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CAT scores....year 7

Posted: Thu Nov 11, 2010 12:05 pm
by U400JB9
DD is in year 7 and we have just been given her CAT scores done in September, which are not to impressive.
Now, all her homework and work books are being marked at anywhere between A+/B- ( B- usually in Maths :( )
Should I be worried? At the moment I`m having this overwhelming panic that she`s going to struggle at GS and we shouldn`t have sent her....irrational? :?

Re: CAT scores....year 7

Posted: Thu Nov 11, 2010 12:12 pm
by hermanmunster
I remember DD doing these and her brain was not connected that day ... very puzzled by results of a child who got into GS with no coaching . Anyway she is in year 9 doing fine.

Re: CAT scores....year 7

Posted: Thu Nov 11, 2010 12:17 pm
by U400JB9
I`m hoping that was the case. I know she was a bit overwhelmed in the first few weeks. Sadly DD is not at her best in tests, something we`re going to have to work on I feel

Re: CAT scores....year 7

Posted: Thu Nov 11, 2010 1:30 pm
by ourmaminhavana
Hi U4, isn't a CAT score just one indicator out of several? I expect I'd be the same, but please try not to worry.
PS I wouldn't even know what is a good score and I believe I'm receiving DS's tonight! :roll:

Re: CAT scores....year 7

Posted: Thu Nov 11, 2010 2:25 pm
by tiredmum
U400JB9 wrote:Now, all her homework and work books are being marked at anywhere between A+/B- ( B- usually in Maths :( )
?
So she is doing very well in her work in and out of school - the CATS are just on indicator that does not appear to be hiolding her back

Re: CAT scores....year 7

Posted: Thu Nov 11, 2010 6:13 pm
by T12ACY
DS gets scores like the A- / B you describe which is for his effort only. He also has his current, and target SAT levels for us to access at any time. Similar to you, there are some areas where I have thought he isn't doing so well. Maths 5A, fine but Music for example, SAT level 3A :shock: HOWEVER, he has never even picked up a musical instrument so with a sensible head on I am waiting to speak with the Teachers at Parents evening next week......

Try not to worry. CAT tests are a single day assessment and don't take into account Class work and Home work.

Re: CAT scores....year 7

Posted: Thu Nov 11, 2010 10:27 pm
by U400JB9
Thank you.
Interestingly OH read them as good and well above average!!
She`s come home with a science level of 6b tonight.......( her father is a scientist / pHD....not my genes obviously :oops: )

I think I shall sit back and relax about it.

Re: CAT scores....year 7

Posted: Thu Nov 11, 2010 11:20 pm
by tiredmum
we have just received my dd's scores tonight. It is very comprehensive - she has a definate strength in verbal and a weaker quantative! I could have told them that without her taking the tests :lol:

However the booklet seems quite useful - it talks about how to use her strength to help her learn and revise and how to improve her weaker area. It says

CAT measures developed rather than innate abilities. The development of these abilities begins at birth and continues through early adulthood. It is influenced by in school and out of school experiences. Thus by analysing your dd's profile we can work together to provide learning experiences both at school and at home that will improve your dd's level of performance

I always thought the tests looked at innate abilites?

Anyhow i do know that my other daughter out performed her CATS predictions in her GCSEs for maths and science.
So please all take them as a guide to help rather than worry about.

Re: CAT scores....year 7

Posted: Thu Nov 11, 2010 11:51 pm
by Milla
I fear we're never completely happy without something to fret about - marks too low / marks too high, forever seeking for either the fault in the system denying our child or the one over-evaluating (so let's just wait for the crash.). I'm quite glad our GSs don't provide us w CAT scores. A snapshot on a day. Don't worry. Allthis always makes me feel a bit 'hey,teacher, leave them kids alone!' (such a rebel it's scary)

Re: CAT scores....year 7

Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2010 10:48 am
by haeckel
I imagine CAT scores are most useful as a pointer for dc who are under-achieving - for the school to expect more from them/push them a bit harder. I shouldn't imagine anyone worries about the dc who could be considered to be over-achieving - if they are achieving well, well, they have achieved that, and a CAT score can't exactly take it away from them!

I imagine a higher CAT score can be used to build up dc who are lacking in confidence in their ability, too, because if they think they can't do something/are not very clever, they are less likely to do well/push themselves to do well.