days. Full details of the incident and how it affected the students present will be included. This trio will then consider whether it is appropriate to apply special consideration and will document the incident and decision making.

Where an adverse circumstance occurs for an individual in a test venue, the parent/carer must write to the South West Herts Consortium Admissions Secretary providing the details of the adverse circumstance and how it affected their child. The South West Herts Consortium Chair, Deputy Chair and Admissions Secretary will then consider whether it is appropriate to apply special consideration and will document the incident and decision making. Reports of adverse circumstances must be made by 31st October in the year in which the test is sat. Submissions after this date will not be considered.

Where a report of adverse circumstances is accepted, special consideration will be given by applying an allowance of additional marks to each test paper affected. To accept a report of adverse circumstances, the South West Herts Consortium must be satisfied that there has been a material detrimental effect on candidate’s test performance as a result of an adverse circumstance occurring at the test venue, during the test. 

The size of the allowance depends on the timing, nature and extent of the adverse circumstance. The maximum allowance will be 5% of the total raw marks available in the test concerned. 

The outcome of a report of adverse circumstances will be notified in writing via email by 21st November in the year of the test. Where applicable, the South West Herts Consortium will inform parents/carers of their child’s updated Standardised Age Score (SAS) for use in making decisions about their Secondary Transfer preferences.

Where relevant, this will enable parents/carers to modify their Secondary Transfer applications via the Hertfordshire County Council website in advance of the late applications deadline which is at the start of December annually.

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DATA PROTECTION NOTICE: The information provided for the purposes of registration for the South West Herts Schools Consortium tests is treated as confidential. It is processed by the Consortium for the purposes of the South West Herts Schools Consortium testing process only and will be kept for a period of 12 months from registration, after which it will be deleted and will not be held centrally by the Consortium. Data held by the Consortium Schools individually will be subject to that school’s Data Protection Policy and Privacy Notices, issued by that School, available on its website and updated from time to time, and in line with current Data Protection laws.

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