With entrance exams, one of the most common areas of confusion is the ‘Standardised Age Scores’ (SAS). Here we will explain the process of standard scores and dispel the most frequent rumours.
The first step in calculating a SAS is to calculate the ‘Attainment Estimate’. This score takes into account the number of questions answered correctly and the difficulty level of these questions. It also considers the number of questions in each test and the time allocation. For example it would not be fair to compare a Verbal Reasoning test which had 80 questions in 50 minutes to a maths test with 50 questions in 50 minutes. Standardisation allows equal weight to be given to each test, despite the differing exam conditions.
These scores are also adjusted based on students' age at the time they sit the exam. A student born at the start of the school year in September, may be almost 12 months older than someone born in August. When sitting the exam, this may give the older student an unfair advantage. To provide content, children are exposed to new vocabulary at the rate of more than 1,000 words per year. The difference can be very significant for the entrance exams.
To combat this younger students are ‘awarded’ extra marks to make up for their age. For example, if two students achieved the same ‘raw score’, the older student may end up with a standardised score of 118 and the younger a score of 121.
One of the common misconceptions with Standardised Age Scores, is that older students will have marks deducted due to their age. This is not the case. Younger students may gain additional marks, but older students will never lose marks because of their age.
The Standardised Age Scores are also mapped to a distribution curve. Achieving a SAS of 100 places a student as exactly average for their year group. A score of 120 or above places a child in the top 10% of students in their year. We recommend aiming for a SAS of at least 115 when completing Atom Learning Mock Tests. For entry into more competitive Independent and Grammar schools, aim for a score of 120+ in mock tests.
