Measures of Student Development (MSD)

Purpose

MSD tests are designed to be used in conjunction with achievement tests (for example class tests, NAPLAN and PAT tests) to identify students working at levels above or below their ability.  These students can be investigated further with a view to placing them in enrichment classes or to determine whether they require extra assistance.

 Features

• MSD tests measure ability rather than achievement
• MSD items are skills based rather than curriculum based
• MSD assesses a range of general reasoning skills appropriate to typical curricula at primary and secondary school level

Benefits

• Time of the year the test is conducted is a school decision
• Scoring and reporting is provided by ACER
• MSD can assess student performance within a year level
• MSD allows improvement in performance to be monitored over time
• MSD can predict performance at year 12