Norm Referenced, Standardized Tests (The CAT Test)
05Aug, 2019
Norm referenced – A student’s results are compared to those obtained by the large representative sample of students across Canada that took the test when it was created.
- Standardized- All children are given the same opportunity. The test is given in the same way and with the same time limit and graded against the same ‘norms’
- The CAT4 tests mathematics, reading, language skills, and spelling.
- We use the CAT4 as a tool to confirm our observations of each child.
We use the Canadian Achievement Test (CAT4) because it:
- Is short, requiring only 4 hours of time split over 3 days
- Requires no lengthy preparation of students
- Gives results in basic math and language skills
- Is used by the majority of independent schools in Ottawa
We administer the CAT4 annually at the end of May beginning in the second year of Lower Elementary (Grade 2). The CAT4 takes the students about 4 hours which we spread over 3 days. We send the students’ answers off to be scored and we receive results about students’ basic math and language skills.
We share the results of the CAT4 test with our families at the end of June as a small part of our review of a student’s progress.