Exam chiefs fail the 11 plus test after setting Wirral pupils two ‘rogue’ questions

Oct 3 2012 by Ben Turner, Birkenhead News

MORE than a thousand Wirral pupils passed parts of their 11-plus grammar schools tests without having to lift a finger – due to two “rogue” questions.

Concerned school officials in the borough had raised the alarm with the local authority over the poor wording of a question on both parts of the tests.

Taken in two sittings, the tests are sat by primary school pupils as part of a bid to get a place at Wirral Grammar School for Girls, Wirral Grammar School for Boys, West Kirby Grammar School and Calday Grange Grammar School.

But when a number were left scratching their heads over the wording of one question, a staff member at one school had to clarify what was being asked – and flagged up the issue to Wirral Council.

It lead to all 1,600 pupils awarded a mark for the problem question and also given another mark for a crossed out question on the second part of the test which the council said may too “have caused uncertainty”.

External company GL Assessment which sets the questions did not respond.

But a Wirral’s Children and Young People’s Department spokesman said: “We discussed the matter with GL Assessment and awarded everyone one mark for each of these questions to ensure no-one was disadvantaged.’