Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT)
News & Announcements
Please note that the Mathematics Blueprints have been updated to align to the 2016 Mathematics Standards of Learning.
Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT) is part of the Virginia Department of Education’s continuing efforts to improve the testing experience for students. A CAT is an assessment that is customized for every student. How a student responds to a question determines the difficulty of the next item. A correct response leads to a more difficult item, while an incorrect response results in the selection of a less difficult item for the student.
Watch the videos to learn how computer adaptive testing provides students with a customized assessment experience.
A Guide to Computer Adaptive Testing - This video explains the basic principle for how computer adaptive testing works.
Computer Adaptive Testing in Virginia - This video provides information about computer adaptive testing in Virginia.
Computer Adaptive Tests in Mathematics
The online grades 3-8 Mathematics SOL tests will be administered as computer adaptive tests. The test blueprints contain information for two types of tests, the online CAT and the traditional paper test.
- Grade 3 Mathematics Test Blueprint (Word)
- Grade 4 Mathematics Test Blueprint (Word)
- Grade 5 Mathematics Test Blueprint (Word)
- Grade 6 Mathematics Test Blueprint (Word)
- Grade 7 Mathematics Test Blueprint (Word)
- Grade 8 Mathematics Test Blueprint (Word)
Resources
- Comparison of a Mathematics Computer Adaptive Test and a Traditional Test (Word)
- Frequently Asked Questions about Mathematics Computer Adaptive Testing (Word)
Computer Adaptive Tests in Reading
The online grades 3-8 Reading SOL tests will be administered using CAT. The test blueprints contain information for two types of tests, the online CAT and the traditional paper test.
- Grade 3 Reading Test Blueprint (Word)
- Grade 4 Reading Test Blueprint (Word)
- Grade 5 Reading Test Blueprint (Word)
- Grade 6 Reading Test Blueprint (Word)
- Grade 7 Reading Test Blueprint (Word)
- Grade 8 Reading Test Blueprint (Word)