Analysis of Accuracy of MidYIS Tests

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Analysis of Accuracy of MidYIS Tests

Introduction

This essay is an exploration into the relevance of MidYIS tests as a

predictor for results at GCSE Music. A comparison will be made between

two sets of skills: those assessed by the MidYIS test - taken by most

children in England at the beginning of year 9 - and those which,

according to exam boards and experienced music educators, are tested

at GCSE. Certain fundamental skills required for success at GCSE Music

cannot be tested in the MidYIS tests, and I would suggest that a

combination of MidYIS-type testing, musical intelligence assessment

and some measure of the amount and quality of musical experience

gained before embarking on the GCSE course would serve as a much more

relevant indicator of likely success, and a more appropriate baseline

from which to measure value added. However, the term 'success' needs

defining - many pupils who are excellent musicians even before they

reach year 9 may not obtain the highest marks at GCSE, and this begs

the question, what exactly does GCSE music test, the musicality of a

pupil (which will be discussed with reference to Howard Gardner's

theories of multiple intelligence) or a pupil's ability to 'jump

through the hoops' required to do well in this type of exam? Schools

continually have their statistics compared, and the practice of

comparing 'value added' through the means of a baseline test, is

undoubtedly fairer than simply comparing final results. However, if,

as I will argue, the baseline test is largely meaningless, music

departments should not be put in the difficult position of having to

justify any statistical 'evidence' of underac...

... middle of paper ...

...GCSE?

What is missing in the MidYIS and Bentley that is fundamental to GCSE?

Sum up how you could do a research project into MidYIS' relevance to

each section of the exam paper.

Conclude on whether the MidYIS test is important.

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[1] http://cem.dur.ac.uk/MidYIS/ (accessed on 22 May 2002)

[2] http://cem.dur.ac.uk/MidYIS/documents/newsletter6.doc (accessed on

23 May 2002, published January 2000)

[3] http://cem.dur.ac.uk/MidYIS/Psa.htm (accessed on 22 May 2002)

[4] http://cem.dur.ac.uk/MidYIS/documents/newsletter6.doc (accessed on

23 May 2002, published January 2000)

[5] http://cem.dur.ac.uk/MidYIS (accessed on 25 May)

[6] http://cem.dur.ac.uk/MidYIS/documents/newsletter7.doc (accessed on

23 May 2002, published Spring 2000)

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