About Us
APT was developed to assist families get the best understanding of their child's academic ability using an assessment that can be taken at home. We work with a range of experts, from former headteachers to assessment specialists to ensure we take an accurate measure of each candidate's unique learning ability.
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Understanding APT Results
APT is a sophisticated test that compares candidates against their peers. Having a good understanding of the results profile is important to get the most from your assessment
There is always support available and if you need it and if you wish to speak to an expert, contact us and we will put you in touch with our own education assessment specialists.
Standard Age Scores
The Standard Age Score (SAS) is the main measurement we derive from the APT. It is commonly used in standardised assessments to account for the candidate’s age and the difficulty of the questions they have answered. The SAS is calculated by taking the performance score, adjusting it for age and placing it on a scale that compares performance against a representative sample of candidates who have taken the same test.
An average score is 100. Most candidates score between 90 – 110, this is commonly referred to as the ‘normal range’. Candidates scoring higher than 110 are statistically stronger than others of the same age; and those scoring less than 90 are weaker than their peers. The lowest score is 50, and the highest is 150.
The Stanine (ST) places the candidate’s score on a scale of
1 (low) to 9 (high) and offers a broad overview of his or her performance.
CAT Equivalent Scores
The APT scores can be adjusted to provide an indicative score on UK national assessments such as GL Assessment’s CAT (4th Ed.) and Cambridge Assessment’s Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring (CEM).
Many UK schools use these assessments to monitor student progress and learning performance. An approximate score is provided as part of APT’s report to help schools apply APT scores to their internal academic measures. CAT scores are also standardised like the APT, so a score of 100 in this column would indicate an average score in a nationally standardised assessment. A CAT equivalent score in the range of 108-112 indicates a typical UK independent school score.
The Overall Score
The Overall Score is an average of the candidate’s English, Maths, Verbal and Non-Verbal Standard Age Scores. It is a broad indicator of their performance in the APT.
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An average independent school student would score 100 in this assessment; the highest mark is 150, and the lowest is 50.
APT Subjects
Learn more about APT Subjects
The APT consists of four subjects; English, Maths, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Each subject consists of a wide range of tasks and assesses multiple skills in that area.
English
Including grammar, comprehension and language skills
Verbal Reasoning
Looking at logic and problem solving using codes and patterns
Maths
Including computation, story problems, algebra and geometry
Non-Verbal Reasoning
Assessing problem solving using image and spatial awareness
English
This section assesses command of the English language and tests comprehension, grammar, spelling and punctuation. Comprehension tasks will consist of questions on a short piece of fiction or non-fiction to assess how well the candidate understands the text.
Candidates need a good grasp of English and have a wide vocabulary, but equally important is their ability to read questions carefully, remain calm and work within the time limits.
Questions look into the meaning and use of words – and whether candidates can derive meaning from contextual clues by interpreting texts and analysing information.
Reading (and writing) in a variety of different styles and genres, and a broadening your vocabulary – with synonyms (similar words) and antonyms (opposites) - is beneficial preparation for this section.
Maths
The maths test is designed to see how well a candidate understands numbers and can solve mathematical problems.
The maths section is based on expected skills taught in the UK National Curriculum up to Year 11 (GCSEs). It will include questions that assess:
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Number - which will include decimals, percentages and fractions as well as the four basic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division).
Algebra - which will include equations and formulae.
Shape and space (geometry) - which will include volume, area, co-ordinates and nets.
Data handling - which will focus on statistics and probability, the idea of chance and averages.
Some maths skills are assessed as part of the verbal reasoning tests and include number sequencing, completing the sum and inferring how numbers are related. Maths is a fundamental academic skill that underpins many other subjects and specialisms; we also expect maths performance to affect other reasoning skills such as VR and NVR.
Verbal Reasoning
The verbal reasoning (VR) section is intended to test a candidate’s ability to understand and reason using words, and are a test of skill, rather than of learned knowledge. It involves thinking about text, solving word problems, following written instructions to come up with a solution, spotting letter sequences and cracking letter and number based codes.
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Verbal reasoning is often seen as the underlying skill for critical thinking, problem solving and ultimately, intelligence and often makes up a large proportion of an IQ test. The majority of verbal reasoning questions are word-based but some are based on numbers.
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For example, a question might ask to provide the next number in a sequence (1, 5, 9, 13…), or where you have to solve a sum where the numbers are represented by letters (so if A=1, B=2, C=3, D=4 and so on, C+A=4). Although these questions require maths, the main principle is to test the candidate’s ability to solve problems based on written instructions.
Non-Verbal Reasoning
Non-verbal reasoning (NVR) is best described as problem-solving using pictures, diagrams and shapes (rather than words). Unlike verbal reasoning, these tasks are not reliant on the candidate’s mastery of the English language; rather, the questions use drawings, shapes or codes, and the candidate is expected to work out sequences, similarities and differences between these images.
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NVR tasks are designed to assess critical thinking and problem-solving using logic. They indicate the potential of a candidate’s broader mathematical capabilities and their powers of deduction.
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Candidates will benefit from a good understanding of mathematical concepts such as symmetry, rotation, direction and shape. NVR skills are often seen in people with good spatial awareness, those who can easily orientate themselves in maps or follow visual diagrams. Like Verbal Reasoning, NVR is used as an indicator of academic potential and intelligence rather than a measure of learned knowledge or facts.
Our Partners
APT is proud to be working along side these teams
Atom Learning
Innovative and sophisticated adaptive learning platform
Atom's mission is accelerate teachers, parents and pupils’ realisation of the power of technology to radically increase efficiency and boost learner outcomes.
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Favoured by schools, Atom's goal is to combine the highest quality teacher-made content with sophisticated technology that adapts to individual pupil attainment in a fun, navigable and engaging way.
The English Education
Experienced and holistic education guidance from school experts
The English Education provides the highest quality personalised service, working closely with parents and guardians to ensure that the right school is chosen for each and every individual.
Advice and guidance is provided by former independent school heads and highly experienced education experts across assessment, tutoring and admissions
The Intac Network
Supporting the delivery of digital assessments worldwide
The International Assessment Centre (Intac) Network is supporting assessments and the safe delivery of their tests across the world.
Intac is on a mission to build a network of high-quality, secure test sites for candidates to take exams safely and with professional invigilation. Intac offers its partners peace of mind in ensuring their assessments are administered to the highest standards