When is the difference in a pupils standard scores on the three batteries considered significant?
In most cases the three standard age scores (verbal, quantitative and non-verbal) will be broadly in line with each other. Scores will rarely be exactly equal and there has to be a difference of 10 or more standard age score (SAS) points between a pupil’s score on any two CAT batteries before the difference would be considered significant. The implications of any score differences will depend on the particular batteries between which the differences exist, and whether they indicate relative strengths or weaknesses. Chapter 3 of “Getting the Best from CAT” describes a detailed system for analysing CAT pupil profiles, their implications for teaching and learning and practical guidance on strategies. (From Autumn 2006, this system, known as “verbal-non-verbal profling”, will be available as part of the scoring service.) It is rarely advisable to give advice based on test scores in isolation. Test scores are only a small part of the picture of a pupil’s abilities and attainments and you ne
