What are Standardised Tests?
Standardised tests are used to:
- Report to you as a parent on your child’s achievement in English reading and Maths.
- Help to find out if your child has learning difficulties in English reading or Maths so that the school can put appropriate supports in place.
- Help to find out if your child is a high achiever in English reading or Maths so that appropriate learning experiences can be provided for him.
- Help your child’s teacher plan for further learning across the curriculum because your child’s achievement in English reading and Maths is important for all his learning.
Are Standardised Tests Intelligence Tests?
No. Standardised tests are not intelligence tests. The main purposes of using standardised tests are to help the teacher plan your child’s learning, and to inform you about how well your child is doing in English reading and Maths. When the test scores are used alongside other information gathered by the teacher through observing your child at work, talking with them and looking at their work, they show how your child is getting on in English reading and Maths and help the teacher to identify your child’s strengths and needs.
What is a STen Score?
STen scores go from 1 to 10. The table below describes what the different STen scores tell you about your child’s achievement in English reading and maths.
|
STen score
|
What the score means
|
Proportion of children who get this score
|
|
8-10
|
Well above average
|
1/6
|
|
7
|
High average
|
1/6
|
|
5-6
|
Average
|
1/3
|
|
4
|
Low average
|
1/6
|
|
1-3
|
Well below average
|
1/6
|
If your child’s STen score is 5 or 6, you will know that their performance on the test is average. About one third of children in Ireland have STen scores in this band. You can see from the table that there are also STen scores above and below the average. As with other tests your child does in school, their result on a standardised test can be affected by how they feel on the test day or by worry or excitement about a home or school event. This means that each test result is an indication of your child’s achievement in English reading and maths. You play an important role in encouraging and supporting your child no matter what they score on the test.
