This article will explain what a scaled score is, as well as how scaled scores are different to Standardised Age Scores.
Year 6 SATs are marked externally and the results are returned to schools in July. Teachers will receive a raw score and a scaled score for each student in each subject.
What is a Scaled Score?
The scaled score indicates whether or not a student has achieved the national standard. Students can achieve a scaled score between 80 and 120. A scaled score of 100 or more means that the child has met the expected standard by the end of Year 6. This threshold of 100 is set in advance and is the same each year.
The raw score is required to achieve a scaled score of 100. This is set after the SATs have been taken and is subject to change each year. It is transferred into a scaled score so that the number is easier to understand and compare. Whilst SATs are developed to the same specification each year, the difficulty of the tests may vary as the questions must be different each year. Thus, by converting raw scores into scaled scores, accurate comparisons can be drawn of pupil performance over time.
How are scaled scores different to Standardised Age Scores?
Standardised Age Scores take into account a child's exact age when taking a test, as well as an attainment estimate. This is calculated by taking into account the number of questions answered correctly and incorrectly. It also considers the level of difficulty if it is an adaptive exam. This is then mapped onto a normal distribution curve (also known as a stanine) to show how a child has performed against a representative sample of pupils the same age.
This is different to a scaled score, which doesn't have to follow a normal distribution. Standardised scores are based on the performance of a cohort taking a particular test at a particular time. As a result, these do not change over time. Whereas, the raw score required to achieve a scaled score of 100, is modified by the government each year.
We recommend aiming for a SAS of 115+ in our Atom mock tests to have the best chance of achieving a high-scaled score on the SATs.
If you have any questions or need support in understanding your child's scores on Atom, you can don't get in touch via email at support@atomlearning.co.uk.