Differential Aptitude Tests Results Feedback

Why we do the DATs? Help students to choose educational and career options on the basis of strengths and weaknesses. Help students to choose educational and career options on the basis of strengths and weaknesses. Help students to understand better why they do well/poorly in some subjects. Help students to understand better why they do well/poorly in some subjects. Broaden student’s horizons by suggesting new and expanded career options consistent with tested abilities. Broaden student’s horizons by suggesting new and expanded career options consistent with tested abilities. Raise the level of occupational aspirations or change their direction. Raise the level of occupational aspirations or change their direction. Motivate an underachiever by identifying strengths that were unrecognised or underestimated. Motivate an underachiever by identifying strengths that were unrecognised or underestimated. Supplementing existing achievement data to facilitate admission to educational courses or apprenticeships. Supplementing existing achievement data to facilitate admission to educational courses or apprenticeships. For the experience, some courses/careers have similar type tests. For the experience, some courses/careers have similar type tests.

Explanation of Percentile Rank Places a pupil’s ability on a scale from Places a pupil’s ability on a scale from The point at which the scores fall shows the pupil’s position compared with others of the same age. The point at which the scores fall shows the pupil’s position compared with others of the same age. E.g. A score falling at percentile rank 38 would show that a pupil is better than 38% of the population of pupils of the same age. E.g. A score falling at percentile rank 38 would show that a pupil is better than 38% of the population of pupils of the same age. 62% would be expected to achieve higher scores. 62% would be expected to achieve higher scores. A score falling at percentile rank 30 would show that the pupil’s performance on that test was weaker than 70% of the population of pupils of the same age. A score falling at percentile rank 30 would show that the pupil’s performance on that test was weaker than 70% of the population of pupils of the same age.

The Bell Curve Bell Curve Diagram

Aptitude Tendency; Inclination Tendency; Inclination Natural Ability Natural Ability Readiness to Learn Readiness to Learn Personal Strengths/Weaknesses Personal Strengths/Weaknesses

What is Measured? Verbal Reasoning Verbal Reasoning Numerical Reasoning Numerical Reasoning Abstract Reasoning Abstract Reasoning Perceptual Speed and Accuracy Perceptual Speed and Accuracy Mechanical Reasoning Mechanical Reasoning Space Relations Space Relations Spelling Spelling Language Usage Language Usage {Educational Aptitude} {Educational Aptitude}

Verbal Reasoning This test measures the ability to reason with words and to think logically. This test measures the ability to reason with words and to think logically. Important for work involving communicating ideas or understanding written material. Important for work involving communicating ideas or understanding written material. Highly important in academic courses. Highly important in academic courses. Sample Careers/courses; Law, Journalism, Social Work, Arts, European Studies, Media, P.R., Advertising, Education…. Sample Careers/courses; Law, Journalism, Social Work, Arts, European Studies, Media, P.R., Advertising, Education…. Sample subjects; English, History, Languages…. Sample subjects; English, History, Languages….

Numerical Reasoning Measures the ability to reason with numbers and to deal intelligently with quantitative measures. Measures the ability to reason with numbers and to deal intelligently with quantitative measures. In order to ensure that the reasoning rather than the computational facility is stressed, the computational level of the problem is low. In order to ensure that the reasoning rather than the computational facility is stressed, the computational level of the problem is low. Sample careers/courses; Finance, Science, Accounting, Banking, Architecture, Engineering…. Sample careers/courses; Finance, Science, Accounting, Banking, Architecture, Engineering…. Sample subjects; Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Applied Maths, Accounting, Economics…. Sample subjects; Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Applied Maths, Accounting, Economics….

Abstract Reasoning Non-Verbal/Non-Numerical measure of reasoning power. Non-Verbal/Non-Numerical measure of reasoning power. It assesses how well one can reason with geometric figures or designs. It assesses how well one can reason with geometric figures or designs. Sample careers/courses; Engineer, Doctor, Scientist, Musician, Software Design, Teacher, Computer Programmer, Mechanic, Management… Sample careers/courses; Engineer, Doctor, Scientist, Musician, Software Design, Teacher, Computer Programmer, Mechanic, Management… Sample Subjects; Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Music, History, Art… Sample Subjects; Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Music, History, Art…

Perceptual Speed & Accuracy Measures the ability to compare and mark written lists quickly and accurately. Measures the ability to compare and mark written lists quickly and accurately. Test items do not call for reasoning skills the emphasis is on speed. Test items do not call for reasoning skills the emphasis is on speed. Important for scientific or technical work where precision is necessary. Important for scientific or technical work where precision is necessary. Sample careers/courses; I.T. Lab. Technician, Office Administration, Surgeon, Forensics….. Sample careers/courses; I.T. Lab. Technician, Office Administration, Surgeon, Forensics….. Sample subjects; Important in all subjects but the main challenge occurs at examinations. Sample subjects; Important in all subjects but the main challenge occurs at examinations. This score may have implications regarding all the others This score may have implications regarding all the others

