Progressive Achievement Tests in Mathematics Plus (PATMaths Plus)

Contact us

Australian Council for Educational Research

19 Prospect Hill Rd, Camberwell, VIC, Australia 3124

1800 338 402 (Toll Free)
T: +61 3 9277 5447
F: +61 3 9277 5499
E: sales@acer.edu.au

1. What are the main differences between PATMaths Plus and PATMaths Third Edition?

• PATMaths Plus is fully administered online, and PATMaths Third Edition is available in paper-and-pencil format.
• The 330 questions in the ten PATMaths Plus tests are different from the 286 questions in the eight PATMaths Third Edition tests.
• PATMaths Plus covers Years 1 to 10, while PATMaths Third Edition covers Years 2 to 10.
• PATMaths Plus Tests 4 to 10 are more difficult than their corresponding PATMaths Third Edition tests (Tests 1 to 7).
• The number of groups of scale descriptors has been expanded from six (PATMaths Third Edition) to ten (PATMaths Plus).

2. How long does a PATMaths Plus test take to administer online?

It takes about 5–10 minutes to provide instructions to the students and 40 minutes to complete the actual test online.

3. How many test levels are there and what are the recommended year levels for each test?

PATMaths Plus comprises ten tests of increasing overall difficulty covering a range of year levels.  The following table is a guide to which test level is appropriate to each school year.

4. Are students permitted to use calculators?

Calculators should not be used in any of the tests.

5. What materials are needed to conduct PATMaths Plus online testing?

Teachers must have a copy of the administration instructions (see pp. 8–14 of the PATMaths Plus User Guide) and each student must have access to a computer that is connected to the internet (refer to the iAchieve administration instructions). Computers should be set up in a quiet room.

6. What reports are provided using PATMaths Plus online?

Individual graphical reports as PDF files for each student assessed and Group Reports in Excel format are available. These provide normative information as well as the performance of each student on individual items and content strands. Individual reports are accompanied by scale and item descriptors, which provide detailed descriptions of the mathematical skills of students.

7. Are there parallel tests in PATMaths Plus?

There are no parallel tests within the set of ten PATMaths Plus tests, or within the total set of 18 PATMaths Plus and PATMaths Third Edition tests. Each PATMaths Plus test is more difficult than the lower level tests and from Test 4 onwards, more difficult than the PATMaths Third Edition test recommended for the same year level.

Test scores on PATMaths Plus and PATMaths Third Edition tests can be converted to scale scores on the PATMaths scale, which allow for comparisons of performance between students, among year levels, and over time, regardless of the test level completed.

8. Should PATMaths be administered more than once per year?

The PATMaths Plus and PATMaths Third Edition tests may be used to monitor change in achieve­ment over time by using one test at the start of the year and another test at the end of the year. It is recommended that there be a minimum of six months between testing.

For more information about monitoring student progress, please contact ACER Customer Service via email or phone (toll free) 1800 338 402 to speak to an Education Consultant.

9. How can results from PATMaths Plus testing be used?

Results can be used at both the individual and the group level. PATMaths scale scores can be used to report improvement over time, regardless of which test was used. Percentile ranks and sta­nines provide a picture of how students’ results compare with the results of students in the same year level across Australia. An examination of questions answered correctly in each strand will provide specific diagnostic information for individual students and the group.

10. How do I purchase tests?

Apply for a school code at https://iachieve.acer.edu.au. Once received, your school code can be used to log into your account to purchase tests.

11. How do students complete tests?

Full administration details are supplied in the PATMaths Plus User Guide.

• The teacher or test administrator purchases and assigns the correct number of tests for the testing session in iAchieve. They select the number of tests needed at a specific level and which year level the test results should be normed against.
• Usernames and passwords for the assigned tests will be emailed immediately to the test administrator.
• Online tests can be conducted individually or in groups. Students will require access to a computer connected to the internet. Computers should be set up with https://iachieve.acer.edu.au showing on the screen before students enter the room.
• Each student should be given a username and password to login to the test once they are seated at their computer.

12. How do I generate reports?

When the tests have been completed, reports can be generated immediately in the iAchieve system. Use your school code to log into your account and select the ‘Reports’ link in the PATMaths Plus row. There are two types of reports available: Individual Reports as PDF files and Group Reports as Excel files. Examples can be found under Sample Reports.

13. What are the technical requirements for using PATMaths Plus?

• Your web browser should be the only program running on the computer at the time of the test. Exit all other programs before students start the test.
• Use the navigational tools provided within the iAchieve system (i.e. the ‘Next’ and ‘Previous’ buttons), not the navigational tools in the web browser toolbar.
• The speed of your internet connection will determine the number of students who can sit a test at any one time. Below is the suggested maximum number of students suitable for simultaneous administration of PATMaths Plus based on different internet connection speeds.

14. Is there a paper-and-pencil version of PATMaths Plus?

There is currently no printed version of PATMaths Plus.

PATMaths Third Edition provides a paper-and-pencil version of a different set of tests on the same PATMaths scale, allowing for comparisons between the two tests.

PATMaths Third Edition can be purchased at the ACER Shop Online or contact ACER Customer Service via email or phone (toll free) 1800 338 402.

15. How do I get help if I am not sure what to order or if I need to speak to an ACER Education Consultant?

Contact ACER Customer Service via email or phone (toll free) 1800 338 402.