Understanding assessment
Clear answers for parents.
Plain-English guides to assessment: what scores mean, what different kinds of assessment can and can’t tell you, and how to use results at home and school.
Understanding scores
What does a standard score actually mean?
Many standardised assessments use a score scale with an average of 100, but not every test does. Move the slider, or try Sam's results.
About 14 in every 100 children the same age would score at or below this level.
Every score has a margin of error, so reports give a range rather than a single point. Labels vary between tests; your report uses the instrument's own.
Educational or psychological?
Two kinds of assessment, two different questions.
Both are valuable. Knowing which question you’re asking helps you choose the right professional, first time.
What is my child achieving, and what should we do next?
- Measures reading, writing and maths against children of the same age
- Offers a separate view of cognitive performance patterns through Wadmore profiling
- Explains results in plain English
- Can help identify practical next steps; a written plan and Teacher Action Brief are included only in selected services
Does my child have a specific condition?
- Assesses for conditions such as a specific learning disorder or ADHD
- Can provide a formal diagnosis
- Some schools and agencies request specific evidence; requirements differ
- We’ll help you find the right professional, and use their findings afterwards
Guides for parents
More guides coming soon.
How to read an assessment report
What each section tells you, and the questions worth asking.
Talking with your child’s teacher
How to share findings and agree a plan together.
School adjustments and SACE
How schools decide on adjustments and special provisions.
Preparing your child
Simple, positive ways to explain an assessment.