Can a year four pupil be tested at/for level 5 sats?

[PippiLongBottom]

Just wondering because dd got 4a's in all three and her report said she got 100% in one of the literacy ones (can't remember if it was reading or writing ATM).

I had a vague idea that I'd read on here in previous years that they can only be tested up to a certain level. Seems a shame, maybe she could have scraped a 5c? Obviously I have no idea how these things are marked so I could be way off.

[Feenie]

The level should be a teacher assessment, perhaps informed in part by a test, and should have no ceiling.

Some very able Y4 child will come to me in Y5 assessed as 5cs next year.

[PippiLongBottom]

So a 4a with 100% is still a 4a? Not like I'm disappointed, obviously.

[Feenie]

It would indicate that she tests at at solid 4a! Doesn't tell you about her teacher assessment, and how she works day to day. You would have to say that if she tests so highly she should definitely be working on level 5 stuff in the classroom, and the teacher assessment should reflect that. Which is why a one off test result is only part of the story.

[PippiLongBottom]

What would you suggest I ask her next teacher at parents evening in October?

Thanks Feenie.

[Feenie]

Did she report a teacher assessment alongside her test result? If not, and if it was my child, I would want to know. What level is she working at in the classroom? Her teacher would have to know, in order to plan his/her teaching. If they didn't, it would worry me. If they are relying on testing only, and only test up to 4a, then what's the point, in your dd's case, and how to they plan next steps for learning?

[PandaG]

apologies for hijacking, but Feenie you clearly know your stuff in SATS. DS got 100% in his Y6 SATS. would that indicate anything other than a sound 5a? Just wonder if e could be a 6?

[rosy71]

If you're talking about the QCA optional SATs, the Year 4 test only measures up to a level 4. The reading test isn't very challenging really, so I'd doubt whether 100% would even be a 4A. (The mark scheme doesn't subdivide level 4 into a, b and c.)

If she was working at level 5, the teacher should know this, so it would be her teacher assessment. If they wanted to test whether she was a level 5, they'd have to use a Year 5 test.

[PandaG]

maths SAT that is...I ask because his class teacher has been oin long term sick for several months so don't know if her teacher assessment can be completely accurate?

[PippiLongBottom]

Erm, I'm not sure. The teacher (male, deputy head, 32) wrote the most amazing 8 page long reports going into great detail about what the children had done over the year. He must have made so many notes.

He didn't really say anything about assessment, just that she was one of the most gifted writers that he has ever taught and she 'didn't drop a single Mark in her end of year reading exam'.

[rosy71]

There are no level 6 questions on the Year 6 maths paper, so 100% wouldn't indicate a level 6. That's not to say he isn't level 6, but the test doesn't measure that high.

[PandaG]

Thanks Rosy. He is looking forward to going to secondary school to do more difficult maths - he loves it! Just glad he is happy at school.

[Feenie]

But there is clear guidance given to teachers who need to teacher assess at level 6. What was his teacher assessment? I would expect a child who could achieve 1005 to be working at a level 6 in the classroom, even if they weren't yet a 6c, ifyswim.

[Feenie]

100%

[PandaG]

teacher assessment was a 5, but teacher has been off on sick leave for the last 5 months - she wrote the report but don't know how much she will have had from the (several) supply teachers that filled the breach.

I hope I don't sound too much like a pushy mum, I am very pleased with his progress and achievement whether 5a or 6c. And frankly the lovely comments about his enthusiasm and cheeriness are more important to me.

[belledechocchipcookie]

Ds was assessed by his teacher as level 6 for key stage 2 sats (year 6), he scored level 5s in the sats themselves as he was not allowed to go any higher. He achieved 100% though. He's at an independent secondary and the work is very hard.

[spanieleyes]

I teacher assessed two of my children as working at level 6 in maths because that is the level they work at day in, day out, even though they didn't score 100% in the SATs test-simply because they made silly errors on a test paper doesn't affect the level they are usually working at!

[fenellaf]

I have a girl in my year 3 class and my teacher assessment put her at a level 4, which is what she should be at the end of Y6. I gave her a past Y6 SATs paper, just to see how she would perform, and also because even though the Y3 paper goes up to a level 4, it's highly inflated and very easy to get a level 4.
She came out with a solid level 4. So, in answer to your question, there is no reason why they cannot be tested with a higher paper, but teacher assessment is always the best and most consistent form of assessment.

[spanieleyes]

Although I teach year 5/6 I have a few year 4 children in my maths group as they are very good! One of them consistently works at level 5 in class. For the optional SATs we do at the end of the year it was pointless giving them the year 4 paper to do, so they at a year 6 paper. he achieved a 5a so I have further evidence to back up my teacher assessment-which is the only reason we use Optional SATs papers!