NotSoObvious Posted May 15, 2013 Share Posted May 15, 2013 Really? The math is incredibly easy. No percentage problems, no decimals, and all the fraction problems have the same denominators. I actually think it looks easier than the fourth grade test. What the heck? (Also, I can't use the enter button on my laptop when I am on the forums. Does anyone know why?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted May 15, 2013 Share Posted May 15, 2013 Yeah, it's not exactly a difficult test. I think my kid also got a 99. I wasn't exactly surprised. That said, I just need it to be legal. I am not using it for anything else. I am glad my state accepts it, that it is affordable and that I am allowed to administer it. Easy peasy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mandylubug Posted May 15, 2013 Share Posted May 15, 2013 No input on the test, but having the same enter button issue here some days on my laptop and my smartphone. Annoying! It's working right now, though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotSoObvious Posted May 15, 2013 Author Share Posted May 15, 2013 As I started reading through the test, even the language seems almost identical to the 4th grade test. Weird. Yep, quick and easy for us here, too. I was going to just write our own evaluations, but decided it would just be easier to test rather than tempting the school district with a grey area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen in PA Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 I could be wrong, but I think for the 1970 CAT, Level 3 is the test used for grades 4 - 6, and the test is just normed differently for each grade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawz4me Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 I could be wrong, but I think for the 1970 CAT, Level 3 is the test used for grades 4 - 6, and the test is just normed differently for each grade. Yes. The same test level covers three grades. But in general I agree it's easy. My kids have almost uniformly scored in the upper 90's. But it covers the requirements and it's cheap and easy to administer, so I'm good with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butter Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 Well, my son struggled with it a bit and found some things easy, but definitely not most of it :) He's got dyslexia and dysgraphia. My brother (who is a college professor) said that standardized tests like the CAT aren't all that concerned about the kids at the top or bottom. Where the big percentile differentiation is most useful is in the 25-75th range. For kids who are ahead, the test will be super easy (that would be my daughter and my middle son). For those who are right on target or struggle a bit (like my 11 year old), it's more useful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tess in the Burbs Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 I gave 4th and 5th CAT with my kids this year. It's very similar. Math had one more fraction problem in 5th I think? I expect DS/5th to get high scores. Honestly I don't care though...it's easy and keeps the district happy. Frustrated the kids though to be do simple Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
athena1277 Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 Yep, CAT is easy. My dd is smart, but not gifted. She took the 4th grade version this spring and missed exactly 1 question. Look at it this way. A lot of people don't know it's so easy, so the next time the nay-sayers question your decision to homeschool, you can show them the test scores and impress them. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 The ITBS does not have what I would consider to be grade level math either. It's not that it is fluffy, it's that most kids have not even remotely mastered grade level material. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilaclady Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 I didn't realize I was that easy. I only used the CAT in first and second grades though. I found it served my purpose of gentle introduction to testing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotSoObvious Posted May 16, 2013 Author Share Posted May 16, 2013 I could be wrong, but I think for the 1970 CAT, Level 3 is the test used for grades 4 - 6, and the test is just normed differently for each grade. I didn't know this but it makes total sense now. Ugh. It's a means to an end, but I guess I won't put any stock in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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