PAT Maths 4th Edition (released 2015) is underpinned by the PAT Maths construct, which allows educators to accurately and efficiently measure students’ abilities in Maths, to diagnose gaps, strengths and weaknesses in student learning, and monitor student progress over time.
The following articles provide more detailed information about using PAT Maths 4th Edition effectively:
- When to test with PAT Maths 4th Edition
- Choosing the right PAT Maths 4th Edition test
- Administering PAT Maths 4th Edition tests
- Using results from PAT Maths 4th Edition
About PAT Maths 4th Edition
PAT Maths 4th Edition aims to measure mathematical ability. It conceives of ability in mathematics as being more than just remembering mathematical facts and procedures. Students must be able to use their mathematical knowledge to solve problems, interpret data, and support or refute claims. To be able to do so, students must have a solid foundation in the basic skills and so must be able to quickly and accurately perform routine calculations.
PAT Maths 4th Edition comprises test forms ranging from Test 1 to Test 10 and can be administered according to student ability, based on previous scale score and educators' professional judgement. All students in a group respond to the same test items according to which of the ten available test forms they were assigned.
PAT Maths Adaptive (2021) uses students’ responses to actively determine the content as they progress through the test. Each student sees their own mix of test items as they progress through one of dozens of available testing pathways.
Related article: Getting started with PAT Maths Adaptive
The PAT Maths construct is the organising principle of the assessments; it is used to guide test development and structure the PAT reports. This structure is also part of the Progressive Achievement approach because the knowledge, skills and understanding represented in the tests are designed to support educators in identifying student needs.
Three overarching elements guide assessment development:
- Strands
- Proficiencies
- Contexts
The PAT Maths Assessment Framework document linked at the bottom of this page provides further detail about these components.
Strands
In both PAT Maths and the Australian Curriculum: Mathematics F–10, there are three strands used:
- Number and algebra
- Measurement and geometry
- Statistics and probability
Sub-strands
These are also the basis of the sub-strands in PAT Maths. There are eight sub-strands in PAT Maths:
- Whole number operations
- Fractions and decimals
- Money and financial maths
- Patterns and algebra
- Measurement
- Geometry
- Statistics
- Probability
Proficiencies
PAT Maths also addresses the mathematical proficiencies. These proficiencies are not discrete and an individual item will likely call on more than one of the four:
- Understanding
- Fluency
- Problem solving
- Reasoning
Contexts
Test items are each associated with a different context. A context is the situation within which the details of a test item or task are located, or the situation that generated the stimulus material for the task:
- Abstract
- Practical
- Individual
- Interactive
- External