Check out Nagwa Classes for the effective and affordable way to prepare for your 11+ Exam! www.nagwa.com/en/uk/classes/
In this video we’ll be talking about the history of the 11+ exam, exploring its origins and looking at how it has evolved over time.
Origins of the 11+ Exam:
The 11+ exam was first introduced in the UK as part of the Education Act of 1944. It was taken every year by students in their final year of primary school. Initially, the exam was used all over England and Wales to figure out what kind of school each student should go to after finishing their primary education.
In what was known as the tripartite system of education, the three different types of schools students could go to were grammar schools, technical schools, and secondary modern schools. Grammar schools were best suited to academic students who wanted to go to University. Technical schools were ideal for students who wanted to go into a specific industry or occupation directly after school. Secondary Modern schools were supposed to provide all round education and were where the majority of students went. The 11+ exam quickly became very competitive as many students wanted to go to highly prestigious grammar schools.
By the 1960s there was concern that this tripartite school system was unfair, because grammar schools often received more funding than the other schools. The government at the time wanted to introduce a fairer system of comprehensive schools. A consequence of this was that students did not need to take the 11+ exam to determine which school they went to. Nowadays, only students that apply to certain selective schools take the exam.
Evolution of the 11+ Exam:
As the education system in the UK has evolved so has the 11+ exam. The original exam had three sections focusing on writing, arithmetic, and general problem solving. For the writing section students had to produce an essay on a given topic. The arithmetic section was essentially a mental maths test. And the general problem solving section tested both the student’s general knowledge and their ability to apply it.
But over time, the subjects covered by the exam have expanded to include verbal and non-verbal reasoning. These sections focus more on a student’s use of logic, rather than their knowledge. These sections can involve word play, pattern recognition, code breaking, and more. Some schools also include science and creative writing in their 11+ Exam.
Conclusion:
The 11+ exam has a long and complex history in the UK. It was initially created to promote social mobility and improve educational standards. Today, the 11+ exam remains a selective tool used by some schools to determine which students they’ll accept.
If you enjoyed this video, then please consider subscribing to our channel. Thanks for watching, and see you in the next video!
Nagwa