Written question asked by Iris Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party) on Wednesday, 20 July 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 10 October 2005. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Basildon (Labour) on Monday, 12 September 2005 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

11-plus

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will undertake a technical analysis of the 11-plus transfer test.

Answer: The 11-plus transfer tests are conducted by the Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) on behalf of the Department of Education. CCEA commissions an external agency to develop tests. Each year, a technical analysis is undertaken as part of the development of the new tests, with extensive and rigorous testing and analysis to ensure their validity in terms of the elements of the subjects specified for the tests, that they reflect the relevant programmes of study and that the standard is consistent from year to year.

Secondary information