Test Catalogue (Post-Primary)

Transcription

1 TEST DEPARTMENT EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH CENTRE 66 Richmond Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 3 Test Catalogue (Post-Primary) When ordering tests, please note the following: Always use a current order form. Orders received on out-of-date forms cannot be processed. Where two forms of a test are available, order approximately equal numbers of Form A and Form B if you want students sitting beside each other to receive alternative forms. Phone: (01) Fax: (01) testdept@erc.ie Web: Educational Research Centre, March, 2011

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3 TEST CATALOGUE POST-PRIMARY 1 CONTENTS Achievement Tests Drumcondra Irish Test (Triail Ghaeilge Dhroimchonnrach)... 2 Ability and Aptitude Tests Drumcondra Reasoning Test (DRT)... 3 Drumcondra Aptitude Tests, Form T: Long Form (Adapted Irish Version) (DATs)... 3 Machine-Scoring Service... 4 Conditions of Sale... 5 Returns Policy... 5 Test Security... 5

4 2 TEST CATALOGUE POST-PRIMARY ACHIEVEMENT TEST Drumcondra Irish Test (Triail Ghaeilge Dhroimchonnrach) The Drumcondra Irish Test (Triail Ghaeilge Dhroimchonnrach) is a nationally normed test that was developed in the late 1970s and is only available in one form and for one level Level IV. National norms for the beginning, middle and end of the school year are available. Level IV is designed for students in First Year post-primary classes. This test consists of four subtests: Vocabulary, Comprehension, Usage and Spelling. The test takes approximately 1½ hours to administer. Students mark their answers on a hand-scorable answer sheet, which can be scored using scoring stencils. The test booklets for Level IV are reusable. ACHIEVEMENT TEST

5 TEST CATALOGUE POST-PRIMARY 3 Drumcondra Reasoning Test (DRT) ABILITY AND APTITUDE TESTS The Drumcondra Reasoning Test (DRT) is an objective, group-administered test of cognitive skills which can be used to assess students in transition between primary and post-primary schooling, or in the early years of post-primary schooling. There are two parallel forms of the DRT (Form A and Form B). Each form contains two subtests, Verbal Reasoning and Numerical Ability. The test takes approximately 1½ hours to administer. Students mark their answers on a hand-scorable answer sheet, which can be scored using a scoring stencil, or on a machine scorable answer sheet, which can be returned to the Educational Research Centre to be scored by machine. Use of the DRT is restricted to qualified persons with training in the administration and interpretation of psychological tests (e.g., guidance counsellors, psychologists). Differential Aptitude Tests, Form T: Long Form (Adapted Irish Version) (DATs) The Differential Aptitude Tests (DATs) are designed for use in educational and vocational guidance and are used by school counsellors, personnel officers, psychologists and all persons concerned with assessing the intellectual characteristics and educational or vocational aptitude of adolescents. This battery of tests has been adapted for use in Irish schools. Testing time is approximately 3½ hours and may be spread over several sessions. The tests are suitable for pre-junior Certificate to Leaving Certificate students. The rationale behind the development of the DATs is that since different kinds of abilities are useful in different jobs and in different school subjects, a battery giving measures of several abilities is likely to be more useful than a test giving a single general ability score. There are eight subtests: Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Ability, Abstract reasoning, Space Relations, Mechanical Reasoning, Clerical Speed and Accuracy, Spelling, and Language Usage. The DATS were standardized on over 10,000 students attending Irish post-primary schools. Separate norms are available for boys and girls for each of the following levels: Pre-Junior Certificate, Junior Certificate, Pre-Leaving Certificate and Leaving Certificate. Scores can be used to produce a profile showing a student s strengths and weaknesses. A combined Verbal Reasoning and Numerical Ability score can be used as an index of scholastic ability. Use of the DATs is restricted to persons with training in the administration and interpretation of psychological tests (e.g., guidance counsellors, psychologists). ABILITY AND APTITUDE TESTS

6 4 TEST CATALOGUE POST-PRIMARY MACHINE-SCORING SERVICE The Test Department offers a machine-scoring service for The Drumcondra Reasoning Test (DRT) The Differential Aptitude Tests (DATs) Users of the machine-scoring service are provided with reports that summarise the performance of each student in a class or group. Schools wishing to avail of the machine-scoring service should note the following: Students should record their answers on special machine-scorable answer sheets. These should be ordered from the Test Department before the test is administered. As the format of answer sheets and the programmes used for scoring them change from time to time, test administrators should ensure that the answer sheets they use are current. Hand-scorable answer sheets cannot be scored by machine. The padded envelope in which answer sheets are sent to schools should be used to return completed machine-scorable answer sheets. Answers must be marked on the answer sheets using pencil only. Teachers should check answer sheets before sending them to the Educational Research Centre to ensure that (a) the student identification information has been entered correctly; (b) there are no stray marks on the answer sheet; (c) there is one response only for each completed item; (d) unwanted answers have been completely erased ( x marks are unacceptable); and (e) the slots are completely filled. Answer sheets on which identification information is incomplete, or which contain stray marks, or have the slots filled incorrectly, cannot be scored electronically, and will be returned to schools without scoring. The relevant Processing Information Form should accompany each batch of answer sheets returned for machine-scoring. A separate processing form should be completed for each class for which a report is required. Ten working days should be allowed for scoring of answer sheets and reporting of results. Scores are available on CD as an optional extra for all tests that are machine-scored. MACHINE SCORING SERVICE

7 TEST CATALOGUE POST-PRIMARY 5 CONDITIONS OF SALE An order form countersigned by the Principal is required for each order. Do not include payment with order. Invoices will be issued after dispatch of order and are payable within 30 days from the date of the invoice. Any discrepancies or errors in shipments or invoices will only be dealt with up to 14 days from date of receipt. Please retain a copy of your order form for reference. To avoid incurring a charge for duplicate orders, either fax or post Order Form, not both. Test booklets are sold in packs of 5, not individually, except in the case of specimen sets. Answer sheets are sold in packs of 25. Allow extra time during busy periods for processing and shipping your order. RETURNS POLICY Test booklets and answer sheets may be returned by special arrangement and only if purchased within the previous 6 weeks. These materials must be in original unbroken packages. Loose items will not be credited. Items not sold in packages (stencils, manuals, scoring keys) are not returnable. Returns will be subject to a handling charge of 10%. TEST SECURITY Every effort should be made to ensure the security of test materials. The use of locked desks or files should be considered a minimal requirement NOTES