International Benchmark Tests (IBT)

Test Content

English

Questions in the IBT are based on reasoning and thinking skills which underpin the subject specific content domain. In English the skills assessed are: locating information, inferring, predicting, drawing conclusions and reasoing.

The strands in English are:

  • Reading Comprehension;
  • Spelling;
  • Punctuation;
  • Grammar; and
  • Vocabulary

Science

Questions in the Science component of IBT are based on problem solving and thinking skills which underpin the subject specific content domain. In Science these skills include observing and measuring, interpreting data, inferring, predicting, drawing conclusions, reasoning and problem solving.

The strands in Science are:

  • Earth Science (atmosphere, structure of earth and universe);
  • Physical Science (properties of matter, energy, motion); and
  • Life Science (cells and organisms, environment of organisms, biological evolution)

Mathematics

Questions in the Mathematics component of IBT are based on problem solving and thinking skills which underpin the subject specific content domain. In Mathematics these skills include interpreting data, inferring, predicting, drawing conclusions, reasoning and problem solving.

The strands in Mathematics are:

  • Number;
  • Measurement;
  • Space Chance; and
  • Chance and Data