Counselors
coordinate &
supervise all county, state, and
nationally normed standardized tests
-
Please avoid scheduling appointments and trips during testing dates.
-
All
tests are scheduled in the morning, please arrive promptly.
2007-2008 COBB COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT TESTING SCHEDULE
2007-2008
Cognitive Abilities
Test*
- 8th Grade
September 26-27
Iowa Test of Basic Skills - 8th Grade
October 1-5
Georgia
Writing Assessment - 8th Grade
January 16
CRCT Testing - 6th, 7th
& 8th Grades
April 23-May 2
*System Required Testing
INTERPRETING TEST SCORES
compiled by the
Dickerson Counselors 
Standardized testing is
administered to students at each grade level from Kindergarten through 8th
grade. Types and times of testing differ depending on the child's grade level.
Why Do We Test?
- To identify the strengths and
weaknesses in the educational development of each student
- To aid teachers and administrators
in instructional planning
- To aid educators and the public in
evaluating the educational program
Types of Tests
- Norm-Reference Tests (ex.
Iowa Tests of Basic Skills - given in 8th grade); Norm-referenced tests
measure how well a student performs in relation to a particular group (ex.
across the nation, in the state).
- Ability Tests (ex. Cognitive
Ability Test - given in 8th grade) Ability tests measure the potential to
learn new tasks.
- Criterion Reference Tests (ex.
CRCT - given in 6th, 7th and 8th grade) Criterion referenced tests measure
specific skills, such as reading, math, etc.

What Do These Scores Mean?
- Grade Equivalent (GE). The
Grade Equivalent is a growth score that indicates the grade level at which
the typical student in that grade makes a particular score. The first digit
represents the grade and the second digit represents the month in which a
typical student at that level earns the score. A GE score does not indicate
the student could actually do academic work at that level. For example, a GE
of 6.2 means that your child scored as well as a child in 6th grade, 2nd
month of school would have scored had they taken the same test as your
child. The GE is a good score to look at when measuring your child's
progress. Look at the GE from last year's test and compare it to the GE of
this year's test - it should show growth!

- National Stanines (NS). This
score is a general indicator of a student's level of development. Stanines
are clusters of percentile ranks that range from 1 up to 9. Stanines 1, 2, 3
are the lower range stanines; stanines 4, 5, 6 are the average range
stanines; and stanines 7, 8, 9 are the higher stanines.
- Percentile Rank (NPR - National
Percentile Rank). This score indicates the status of relative standing
of a student in comparison with other students. The following chart might be
helpful:
LOW
AVERAGE
HIGH
0 -
25%ile 26 - 74%ile
75 - 99%ile
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