This article provides information on how to choose and assign suitable PAT Maths 4th Edition test levels to your students. The following topics are covered:
- Importance of choosing the right test
- Previewing the tests
- Recommended test levels
- Supporting documents
Importance of choosing the right test
For an assessment to produce valuable information about students’ abilities, it needs to be appropriately targeted to uncover what students can do and understand, as well as what they cannot yet do and understand.
So, when a student responds correctly to approximately 50% of questions, the test is well targeted and provides the maximum information about the skills a student is demonstrating, and those they are still developing.
Previewing the tests
To make decisions about which test is most appropriate for a particular student or group of students, it is essential that you preview the test content:
- Click Students
- Click Tests
- Click Preview
The difficulty of a test and your knowledge of each student should be taken into consideration when selecting an appropriate test form. Curriculum appropriateness and the context of the classroom also need to be taken into account when making this decision.
There is often a wide range of ability within the classroom, so it is not necessary to provide all students in a class with the same test. Instead, the focus should always be on each student’s ability at the time of the assessment, not where they are expected to be.
Recommended test levels
| Test level | Generally suitable for | No. of questions | Time allowed | Calculators |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test 1 | End of year 1 or start of year 2 | 30 | 40 minutes | Calculators should not be used. |
| Test 2 | End of year 2 or start of year 3 | 29 | ||
| Test 3 | End of year 3 or start of year 4 | 35 |
The decision to allow standard or scientific calculators for these forms should be determined and implemented school wide. Students may not use a calculator for the last four questions. Computer Algebra System (CAS) calculators should not be used. |
|
| Test 4 | End of year 4 or start of year 5 | 35 | ||
| Test 5 | End of year 5 or start of year 6 | 35 | ||
| Test 6 | End of year 6 or start of year 7 | 40 | ||
| Test 7 | End of year 7 or start of year 8 | 40 | ||
| Test 8 | End of year 8 or start of year 9 | 40 |
A calculator will be required for some items in these tests. Computer Algebra System (CAS) calculators should not be used. |
|
| Test 9 | End of year 9 or start of year 10 | 40 | ||
| Test 10 | End of year 10 | 40 |