Test Levels

The questions in each sub-test are placed in ascending order of difficulty using professional judgement. To reduce the test burden, a starting point is chosen for each age band (giving us three entry levels – 1, 2 and 3) and stopping rules are also implemented so that a pupil exits a sub-test when the probability of answering a question correctly drops to chance level. This helps to avoid pupils wasting time and effort attempting questions that are either too easy or much too difficult.

Of the three built in entry levels within the test; level 1 is the simplest and assigned to those under 7 years of age, through to level 3 which is assigned to older pupils. Selecting a pupil’s date of birth when registering them for the test automatically sets the test entry level. It is possible to change the test entry level manually. This is only recommended in exceptional circumstances; if the user is of very low ability and may not be able to cope with the Screener, then a lower level than that automatically set can be chosen.

This is done via the ‘Invigilator Menu’. You should enter the test at the level automatically set for the user, and then from the ‘Welcome’ screen before the test is started you should use the keyboard combination CTRL-SHIFT-T to open the ‘Invigilator Menu’. The ‘Test Level’ setting is shown in the ‘Candidate Details’ box, and by selecting from the drop down list you can specify a different level of the test for the pupil to take.

Other options within the ‘Invigilator Menu’ allow you to force a pupil to retake a practice section and end a sub-test immediately, sending the results as they are to the server.