NZCER  has designed the standardised PATs with two fundamental reasons  in mind:

  1. To provide a set of research-based, externally created items that provide teachers with reliable evidence from which to make valid analysis of student achievement against the curriculum. 
  2. To  provide a flexible, reliable tool design that allows kaiako to test students where they're at, rather than where they are expected to be

You will get the most relevant and accurate curriculum information of what a student knows, and doesn't know, when you choose a test that matches the student's level of ability. Too often standardised tests have been given to students that were not appropriate for their level of ability - either too hard or too easy. It was a common misconception that students in the same year level had to sit the same test, but the PATs/STAR/S:TwE were never designed to be used in this way.


 If students are at least atwo year levels behind or beyond  where they are expected to be, you need to consider differentiating the test for them or selecting the adaptive test if available for that subject. 


The PATs/STAR/STwE are assessments for position and progress in the curriculum starting wherever the student's learning level is at (NB: PAT tests are not suitable for Phase 1 Yr 1 & 2 level learners learners).  The items within each test have been designed carefully and sit on the subject scale that aligns with a particular area of  curriculum learning. The student's scale score reflectsthe number they got correct at that level of the scale.


Identifying Student's Curriculum levels

The skills and knowledge for identifying a students actual learning level will be recorded in your SMS. 

 For kaiako looking for support to identify an outlier student's curriculum position the Assessment Resource Banks are an invaluable resource. They provide multiple activities, aimed at essential concepts, and are curriculum-leveled for Science, Maths, and English. (These ARBS have not been re-levelled to the Phases as yet but you use the year levels for each as a guide for the difficulty of the ARB)


For more specific subject information regarding year level tests for each subject, please click on the document below which will provide you with details for choosing the appropriate test for your students.