Administering the Maths assessments

Modified on Wed, 2 Oct at 11:32 AM

Prior to the assessment

Prior to taking the test, learners should watch the familiarisation video. This can be completed on a separate day to taking the test. The maths assessments are made up of three tests: Test 1 Arithmetic, Test 2 Reasoning and Test 3 Reasoning. A break should be taken between tests if more than one test is taken on the same day, but tests can be administered on different days if preferred.

Starting the assessment

Select ‘Start test’ to begin.
A message will appear 'Are you sure you want to start the test?’
The learner should select ‘Yes’.
The test will automatically move to full screen mode.

Structure of the maths assessment

At the beginning of Test 1, learners will see a small number of practice questions. This section will not be timed. At the end of this section a screen will instruct learners to wait for their teacher to tell them to move on to the main test section.
Learners move through the tests by pressing the Next question button.
Once the learner has reached the last question, they should review their answers
Once they have selected End test, the test will be submitted for marking.
Learners will not be able to access Test 2 until they have completed Test 1 and will not be able to access Test 3 until they have completed Test 2.

Equipment

There is no special equipment needed for this test but learners should be provided with paper and a pencil for any working out they may need to do.

Do not supply learners with other equipment or support materials such as calculators, protractors, clocks, or number lines.

Timings

Year 3

5-10 minutes	Practice questions – a separate section that is untimed and unmarked appears automatically at the beginning of Test 1 arithmetic.
25 minutes	Test 1 Arithmetic
30 minutes	Test 2 Reasoning
30 minutes	Test 3 Reasoning

Year 4

5-10 minutes	Practice questions – a separate section that is untimed and unmarked appears automatically at the beginning of Test 1 arithmetic.
25 minutes	Test 1 Arithmetic
35 minutes	Test 2 Reasoning
35 minutes	Test 3 Reasoning

If learners reach the time limit, they will receive a notification telling them that they can finish the question they are on. Once they press the Next question button the test will be submitted for marking and set as complete. Pausing the test will pause the test timer.

Starting the session

Practice questions section (Test 1 only)

The purpose of the practice questions is to familiarise learners with some of the different types of questions they will come across in the test.
Learners can work through the practice questions independently, or they can work through them as a class with teacher support, if it is felt to be beneficial.
At the end of the practice section, learners will see a screen telling them to wait for teacher instructions to move onto the main test section. Once learners press the Next question button the timed main test section will begin. They will not be able to go back to the practice section.

Main test section

The first screen learners will see is an instructions page. If beneficial this can be read aloud by the teacher.
The test time automatically counts down once the instructions page is shown. You may want to give the class ‘countdowns’ at certain points during the session.
No extra time should be allowed except in the special circumstances outlined in the accessibility guidance article.
Once learners press the End Test button, they will not be able to change any of their answers and they will be returned to the learner home screen. Learners should be instructed not to start the next test until they are told to by their teacher.

Answering learners’ queries

Some learners will need further clarification about test technique. The following information may be adapted using words and phrases familiar to the learners, provided the meaning is retained:

They should think of their own answers and not discuss them with others.
They should not spend too long on one question – if a question proves difficult, they should leave it and try again later.
Spelling, punctuation, and grammar are not being assessed, so learners should not worry about these aspects.
Learners should be encouraged to do their workings out on the paper that is provided. For Show Your Working questions, learners should type their calculations in the working box on screen.
As the test should be conducted under normal testing conditions, learners should put their hand up if they need anything during the session.
If learners finish the test early, they should check their answers and go back and try any questions they have omitted.