Considerations of Applications for Year 9

The Academy will band across the ability range of applicants for admissions to the Academy.

Invitations to sit the Fair Banding test will only be sent to those applicants that have applied directly to AUEA by 31st October 2024.

Fair banding Tests

The Fair banding tests are scheduled for the following dates:
 Saturday 9th November,  Saturday 16th November and Saturday 11th January 2025.

This is an invitation only event. 

Invitations will be sent directly to parents via email ater 31 October 2024 deadline.

8:30                           Students arrive – students to be signed in by parent/carer.

8:45                           Seated in the hall for instructions

9:15                           Assessment Part 1

10:00                         Break

10:10                         Assessment Part 2

10:55                         Break

11:05                         Assessment Part 3

11:50                         End of assessment 

12:00                         Students depart – collected and signed out by parents/carer

If you are late arriving, after 0900hrs,  you will not be allowed to sit the Fair Banding Test due to assessment examination conditions required.

Assessment Information

Students will be using an answer sheet, see an example of how students will need to mark the sheet by drawing a firm line through the middle of the letter click here

Students will be taking the GL CAT4 assessment which assesses:

  • Reasoning with words
  • Reasoning with numbers
  • Reasoning with shapes and designs
  • Thinking with and mentally manipulating precise shapes

These four scores provide a profile of abilities, which is standardised against performance in the assessment for students of the same age. Students will be banded into 5 groups based on their overall standardised score, which will be between 69 and 140. 

Band 1 >116

Band 2 106-115

Band 3 96-105

Band 4 86-95

Band 5 <85

Can I revise?

GL strongly advise against any kind of practice ahead of a CAT4 test as this will alter the reliability of test scores.

The purpose of CAT4 is that it is not a test of learnt knowledge and it needs to be as unaffected as possible by any external factors, such as practice. Think of it like an eye test; if you practice ahead of an eye test and memorise the card, your diagnosis may not be correct and valuable information may be missed.

Further information about the assessment can be found here: https://support.gl-education.com/knowledge-base/assessments/cat4-support/general-information/information-for-parents#article_should-my-child-revise-or-train-for-cat4-can-i-get-practice-tests

What to bring with me?

This is a paper assessment so applicants will need a HB pencil and eraser.

No other equipment is required for this.

Students must not bring a bag.

Students must not have a mobile phone or smart watch with them as these are not allowed under assessment conditions.

Students may bring a bottle of water and snack with them for breaktime.

Can parents wait for their child?

Parents to sign in and sign out their child at reception.  Parent can not wait onsite. 

All students must be signed in and signed out at reception by a parent/carer/sibling (over the age of 18 years).  No students will be allowed to leave AUEA without parental permission.

Where to park?

Aston University's Car Park 5 is on Holt Street which is at the rear of AUEA.  This is a pay and display car park.

Alternative parking is available on Love Lane (drop off only) and on Holte Street (pay and display).

For more information about visiting AUEA see Visiting AUEA