Selecting ITED Test Levels

Level 15 of the tests is intended primarily for students in grade 9; Level 16, primarily for students in grade 10; and Level 17/18, primarily for students in grades 11 and 12. Students whose developmental level differs markedly from the average for their grade, however, may find that the level of the tests designated for their grade is either too difficult and frustrating or too easy and not sufficiently challenging. To provide for more accurate measurement of the achievement of such students, schools may choose to assign them to the level of the test that seems most appropriate to their skills, regardless of their grade. It is expected that this "functional level testing" of individuals will find its most frequent application for students who are below average in skills development. The "ceilings" on the tests for all levels are high enough to measure the achievement of all but the most exceptional, high-achieving students. The standard scores and the percentile ranks are comparable for the three levels.

Deciding whether certain students would be better tested with a different test level than the one ordinarily taken by students in their grade is essentially a subjective process. It is a decision that should be made on the basis of the overall ability and attitude of each such student and an examination of the test content. Consideration of these students' achievement test results from previous years may provide additional guidance.

All levels of each test require the same amount of time, and thus they may be administered simultaneously in the same classroom or grade grouping. The directions read by the teacher have also been designed to accommodate this situation. When administering the tests to a group in which two or three different levels are being taken, care must be exercised to ensure that all students have been given the answer folders appropriate for their test levels.