PAT-SPG - FAQs

Progressive Achievement Tests in Written Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar

What year levels do PAT Written Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation cover?

PAT-SPG Written Spelling covers Year 2 to Year 10. PAT-SPG Grammar and Punctuation covers Year 3 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 new PAT-SPG?

Tests that reflect the emphasis on language in the English national curriculum
Comprises two components: Written Spelling and Grammar and Punctuation
Structured so that skills across a wide range of year levels can be assessed validly
Norm, diagnostic and descriptive reports similar to those provided for PAT-Reading
PAT-SPG Written Spelling is reported and normed on the existing PAT-R Spelling scale, providing a comprehensive assessment of spelling, both through dictation and written text.
CD-ROM containing copy masters of administration instructions, score keys, diagnostic reports and Excel spreadsheet for recording group results
Student reports giving descriptive and diagnostic information to describe performance in each of the strands

For more information see the PAT-SPG Teacher Manual

Can I see PAT-SPG before I buy it?

Schools can obtain a PAT-SPG 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.

What is the cost of using PAT-SPG?

See the ACER online shop or the PAT-SPG 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.

Written Spelling Booklets

Test Booklet 3 contains 30 questions Year 2 or 3 or 4
Test Booklet 4 contains 30 questions Year 3 or 4 or 5
Test Booklet 5 contains 30 questions Year 4 or 5 or 6
Test Booklet 6 contains 30 questions Year 5 or 6 or 7
Test Booklet 7 contains 30 questions Year 6 or 7 or 8
Test Booklet 8 contains 30 questions Year 7 or 8 or 9
Test Booklet 9 contains 30 questions Year 8 or 9 or 10
Test Booklet 10 contains 30 questions Year 9 or 10

Grammar and Punctuation Booklets

Test Booklet 3 contains 35 questions Year 3 or 4
Test Booklet 4 contains 35 questions Year 3 or 4 or 5
Test Booklet 5 contains 35 questions Year 4 or 5 or 6
Test Booklet 6 contains 35 questions Year 5 or 6 or 7
Test Booklet 7 contains 35 questions Year 6 or 7 or 8
Test Booklet 8 contains 35 questions Year 7 or 8 or 9
Test Booklet 9 contains 35 questions Year 8 or 9 or 10

For more information see page 13 and 14 of the PAT-SPG Teacher Manual.

How long does a test take to administer?

PAT-SPG Written Spelling requires 20 minutes of testing time and PAT-SPG Grammar and Punctuation requires 30 minutes of testing time. Additional time of about 10 to 15 minutes should be allowed for administration.

For more information see pages 15 of the PAT-SPG Teacher Manual

What should I do to prepare for PAT-SPG 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 15 and 16 of the PAT-SPG Teacher Manual

What materials do I need to conduct PAT-SPG 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 15 – 16 of the PAT-SPG 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 for the Grammar and Punctuation component, 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 PAT-SPG?

If hand scoring, Score Keys are available in the manual and on the CD-ROM for both the Written Spelling and the Grammar and Punctuation. Schools can also use the ACER Test Scoring Service for the Grammar and Punctuation component of PAT-SPG only. 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 PAT-SPG Teacher Manual.

What time of the year should I use PAT-SPG?

Time of testing is a school decision, and purpose of the testing should guide when testing takes place. Note that the norms for each of the testing programs in PAT-SPG were NOT collected at the same time.

PAT-SPG Grammar and Punctuation

Norms for PAT-SPG Grammar and Punctuation were collected in March. The recommendation is that norms can be matched to the year level you are testing regardless of the time of the year you are testing. If you are testing at the end of the school year, your students’ results will be slightly inflated as they have completed more schooling than the norm reference sample.

PAT-SPG Written Spelling

Norms for PATReading Written Spelling were collected in September at the same time as the PAT-R Spelling. Therefore end of year testing isappropriate. 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

Should PAT-SPG 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.

PAT-SPG 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 PAT-SPG 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 Written Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar

FAQs