Cognitive abilities underpin the ease and speed with which pupils can grasp new concepts and ideas across the curriculum. These Nonverbal Abilities Tests give a standardised measure of cognitive abilities which is largely independent of pupils' language skills, and provide an objective indicator of individual pupil potential which can help to establish appropriate expectations. The tests will also help to identify underachievers and pupils needing learning support, while allowing teachers to 'benchmark' new intakes, review value added and evaluate school performance. The tests are especially useful for assessing groups of wide chronological age and ability, making them ideal for quick screening and as a guide to grouping for teaching. Two overlapping tests cover ages 6-10 and 8-13, and can be used at any time during the school year: each test takes about 55 minutes to administer to a full class, at a pace determined by the teacher. All items are objectively scored, and norms - derived from a UK-wide standardisation sample of more than 14000 pupils - are provided as standardised scores (quotients) and percentiles.
The Nonverbal Abilities Tests give a useful guide to pupil potential in maths and science, as well as subjects demanding symbolic representation and spatial-visual skills. These tests are also ideal for assessing pupils with reading difficulties and pupils for whom English is a second language. The parallel Verbal Abilities Tests are also available from H&S.