Low CATS score - could anyone explain, please?

[joliejoleen]

DS is in y7 and has just done CATS. He only got 101 in the verbal part and 105 in the NV which really surprises me as he's an avid reader and when he was younger, I read to him every day. I don't understand why his scores are so low... any ideas? Thank you.

It isn’t a low CATS score, it’s slightly above average.

Those scores are within the average range and are absolutely fine. Not low in any way. Average range of a standardised score is between 85-115. He is exactly where he should be.

Are you checking his understanding as you read still? Maybe he was tired or unfocussed on the day? It's bang on average for CATS. (But maybe he's at SSG, so was a surprise?)

Ah, that's a relief! So 120 for the quantitative component is quite good then?

Yes, we're actually reading a book together and I ask him what he thinks certain things mean and why they're happening etc. And he seems to understand.

I didn't know about CATS but someone mentioned them on here. I checked DS's and his is quite spikey too... 2 with marks within one of each other and the third 20 marks different. School said they correlate with his SATS results though and are perfectly fine.

According to NFER 101 is average, 104 is high average and 120 is above average

CAT scores are about ability and not skills. However, it does help if someone practises a lot but there’s only so much difference that will make.