Sigma-T Maths

obi604

Hello

My son is in 4th class got a Sigma-T Maths score of 131, he got 130 last year

I know this is a high score, but are these tests a bit wishy washy

byhookorbycrook

I'm not sure what you mean by "wishy washy." The tests are based on extensive research. A gain or loss of single point, in particular at that level is not in any way significant.

obi604

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122299302#Comment_122299302

as in does it indicate that my lad is really really good at maths? (or are the test relatively easy)

byhookorbycrook

What class is he in ? The tests show how your child performed in the test , relative to their peers .

obi604

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122300287#Comment_122300287

he is in 4th class.

byhookorbycrook

Oops, missed that , sorry .In some standardised tests, once you get a high score , the results will show >128 , 130 etc. but don’t go any higher .

ottolwinner

your best to look at these in terms of the sten score and how it trends over their primary school development. They aren’t meant as a barometer or genius or not more to assist with school resource allocation to those that need it.

wirelessdude01

How did you end up with that number seeing as firstly you should only have been given a STen score and secondly that number for scoring purposes actugoes as far as 130?

obi604

it simply says the 131 number on his end of year school report.

glack

Schools can chose STen or Standard Score for report cards. Most schools use STens as they are generally more easily understood by parents. Standard Score is more precise and a Standard Score of 131 would be a STen 10 I'd imagine as I think that's pretty much the max score.

To answer the OP, a score of 131 would indicate that your child is very good at maths particularly as they also did well the previous year. To say how good they are, you would need to know the child and how they perform in maths generally - read the teacher comments on the report for information here. The score indicates that they performed as well as or better than over 99% of children who took the test during the standardisation of the test (which was a long time ago and in my opinion standards have dropped a lot since then!!). So this is an excellent performance.

Like all tests, the Sigma T gives limited information and a lot depends on how the test was conducted by the teacher/school. But assuming they did everything correctly (no extra practice before the test, no practice of the test questions, no help given, all maths resources removed etc) then the test give valuable information. They are tested on most areas of the curriculum and there would have been several questions that were not covered yet at school to challenge those of a higher ability. There is also an entire section on problem solving in fourth class which requires good levels of English comprehension also. But as a previous poster mentioned, these tests are designed to help the school compare children to each other and to prioritise which children/classes/year groups need help for the following year.

Your child did well which is great. But I wouldn't read too much into it. Some children score equally as well at that age and find higher level maths in secondary school challenging. Some score lower and excel later on.