The old 11-plus, is there a connection?

by Rob
(Ipswich, Suffolk, UK)

Is there a connection between the 11 plus exam and IQ testing? If so, why do so many people admit(or not, as the case may be) to failing theirs? I would imagine that people would feel braver, or more likely to admit to such failures only after taking a modern day IQ test which are supposed to be geared to age.

Therefore, on that basis one's IQ should be a constant (at least theoretically). I scored and have scored consistently high marks in such tests but failed my 11 plus. This indicates that I am (dependent on who sets and marks these tests) in the top 2-5 percent of the population.

I therefore question the 11 plus exams ability to identify with any accuracy the more intelligent, or those who have the propensity to be intellectual, amongst us. It made a difference in my day of either being consigned to an also-ran Secondary Modern school or a Grammar school - a huge difference for future career prospects!

What say you?