PAT Reading - FAQs

Progressive Achievement Tests in Reading (PAT-R)

What year levels does PATReading cover?

PATReading-Comprehension covers the first year of school to Year 10. PATReading-Vocabulary covers Year 3 to Year 10. PATReading-Spelling covers Year 2 to Year 10.

Note that there is now no difference in year level norms between States and Territories.

What are the main features of the PATReading Fourth Edition?

A common achievement scale that
- measures student achievement in each of comprehension, vocabulary and spelling
- monitors student performance over time
- assists in planning effective and targeted teaching programs
Comprehensive norm, diagnostic and descriptive reports are available
A CD-ROM containing copy masters of administration instructions, score keys, diagnostic reports and Excel spreadsheet for recording group results

Can I see PATReading before I buy it?

Schools can obtain a PATReading specimen set on 30 days approval on a school order form through Customer Service or order online. A specimen set contains the manual, an example of each of the test booklets and answer sheets. There are three specimen sets to choose from:
- Whole School PATReading Specimen Set for Year Prep to Year 10
- Primary PATReading Specimen Set for Year Prep to Year 7
- Secondary PATReading Specimen Set for Year 6 to Year 10

What is the cost of using PATReading?

See the ACER online shop or the PATReading order form for details of all component prices. Remember that the test booklets are reusable so the ongoing costs will only be to replenish answer sheets.

How do I choose the right test booklet for my students?

Each test booklet is appropriate for a range of year levels, as shown below. When choosing a suitable test, both the curriculum content of the test and the ability level of the group taking the test should be considered.

These tests include items that match the general range of ability of students in the target year level. For example, Test Booklet 4 might be suitable for students below year 4, but in general it will be the most suitable for classroom use towards the end of year 4.

PATReading-Comprehension

Test Prep contains 23 questions – Year Prep or 1
Test 1 contains 18 questions – Year Prep or 1 or 2
Test 2 contains 25 questions – Year 1 or 2 or 3
Test 3 contains 28 questions – Year 2 or 3 or 4
Test 4 contains 30 questions – Year 3 or 4 or 5
Test 5 contains 34 questions – Year 4 or 5 or 6
Test 6 contains 35 questions – Year 5 or 6 or 7
Test 7 contains 35 questions – Year 6 or 7 or 8
Test 8 contains 34 questions – Year 7 or 8 or 9
Test 9 contains 37 questions – Year 8 or 9 or 10
Test 10 contains 36 questions – Year 9 or 10

PATReading-Vocabulary

Test 1 contains 35 questions – Year 3 or 4 or 5
Test 2 contains 36 questions – Year 4 or 5 or 6
Test 3 contains 38 questions – Year 6 or 7 or 8
Test 4 contains 40 questions – Year 7 or 8 or 9
Test 5 contains 40 questions – Year 8 or 9 or 10

PATReading-Spelling

Spelling List 1 contains 20 questions – Year 2 or 3
Spelling List 2 contains 20 questions – Year 2 or 3 or 4
Spelling List 3 contains 20 questions – Year 3 or 4 or 5
Spelling List 4 contains 25 questions – Year 4 or 5 or 6
Spelling List 5 contains 25 questions – Year 5 or 6 or 7
Spelling List 6 contains 25 questions – Year 6 or 7 or 8
Spelling List 7 contains 25 questions – Year 7 or 8 or 9
Spelling List 8 contains 25 questions – Year 8 or 9 or 10
Spelling List 9 contains 25 questions – Year 9 or 10

For more information see page 10 of the PATReading Teacher Manual.

How long does a test take to administer?

PATReading Comprehension Test Booklets 2 - 10 requires 40 minutes of testing time. Although PATReading Comprehension Test Prep and Test 1 have no time limits, the tests should take about 30 minutes and 40 minutes respectively. It is important that students be given time to consider their answers. However, the session can be stopped if the teacher judges that the students would not benefit from having more time to review their answers. PATReading Vocabulary requires 25 minutes of testing time and PATReading Spelling requires 10 minutes of testing time.

It is usual to allow 15 minutes for administration.

For more information see pages 12 to 30 of the PATReading Teacher Manual

What should I do to prepare for PATReading testing?

Assemble the test materials
Read administration instructions so you are familiar with the testing procedure
Read through the test content to ensure the level you have selected is appropriate for your students
Organise the logistics of testing: advising students, time of day, minimize disruptions, ensuring all teachers follow administration instructions carefully

For more information see page 12 to 20 of the PATReading Teacher Manual

What materials do I need to conduct PATReading testing?

A copy of the administration instructions for the teacher which is included in the Manual and on the CD-ROM.
The relevant test booklet and an OMR or Non-OMR answer sheet per student
A pencil, eraser, spare piece of blank paper per student
A clock or watch for timekeeping

Note that the test booklets are reusable; whereas an answer sheet will be required each time the test is given.

For more information see pages 12 to 30 of the PATReading Teacher Manual

What is the difference between OMR answer sheets and Non-OMR answer sheets?

OMR stands for Optical Mark Recognition. If using ACER Test Scoring Service, OMR answer sheets must be used. Non-OMR answer sheets are simpler for students to use and can be hand scored by teachers. Non-OMRs should not be sent to ACER Test Scoring Service as they cannot be scanned.

What is the procedure for marking PATReading?

If hand scoring, Score Keys are available in the manual and on the CD-ROM. Schools can also use the ACER Test Scoring Service. This service saves schools time by scoring students’ completed answer sheets and providing a range of reports.

For more information on scoring see Section 5 in the PATReading Teacher Manual.

What time of the year should I use PATReading?

Time of testing is a school decision, and purpose of the testing should guide when testing takes place. As norms for PATReading were collected in September, end of year testing is recommended. Results can then inform end of year reports, and can be passed on to the next year’s teacher as a starting point for instruction. If beginning of year testing is preferred, it is recommended that the previous year’s test and norms be used. For example, if Year 4 students are to be tested at the beginning of the year, then Test Booklet 3 should be used, and results compared to year 3 norms.

Should PATReading be administered more than once per year?

It is critical to schedule time for staff to analyse their results to get the most from the testing.

Results can be used at both group and individual level.

PATReading scale scores can be used to measure improvement over time.
Percentile ranks and stanines will provide a picture of how students’ results compare with results of students in the norm reference sample in the same year level across Australia.
Analysis of students’ performance across curriculum content strands will provide information to inform teaching practice.

In order to provide the most useful data to monitor student progress, it is essential that students have had an appropriate period of learning between administrations, preferably a year of schooling. The exception may be where a student was deemed to be assessed under inappropriate circumstances (such as illness) or requires another measure for a specific purpose (for example, an accelerated learning program)

Where can I go for assistance in using PATReading effectively?

Consultants can provide advice by email and telephone. Consultants can also provide professional development at staff meetings, network meetings etc. See home page for links to consultant details.

Progressive Achievement Tests in Reading (PAT-R)

FAQs