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Assessment Details

PAT (Progressive Achievement Test) – Reading vocabulary: Revised 2008
Assessment Area English-Reading
Year level 4-10
NZ origin? Yes
Standardised? Yes , in 2007, with standardised administration.
Administration to individual or group? Either , although commonly used with groups of students.
What does it assess? Reading vocabulary
Purpose The tests are designed to assess students' ability to understand the words they read.
Validity To ensure validity, items were thoroughly reviewed. In addition, studies were carried out to ensure items could be calibrated on a single scale and that the scale linked appropriately with other vocabulary achievement scales.
Reliability There is evidence of test/retest reliability.
What measures does it give? Test scores convert to scale scores. They can be compared against national norms and converted into stanines. Progress of individuals and groups can be tracked longitudinally. National norms come from testing done at the beginning of the school year, so if students sit PATs towards the end of the year, it is best to compare their achievement against the national reference group for the next year level.
How long does it take to administer? Test time 45 minutes, 10 minutes for set up and practice questions
How much training is needed? Thorough read of the instructions in the manual.
Scoring and data analysis Simple to score, all multi choice. Black line masters allow teachers to produce student reports that map performance on different parts of the test. There is an online marking and analysis service. The service is available by subscription and provides a range of reports at the student, class, question and cohort level. To use the service, schools enter answer sheet information through an online portal. Alternatively, the service provides a machine marking. See www.NZCERMarking.org.nz for more information and costing.
Does it provide 'what next' strategies? Yes . Descriptions of the reading vocabulary skills that are typically present at different locations on the scales are provided, allowing formative as well as summative reporting. 'What next' strategies are also provided through the analysis service via item diagnostics and links to the assessment resource banks.
Is it available in te reo Maori? No
Cost? Sample costs September 2017, including GST: Teacher manual $31.00 Test booklets (each) $6.80 Answer sheets (pkg 10) $2.35 Marking keys $4.20 Starter kits from $50.00 Online marking: If you have an annual subscription to NZCER Marking: $25.00 for each subject area registration $2 per student, per online session
Author, date of publication and publisher Darr, McDowall, Ferral, Twist, Watson, 2008 Published by NZCER
Availability

Available from NZCER.

Further Information

 Features

  • Reading comprehension and reading vocabulary are combined in one booklet but they can be used as separate tests.
  • Test scores allow for formative as well as summative reporting.
  • Scale scores enable a student's level of achievement to be tracked from year to year.
  • Diagnostic reports are provided in the teacher manual.
  • The tests can be used at any time between February and November each year.
  • Tests can be used at two or more year levels.
  • The tests come as reusable booklets with separate answer sheets.

Each question is based around a key word that is embedded in a short sentence. Students are asked to choose a synonym that best represents the meaning of this word from a list of five plausible alternatives.

There are 7 tests in Reading Vocabulary designed to be used at year levels 4–10. The format is multichoice.

Scores from each test can be converted onto a common scale. The use of a common scale means that:

  •  Each test may be used at two or more year levels.
  •  Students in the same year level may complete different tests and still be compared on the same scale.
  •  Tests can be used any time between February and November.