2012 statistics of round 1

2012 Round 1 statistics, by Martin Edwardes

Here are the results of the round 1 tests (at Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced levels). First, some participation figures:

Foundation: 436 pupils from 32 schools (compare 2011: 390 pupils from 15 schools). 166 were boys, 270 were girls.
Intermediate: 506 pupils from 48 schools (compare 2011: level not sat). 226 were boys, 280 were girls.
Advanced: 1,110 pupils from 90 schools (compare 2011: 833 pupils from 52 schools). 557 were boys, 553 were girls.

The Male/Female figures show that Foundation level entries tend slightly to be girls (2011: slightly to be boys), Intermediate level entries tend slightly to be girls (2011: level not sat) and Advanced entries are very even (2011: strongly to be girls).

Foundation level results

The paper was marked out of 45, the highest mark was 36 and the lowest was 3. The mean was 19.6. In other words, the typical participant could cope with just under half the questions. The figures below summarise the national picture.

Year	Number	Average	Std Dev	Range
7	93	17.8	6.3	3-31
8	204	17.9	7.1	3-33
9	82	24.0	6.8	4-34
10	46	21.2	6.9	6-29
11	6	21.8	—	8-36

Four students were unclassified by year. The one year 4 student scored a creditable 11.

The figures show an erratic increasing skill level from year to year. The drop in average for years 10 and 11 is probably due to the fact that these students were selected or self-selected to sit the Foundation rather than the Intermediate paper. The SD for Year 11 is based on an insufficient population, so is not meaningful.

As last year, many students took the test in teams, especially in the younger age groups.

Distribution of Foundation level scores by National Curriculum year

Intermediate level results

The paper was marked out of 70, the highest mark was 68 and the lowest was 6. The mean was 37.7. In other words, the typical participant could cope with just over half the questions. The figures below summarise the national picture.

Year	Number	Average	Std Dev	Range
9	185	32.7	14.7	6-64
10	212	37.7	16.7	6-65
11	95	48.3	13.4	7-68
12	12	27.9	—	15-58
13	2	58.0	—	58

The figures show an erratic increasing skill level from year to year. The drop in average for year 12 is probably due to the fact that these students were selected or self-selected to sit the Intermediate rather than the Advanced paper. The SDs for Years 12 and 13 are based on insufficient populations, so they are not meaningful.

Some of the students took the test in teams, especially in year 9, but most sat the test as individuals.

Distribution of Intermediate level scores by National Curriculum year

Advanced level results

The paper was marked out of 95, the highest mark was 95 and the lowest was 3. The mean was 56.6. In other words, the typical participant could cope with about 60% of the paper. The figures below summarise the national picture.

Year	Number	Average	Std Dev	Range	Bronze	Silver	Gold	Round 2
8	8	52.5	—	26-74		1
9	20	43.5	19.1	12-77	1	1
10	103	52.6	18.8	7-90	16	11	4	2
11	157	59.5	17.7	6-93	37	29	9	2
12	554	56.1	17.2	5-95	113	52	32	7
13	250	58.8	18.5	3-91	44	41	22	6

18 students scored zero. It is not clear whether they sat the test and did not score, or did not sit the test. They have therefore been excluded from the results listed above.

The figures show a wide range of marks in most years. The skill level, while it does not increase smoothly from year to year, nonetheless does have a general upward trend over the age groups. The high result for year 8 is a product of low numbers, and the probable selection of only the brightest students to take the test at this level. The drop in average for year 12 may reflect the number of entries from schools new to the Olympiad, which are concentrated in year 12. The SDs for year 8 is based on an insufficient population, so is not meaningful. The population for year 9 is marginal, but the SD has been included.

17 students have gone through to round 2. The original planned number of 16 students was increased by one to accommodate a tie for 16^th place.

Distribution of Advanced level scores by National Curriculum year

Comparative Averages

The averages for each year for each level have been normalized to 100% of possible marks for comparison purposes. The figures are given below, in table and graphical form.