Educational Testing and Assessment: Achievement, Cognitive Abilities, and Behaviour Rating Scales

Vocabulary flashcards reviewing core concepts, test taxonomies, CHC ability continuum broad abilities, the WIAT-III achievement framework, and the BASC-3 clinical and adaptive rating scales.

Achievement Tests

Assessments designed to evaluate past learning.

Aptitude Tests

Assessments designed to evaluate future learning potential, also known as cognitive tests.

Ability Continuum

A continuum defining ability as the power to perform some specified mental act or task, ranging from cognitive abilities (general abilities resulting from informal, non-school related experiences) to academic abilities (specialized abilities resulting from formal, school related experiences).

Gt

Reaction and decision speed on the ability continuum.

Gs

Processing speed on the ability continuum.

Gsm

Short-term memory on the ability continuum.

Gl

Learning efficiency on the ability continuum.

Gr

Retrieval fluency on the ability continuum.

Gv

Visual processing on the ability continuum.

Gf

Fluid reasoning on the ability continuum.

Ga

Auditory processing on the ability continuum.

Gc

Comprehension on the ability continuum.

Grw

Reading and writing on the ability continuum.

Gq

Quantitative knowledge on the ability continuum.

Wechsler Individual Achievement Test – Third Edition (WIAT-III)

An individually administered standardized summative achievement test structured into four core composites: Reading, Writing, Mathematics, and Oral Language to measure Total Achievement.

Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement (WJ-IV ACH)

An individually administered standardized summative achievement test used in educational assessments.

Broad Band Behaviour Rating Scales

Behaviour rating scales designed to assess a wide variety of behaviours across multiple behavioral domains.

Narrow Band Behaviour Rating Scales

Behaviour rating scales designed to assess behaviours specific to one or several related areas.

Behavior Assessment System for Children – Third Edition (BASC-3)

A multi-informant assessment tool designed to evaluate the behaviors, emotions, and self-perceptions of children and adolescents aged 2 to 21 years and 11 months.

BASC-3 Clinical Scales Scoring

Standardized T-score classifications where higher scores indicate greater problems: $<60$ is Average, $60-69$ is Borderline, and $70+$ is Clinical.

BASC-3 Adaptive Scales Scoring

Standardized T-score classifications where lower scores indicate greater problems: $40+$ is Average, $30-39$ is Borderline, and $<30$ is Clinical.

Hyperactivity

A BASC-3 externalising problems scale reflecting the tendency to be overly active, rush through work or activities, and act without thinking.

Aggression

A BASC-3 externalising problems scale reflecting the tendency to act in a hostile manner (either verbal or physical) that is threatening to others.

Conduct Problems

A BASC-3 externalising problems scale reflecting the tendency to engage in antisocial and rule-breaking behavior, including destroying property.

Anxiety

A BASC-3 internalising problems scale reflecting the tendency to be nervous, fearful, or worried about real or imagined problems.

Depression

A BASC-3 internalising problems scale reflecting feelings of unhappiness, sadness, and stress.

Somatisation

A BASC-3 internalising problems scale reflecting the tendency to be overly sensitive to and complain about relatively minor physical problems and discomforts.

Attention Problems

A BASC-3 scale belonging to both the behavioural symptoms index and school problems composite, defined as the tendency to be easily distracted and unable to concentrate more than momentarily.

Atypicality

A BASC-3 behavioural symptoms index scale defined as the tendency to behave in ways that are considered odd or commonly associated with psychosis.

Withdrawal

A BASC-3 behavioural symptoms index scale defined as the tendency to evade others to avoid social contact.

Learning Problems

A BASC-3 school problems composite scale defined as the presence of academic difficulties, particularly in understanding or completing homework.

Adaptability

A BASC-3 adaptive skills composite scale defined as the ability to adapt readily to changes in the environment.

Social Skills

A BASC-3 adaptive skills composite scale defined as the skills necessary for interacting successfully with peers and adults in home, school, and community settings.

Leadership

A BASC-3 adaptive skills composite scale defined as the skills associated with accomplishing academic, social, or community goals, including the ability to work with others.

Activities of Daily Living

A BASC-3 adaptive skills composite scale defined as the skills associated with performing basic, everyday tasks in an acceptable and safe manner.

Functional Communication

A BASC-3 adaptive skills composite scale defined as the ability to express ideas and communicate in a way others can easily understand.

Study Skills

A BASC-3 adaptive skills composite scale defined as the skills conducive to strong academic performance, including organizational skills and good study habits.