This article provides information on how to administer PAT Reading 5th Edition tests to your students.
The following topics are covered here:
- Preparation
- Instructions
- Delivery
-
Supporting documents
- Test administration instructions
- Accessibility guidance
The test administration instructions linked at the bottom of this article provide further detail, including teacher scripts and troubleshooting tips.
Also linked at the bottom of the article is a PAT Online Assessments Accessibility Guidance document, which provides further advice on administering tests with students who require additional support.
Preparation
The following steps need to be completed ahead of time:
- Check the technical requirements and run the browser exam from a student device to identify any potential technical issues.
- Schedule your testing date and time. It is best to administer tests in the morning and not immediately before or after an exciting school event.
- Ensure that all students are listed within your school's online assessment account and have been assigned the necessary tests.
- Review and assign appropriate test levels to all students according to their ability.
- Download or print a list of your students' login details.
- Make note of your school's online assessment login page, or make sure that the URL is saved on student devices, or available to your students as a link. The address will be similar to https://oars.acer.edu.au/your-school-name.
Instructions
Students are permitted 40 minutes to complete their PAT Reading 5th Edition tests. This should be enough time for all students and maintaining consistency in the time allowed will support better comparisons when analysing results. You may apply professional judgement in allowing a small amount of extra time if students require it.
- Tests should be administered under standard testing conditions with invigilation.
- Students' screens should be monitored as part of test invigilation.
- Students are permitted to use pen/pencil and paper to make notes during the test.
If you determine that some students require changed testing conditions due to specific learning needs, these changes should be recorded for future reference. The process for determining and implementing any changes to test conditions should be consistent between classes and across the school.
Delivery
- Students will not be automatically locked out of the tests after the allowed time passes. You must monitor and manage the time, including accommodating toilet breaks or other interruptions that may occur.
- Student responses are automatically saved each time they navigate to another question.
- If technical problems cause the need to postpone the completion of the tests, students may close the browser without losing their progress.
- iPads and tablet devices must be held in landscape orientation.