Table – An overview of assessment: how a blend of assessments interrelate
Assessment
Definition
Purpose
Examples
Outcomes
Standardised
summative
test
An externally produced test which
provides a standardised score to
indicate pupil attainment at a
specified point in time, and to
allow comparisons with national
population.
To make comparisons with
national figures.
PIPS.
Adam's score in maths is 102.
Adam has made expected progress
in maths this year.
PIM/PIE.
To validate internal judgements.
Year 5's mean maths score is
100.5.
Year 5 have made less than
expected progress this year.
Year 5's mean maths score is
better than national.
To track attainment of pupils,
cohorts and subjects over time
(i.e. progress).
Summative
test
Curriculum
test
(A more formal
version of the
quiz,
conducted at
the end of a
teaching unit.)
Assessing age-appropriate
National Curriculum coverage.
An externally produced test which
provides a score (below/
expected/above) or National
Curriculum level to indicate pupil
attainment at a specified point in
time.
To ensure acquisition of
National Curriculum.
A bespoke test (internally
produced, or provided by scheme)
completed near the end of a
teaching unit.
To identify and record groups of
pupils attaining below, at, and
above expectations for this
term's teaching points.
To measure attainment of
pupils, cohorts and subjects.
To make comparisons with
expected attainment.
Optional SATS.
Adam is 'expected' in spelling.
Rising Stars tests.
Adam is 'below' in geometry.
ESB.
15% of Year 5 are 'below' in
fractions.
Levelled writing sample.
Writing sample.
Adam is 'expected' in spelling.
Adam scored 75% in spelling?
OUP RWI tests.
Adam is 'below' in geometry.
Bespoke maths tests
(combination of CLIC, Wider
Maths and application
questions).
May contain a 'new learning' and
'previous learning' section to
© Forum Business Media Ltd 2014 (reproduced with the kind permission of Rachel Harrison)
15% of Year 5 are 'below' in
fractions.
ensure retention.
Curriculum
quiz
A bespoke quiz (internally
produced, or provided by scheme)
assessing pupils' acquisition and
retention of this term's teaching
points.
To identify pupils not acquiring
or retaining current teaching, in
order to provide early
intervention.
CLIC or Wider Maths test.
Adam needs extra help with 3d x 3d
multiplication.
OUP RWI assessment.
Short writing samples.
© Forum Business Media Ltd 2014 (reproduced with the kind permission of Rachel Harrison)
Adam doesn't know how to use
speech marks correctly.