PAT and CogAT Testing
2020 Program
During Term 4, all students at the College from Years 4 - 10 will participate in Progressive Achievement Tests (PAT) in spelling, mathematics, vocabulary, reading, and science. Additionally, students in Years 7-9 will also complete the CogAT Test.
PAT tests are designed to assess each student’s current capability against the appropriate standard for their age. All students will be required to bring their device to complete the PAT assessments.
Scheduled testing sessions:
- Year 10 PAT Testing: Wednesday 25 November
- Year 7-9 PAT and CogAT Testing: Friday 27 November – Tuesday 1 December.
Unlike NAPLAN, the PAT assessments do not generate a student/parent report. However, student data is available to our teachers and is a valuable source of information on each student’s development. We use PAT data as one of the many tools to assess student progress and growth. This information is another useful tool for identifying those students who require extra support or extension in their studies.
The PAT testing process will be explained to all students and should not be seen as a stressful ‘pass or fail’ assessment. Students will be encouraged to view the tests as a way for teachers to learn more about their capabilities and then design programs that enhance their learning. Please contact Grant Barclay if you have any concerns about the PAT testing process.
Further information and resources relating to PAT testing can be found here.
The CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test) measures the level and pattern of cognitive development of a student compared to age as well as grade cohorts. These general reasoning abilities, which start developing at birth and continue through early adulthood, are influenced by experiences gained both in and out of school.
The CogAT measures three different cognitive abilities:
- the verbal section measures a child’s ability to remember and transform sequences of English words, to understand them and to make inferences and judgments about them
- the quantitative section measures a child’s understanding of basic quantitative (numerical) concepts and relationships, and
- the non-verbal section measures reasoning using pictures and geometric shapes. This section reduces the impact of language on the student’s score.
This test aids in understanding a student’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses and again, helps teachers to tailor classroom teaching practices.
Grant Barclay and Emma Ramke
Head of Student Progress/ Acceleration and Enrichment Teacher