controversial 11-Plus exam yesterday hit out at Berkeley Institute's criticism of the committee's proposal.

Berkeley board of governors chairman Mr. Terry Lister last week said the board viewed the former part of the proposal, which allows children to sit separate entrance exams set up by Berkeley and Warwick Academy, as a setback of more than two decades to education.

"The establishment of two separate examinations sets back education 24 years to the pre-transfer common examination days when several high schools had their own examination and students were forced to sit multiple examinations,'' Mr. Lister said.

He said the board was also concerned that students, unsuccessful in obtaining a placement in their chosen school, would be considered last for placement in their neighbourhood school.

"Admittance should be based strictly on the student's geographic proximity to the school,'' Mr. Lister said, "that is students who would like to apply for entrance to a senior secondary school may write this (voluntary 11-Plus) examination but they should not be penalised in any way for doing so.'' But senior education officer Dr. Joseph Christopher, who chaired the proposal-making committee of teachers, principals and education officers, said the idea would not set back education because during pre-transfer common examination days "all'' schools were giving exams.

Now, he said, only two schools will have entrance exams and students will not be required to take both.

He said the committee proposed that Berkeley and Warwick set entrance exams "because the basic idea was that the interim proposal should be as close to long-term plans as possible''.

Warwick is expected to be completely private by 1995 and Government's education reform plans has designated Berkeley as one of Government's two senior secondary schools.