This article provides information on how to choose and assign suitable PAT Maths Secondary Transition Edition test levels to your students.
The following is covered here:
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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
If you would like to preview the pen-and-paper PAT Maths Secondary Transition Edition test forms online prior to purchase, please Submit a request to our team to allow us to add the test forms to your online account and then follow the below instructions to preview the forms.
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 within your account:
- 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
PAT Maths Secondary Transition Edition comprises two pen-and-paper test forms intended to support the assessment of students as they transition into secondary school.
Test A and Test B are suitable for either Year 6 or Year 7 students. However, Test B is the more difficult test based on the mean item difficulty.
| Test level | Mean item difficulty (scale score) |
Generally suitable for | No. of questions | Recommended time allowed |
| Test A | 126.7 | Year 6, Year 7 | 40 | 40 mins |
| Test B | 131.0 |