Research on the Progressive Achievement Tests and academic achievement in secondary schools

Abstract

Psychometric testing can be used for many purposes. In the present case, ACER's Progressive Achievement Test battery was used to assess vocabulary, comprehension, and numeracy skill levels of students commencing study at a regional high school. The tests were used as a screening tool to identify students who might benefit from additional instruction and also to select high achieving students for participation in extension work, maths competitions, and the like. Test results were later correlated with performance in various school subjects over the five years of high school. Results indicated that the tests predicted up to 50% of the variance in school performance five years after the actual testing date. These data point to the continuing significance of students having a good vocabulary, being able to comprehend written text, and having good numeracy skills.