Technology Aptitude Assessment

June 2010

Dear Parent(s)

Thank you for taking an interest in applying for a place at the West Bridgford School through the technological aptitude assessment.

As a Specialist Technology College, the West Bridgford School allocates up to 10% of its places (22) based on technological aptitude. These places are allocated after offers have been made to those that live within the catchment area. For the assessment we utilise a test based on spatial reasoning.

The assessment will take place at the school on the dates listed below and will take the form of a paper exercise lasting approximately one hour. Your child should bring a pen, pencil, rubber and sharpener with which to complete the assessment.

Please complete the enclosed Aptitude Assessment Application form and return this to the school no later than one week prior to the preferred date; parents must also complete the Common Application form (CAF) for Nottinghamshire Schools and return it to the local authority in the usual way. Please note that sitting the assessment is not considered an application in itself.

Parents should note that their child can only attend one of the assessment dates. Further guidance about the nature of the assessment is enclosed. 

Assessment Dates                           Time

Saturday, 2 October 2010                  9:00 am   (arrival time 8:45 am/collection time 10:00am)

Saturday, 9 October 2010                 9:00 am   (arrival time 8:45 am/collection time 10:00am) 

Monday, 11 October 2010                 9:00 am   (arrival time 8:45 am/collection time 10:00am) 

Open Evening                                     Time

Wednesday, 29 September 2010   6:00 pm 

Yours sincerely

Elaine Aldridge

PA to Headteacher and Admissions Officer

Please click link below to access application form

Technology Aptitude Application Form

 

 

 

THE WEST BRIDGFORD SCHOOL

and Specialist Technology College

GUIDANCE NOTES

Applied Technology Assessment

The assessment comprises four separately timed subtests, each of which is preceded by oral instructions, examples and practice questions, so we can ensure that every pupil understands the nature of the tasks.

The assessment assesses the ability to do a range of cognitive tasks that all involve dealing with shape and space, such as mentally combining and rotating shapes, or imagining how they would look from different viewpoints.

The types of questions included in the test are chosen because they provide a range of age-appropriate spatial tasks that can be explained in simple language. The tasks relate to commonplace activities and are simple to understand. Reading is not required, since the instructions are read aloud to the pupils and the timed sections of the test include no words beyond instructions when to turn over. The graphics used in the questions are not culturally-specific, so the test should be suitable for any pupil raised in the UK, whatever their ethnic origins.

The test consists of four types of question:

Hidden Shapes

This section assesses the key ability to create and hold onto an image of a shape that retains its true angles and relative proportions. Pupils have to search for a specific shape embedded in one of four more complex shapes.

Sections

These questions assess the ability to visualise a three-dimensional object from a two-dimensional drawing and imagine the effect of cutting it in two. Pupils have to pick which option shows the cross-section when a specific cut has been made.

Jigsaws

This task extends the process needed for Hidden Shapes to include combining and rotating images of shapes. Pupils have to imagine a number of shapes arranged to create a design.

Wallpaper

This type of task assesses the ability to visualise the continuation of a two-dimensional pattern by gauging the position of elements of the pattern that are hidden from view. Pupils have to select how the pattern would look through a hole in the screen which covers part of the pattern.

 

PLEASE GO TO THIS LINK  ***(to follow)       FOR THE APPLICATION FORM