Online testing in schools

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NEW! In the spotlight: CAT4 Digital CAT4 is the fourth edition of GL Assessment’s well established Cognitive Abilities Test, the UK’s most widely used test of reasoning abilities. Fully standardised, it has been developed to support schools in understanding pupils’ developed abilities and likely academic potential. Results from CAT4 can help in intervention, monitoring progress and setting targets for future attainment. Aimed at pupils from 7 to 17+ years, CAT4 assesses a pupil’s ability to reason with and manipulate different types of material through a series of verbal, non-verbal, quantitative and spatial reasoning tasks. Together, these four batteries provide teachers with a comprehensive profile of a pupil’s reasoning abilities, and as such the core abilities related to learning. Sample spatial ability question. The resulting data can then be used to identify a pupil’s strengths, weaknesses and learning preferences, providing accurate and reliable information that is essential for personalised learning. Data rich reports One of the most exciting features of CAT4 is the development of a brand new suite of reports, offering richer and more comprehensive assessment data. Users of CAT4 Digital automatically receive an enhanced Group Report for teachers, available as soon as the test is completed. Comprising more narrative than CAT3, reports are much easier to read and understand, helping you to interpret the data fully. Seven additional reports are also available, each of which can be purchased separately and provided online. Designed with specific audiences in mind, the reports appear in a range of different formats from PowerPoint ® presentations for school leadership teams and governing bodies to easy-to-understand reports for parents and pupils. These explain what the data mean and how pupils can be supported in their learning, both at home and at school. • CAT4 Individual report for teachers • CAT4 Individual report for students • CAT4 Individual report for senior leaders • CAT4 Summary report for senior leaders • CAT4 Summary presentation for senior leaders • CAT4 Excel report • CAT4 Cluster report. Included in the Group Report for teachers is an analysis that assigns all pupils to one of seven broad descriptions of their preferences for learning. For example, pupils with ‘Moderate verbal bias’ are likely to prefer to learn through reading, writing and discussion. In contrast, pupils in the ‘Extreme spatial bias’ category are likely to be high achievers in subjects that require good visualspatial skills such as maths, physics and technology. However, owing to a relative weakness in verbal skills, attainment may be uneven and they may need support in subjects where the emphasis is on the written word. 10
Why use CAT4 Digital? • It identifies a pupil’s strengths, weaknesses and learning preferences, providing essential information for personalised learning. • CAT4 is unique in the way it can unlock potential. In other words, it can identify a pupil with high level ability who may have been overlooked or who is in danger of underachieving. • Latest research has confirmed the importance of assessing pupils’ spatial ability in order to develop and support spatial skills, which are the basis for success in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects and careers. The new separate Spatial Battery in CAT4 supports this. • Results can help in intervention, monitoring progress and setting targets for future attainment. • A brand new suite of easy-to-understand reports offers richer and far more comprehensive assessment data. • Different reports are available for teachers, senior leaders, parents and pupils. • CAT4 has been newly standardised to provide accurate, up-todate data. • It can be used to inform appropriate target setting, with indicators of attainment provided at KS2, KS3 and KS4 – including new ‘If challenged’ indicators. • GCSE indicators are available for 30 subjects as are AS/A Level indicators for 21 subjects, Scottish Standard Grade indicators for 21 subjects, and key subject indicators for Int1 and Int2 in Scotland. Sample quantitative reasoning question. Online testing in action CAT4 Digital Demonstrating pupil potential is now a requirement for all schools, including primary schools. As a result, many of our users have decided to start testing with CAT as early as the end ofYear 3 (P4) or the beginning ofYear 4 (P5). In this way, primary schools are left with a realistic time-frame before transition to secondary to deal with some of the issues raised by CAT. CAT4 Digital is particularly suitable for primary schools keen to follow this lead. Not only are results provided immediately, enabling intervention plans to be put in place without delay, digital testing is often found to be less daunting, especially by younger pupils not used to traditional ‘paper and pen’ testing methods. Engaging, full-colour graphics increase motivation and concentration is helped by showing only one question at a time on the screen. CAT Interpretation & Analysis Services To help schools gain full benefit from CAT and enable them to embed fully the power of CAT predictions into teaching and learning, GL Assessment offers comprehensive Interpretation & Analysis Services for both CAT3 and CAT4. Customers can choose between the CAT Workshop and the CAT Consultancy Service for an even deeper and more strategic level of analysis, aided by partnership with a skilled facilitator. For CAT3 users, a Strategic Report is also available. See www.gl-assessment.co.uk/catanalysis In addition, we offer four professional development modules to help schools get more from their CAT data.These modules are available for both CAT3 and CAT4. Visit www.gl-performance.co.uk/datainterpretation For more information, please contact us: T: 0845 602 1937 (option 3) E: pds@gl-assessment.co.uk Sample question from CAT4 Level A, suitable from 7 years 6 months. 11
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Online testing in schools

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