Mechanical Reasoning Measures the ability to understand basic mechanical principles of machinery, tools and motion, and the laws of everyday physics Measures the ability to understand basic mechanical principles of machinery, tools and motion, and the laws of everyday physics Sample careers/courses; Engineer, Mechanic, Electrician, Technician, Science, Product Design… Sample careers/courses; Engineer, Mechanic, Electrician, Technician, Science, Product Design… Sample subjects; Physics, Applied Maths… Sample subjects; Physics, Applied Maths…

Space Relations Measures the ability to visualise a three- dimensional object from a two-dimensional pattern and to visualise how this object would look if rotated in space. Measures the ability to visualise a three- dimensional object from a two-dimensional pattern and to visualise how this object would look if rotated in space. Sample careers/ courses; Art, Design, Architecture, Engineering, Carpentry, Dentistry, Photography, Fashion Design…. Sample careers/ courses; Art, Design, Architecture, Engineering, Carpentry, Dentistry, Photography, Fashion Design…. Sample subjects; Art, Home Economics, Technical Graphics… Sample subjects; Art, Home Economics, Technical Graphics…

Spelling Measures ability to spell common English words. Measures ability to spell common English words. This is a basic skill necessary in many academic and vocational pursuits, especially in courses requiring written reports. This is a basic skill necessary in many academic and vocational pursuits, especially in courses requiring written reports.

Language Usage Measures the ability to detect errors in grammar, punctuation and capitalization. Measures the ability to detect errors in grammar, punctuation and capitalization. Sample careers/ courses; Writing, Teaching and almost all University courses. Sample careers/ courses; Writing, Teaching and almost all University courses. Sample subjects; All subjects, all exams Sample subjects; All subjects, all exams Language Usage and Spelling are included in the DAT because the skills they measure are important in so many areas of education and work. Language Usage and Spelling are included in the DAT because the skills they measure are important in so many areas of education and work.

Educational Aptitude Verbal Reasoning and Numerical Reasoning combined. Verbal Reasoning and Numerical Reasoning combined. This score provides the best general measure of educational aptitude or the ability to learn from books and Teachers and to perform well in academic subjects. This score provides the best general measure of educational aptitude or the ability to learn from books and Teachers and to perform well in academic subjects.

Subject Choice Your choice of subjects should include those subjects; Which are required/necessary to get into your intended course(s) or career. Which are required/necessary to get into your intended course(s) or career. Which you are interested in and prepared to work at… a particular grade at a particular level may be required. Which you are interested in and prepared to work at… a particular grade at a particular level may be required. Which suit your particular strengths and talents. Which suit your particular strengths and talents. Which will help you to gain sufficient points to get into your chosen course. Which will help you to gain sufficient points to get into your chosen course.

Subject Groups Language Group; Irish, English, French, Spanish. Language Group; Irish, English, French, Spanish. Science Group; Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Science Group; Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Applied Maths Biology, Applied Maths Business Group; Business, Economics, Business Group; Business, Economics, Accountancy Accountancy Social Studies Group; Art (including crafts), Music, Social Studies Group; Art (including crafts), Music, Home Economics (Social and Scientific) Home Economics (Social and Scientific) Humanities Group; History, Geography, Religious Humanities Group; History, Geography, Religious Education, Classical Studies Education, Classical Studies

Essential Subjects There are very few essential subjects. There are very few essential subjects. English, Maths and Irish are compulsory subjects (unless an Irish exemption has been granted). English, Maths and Irish are compulsory subjects (unless an Irish exemption has been granted). Studying a modern language is also highly advisable especially in keeping options open for university. Required by NUIM,NUIG, UCC and UCD, but not all faculties! Studying a modern language is also highly advisable especially in keeping options open for university. Required by NUIM,NUIG, UCC and UCD, but not all faculties! Science is required for Medicine (2)veterinary and dentistry also require 2, most science, engineering, pharmaceutical and dietetics courses. Science is required for Medicine (2)veterinary and dentistry also require 2, most science, engineering, pharmaceutical and dietetics courses. Pupils may then choose their other subjects. Points will be calculated using the best 6 results. Pupils may then choose their other subjects. Points will be calculated using the best 6 results. Students take 7 subjects, 3 core plus 4 optional. Students take 7 subjects, 3 core plus 4 optional.

Avoid these ideas! None of my friends are doing that subject; so I’m not doing it. None of my friends are doing that subject; so I’m not doing it. Only boys do well in that. Only boys do well in that. It’s an easy ‘A’. It’s an easy ‘A’. If I don’t do it for L.C. then I can’t do it in college. If I don’t do it for L.C. then I can’t do it in college. Doing 8 subjects will give me a better chance/more options. Doing 8 subjects will give me a better chance/more options. I’m already good at it so I will not need to do much work. I’m already good at it so I will not need to do much work.

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