Cate in NZ Posted September 12, 2006 Share Posted September 12, 2006 OK, another question for all those of you with experience of the education system...... and all the interminable testing that seems to go on in schools these days Daughter came of from school yesterday a little anxious as she'd spent all morning sitting CATs tests (at least I'm certain that's what she called them). She's not the most academically gifted child, although that said she's a long way from stupid, but she really, really needs to work to achieve... it doesn't come easy for her. That said fortunately she is a hard worker and has always got solid results. Yesterday she was concerned because these tests were sprung on them without warning.... and therefore no chance for revision, although they were apparently of the verbal/ non-verbal reasoning variety, and she was told that they were predictors for GCSE performance. Is this right? She's now concerned that if she didn't do well it'll influence the school in assisting her to choose her GCSE's. I've been trying to reassure her, but it's hard to sound too convincing when you haven't got the first idea what you're talking about By the way, she's just gone into year 9. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 12, 2006 Share Posted September 12, 2006 I think it's Cognitive Ability Test - a kind of a cross between an IQ test and SATS - testing more elusive stuff than simple academic ability - spacial awareness, reasoning ability - that kind of thing... some schools use them in yr 7 - but my oldest is in yr 10 and I don't think he's done them - though he doesn't tell me everything... some schools do them every year... (it's nowt to worry about!) I think schools use them as indicators for future results in GCSEs / A levels - depending on what age they are done at... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted September 12, 2006 Author Share Posted September 12, 2006 Thanks Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola H Posted September 12, 2006 Share Posted September 12, 2006 Kate try looking here to find out more CATS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted September 13, 2006 Share Posted September 13, 2006 The children at my KS2 school do them every year. They are great! They are Cognative ability tests, as Phil said and there are three different ones (batteries): Verbal ability, Quantative ability and non verbal ability. Each test is about 20 mins long. They allow teachers to match achievement against potential: These being a measure of potential. Its a great way of basically seeing who is working below, at, or beyond their innate ability levels and also to see if any child has a particular weakness in any one area. They allow us to push the lazy and appreciate those who are at full pelt! By the way, they can't revise for them, so don't panic! Our kids love doing them, as they are so different! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted September 13, 2006 Share Posted September 13, 2006 I thought that CATs were something medical or how to find underground cables As in a man went to the doctors feeling decidely under the weather. The doctor got him to get on the couch and then left the room. A couple of seconds later a large black dog came in with a book of suduko in his mouth, left it on the couch and left. Whilst the man was trying to do the suduko a small tabby cat came in. She jumped up on the couch and spent the next five minutes staring, unblinking at the man. She then left. This was very confusing for the man The doctor returned and told the man he was completely fit and no need to worry. He then handed the man a bill for £1500. WHAT ON EARTH IS THE BILL FOR???? the man cried - all you did was get me to lie on the couch and two animals came in?????!!!! Ah, Well, replied the doctor those lab tests and cat scans dont come cheap............ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted September 13, 2006 Share Posted September 13, 2006 We had to do those in year 7. If you get over 100 it's really good. All of mine where over 100! I'm in the top 10% at school, which means I get to do Gifted and Talented things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paola Posted September 13, 2006 Share Posted September 13, 2006 I thought that CATs were something medical or how to find underground cables As in a man went to the doctors feeling decidely under the weather. The doctor got him to get on the couch and then left the room. A couple of seconds later a large black dog came in with a book of suduko in his mouth, left it on the couch and left. Whilst the man was trying to do the suduko a small tabby cat came in. She jumped up on the couch and spent the next five minutes staring, unblinking at the man. She then left. This was very confusing for the man The doctor returned and told the man he was completely fit and no need to worry. He then handed the man a bill for £1500. WHAT ON EARTH IS THE BILL FOR???? the man cried - all you did was get me to lie on the couch and two animals came in?????!!!! Ah, Well, replied the doctor those lab tests and cat scans dont come cheap............ Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, heeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, heeeeeeeeeee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swindon_clucker Posted September 13, 2006 Share Posted September 13, 2006 I did two cats one set in year 2 or 3 and another in year 7. Because I did well along with some other people i got into the National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth. Evry so often the school takes NAGTY students on places like we\ did a moviemaker challenge at the county ground and thigs like tht. IM IN YEAR 9 TO!!!I'm more worried about SATS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted September 14, 2006 Share Posted September 14, 2006 I did two cats one set in year 2 or 3 and another in year 7. Because I did well along with some other people i got into the National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth. Evry so often the school takes NAGTY students on places like we\ did a moviemaker challenge at the county ground and thigs like tht. IM IN YEAR 9 TO!!!I'm more worried about SATS I'm not very worried about SATS, you shouldn't get in a worried state about them! I'm more worried about my Science and Maths GCSE. I've found out my first modular exam is in February! You see I'm taking them over year 9 and 10 as I'm doing them a year early. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swindon_clucker Posted September 14, 2006 Share Posted September 14, 2006 I'm not worried just not looking forwards to them as I don't enjoy tests. Shame about your GCSE's must be a pain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted September 14, 2006 Share Posted September 14, 2006 I know what you mean about tests-there's too many pointless ones at school such as SATS . I don't mind doing my GCSE's this year-I'm weird and enjoy the challenge! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted September 14, 2006 Author Share Posted September 14, 2006 Thanks all for the reassurance and info about the CATs. Imy seems to be happier about them as well now. She's just a worrier about tests and exams, likes to be prepared, well revised and to have her little rituals around packing pencil cases with everything she might need and the current lucky charm, whatever it may be... and felt a little disconcerted that she hadn't been prepared for these tests. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted September 14, 2006 Share Posted September 14, 2006 No preparation needed! Completely nothing to worry about. I'm sure she'll be fine and the results will really help her to know just how clever she really is, so it will actually be a great thing for her to do. If you want any interpretation on the results when they come, I'm happy to help you. Go Immy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted September 14, 2006 Author Share Posted September 14, 2006 Thanks Annie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted September 15, 2006 Share Posted September 15, 2006 They don't let you do revising as they want to get an accurate representation of what your scores actually are. Otherwise you get a very unnaccurate one-like SATS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
